Page:The Mesnevī (Volume 2).pdf/107

 The creative act of God brings our actions into existence: our actions are the effects of the creative act of God.

A rational being perceives either the letter (the outer sign) or the (inner) purpose (the spirit): how should he comprehend two accidents at once?

If he goes (turns his mind) to the spirit, he becomes unheedful of the letter: no eye sees forward and backward at the same moment.

At the time when you look in front, how at the same time can you look behind you? Recognise this.

Inasmuch as the soul does not comprehend (both) the letter and the spirit, how should the soul be the creator of them both?

O son, (only) God comprehends both: the (one) action does not hinder Him from the other action.

Satan said Because Thou hast seduced me: the vile Devil concealed his own act.

Adam said We have done wrong unto ourselves: he was not, like us, unheedful of the action of God.

From respect he concealed it (the action of God) in (regard to) the sin: by casting the sin upon himself he ate fruit (was blessed).

After his repentance, He (God) said to him, "O Adam, did not I create in thee that sin and (those) tribulations?

Was it not My foreordainment and destiny? How didst thou conceal that at the time of excusing thyself?"

He (Adam) said, "I was afraid, (so) I did not let respect go (did not fail to observe due respect)." He (God) said, "I too have observed it towards thee."

Whoever brings reverence gets reverence (in return): whoever brings sugar eats almond-cake.

For whom are ''the good women? For the good men.'' Treat thy friend with honour; offend (him) and see (what will happen). O heart, bring (forward) a parable for the sake of (illustrating) a difference, that thou mayst know (what distinguishes) compulsion from freewill. (Take the case of) a hand that is shaking from (morbid or involuntary) tremor and (the case of) a person whose hand you cause to shake (by knocking it away) from its place.

Know that both (these) movements are created by God, but it is impossible to compare the latter with the former.

You are sorry for having caused it (his hand) to shake: how is the man afflicted with (a morbid) tremor not sorry?

This is the intellectual quest. What is (the use of such a) quest, O ingenious one? That perchance (by its means) a man of weak understanding may find his way to that place (gain some idea of the truth).