M6:16 — چونک نگذارد سگ آن نعرهٔ سقم / من مهم سیران خود را چون هلم

Translation: Since the dog does not cease its sickness-inducing cry, how can I abandon my own travelers on their journey? Meaning: Rumi, likening himself to the moon, asserts that just as the moon continues to illuminate despite the barking of dogs, he will not cease guiding his spiritual seekers due to the clamor of detractors.

This verse presents one of the clearest allegories in the Masnavi for the unwavering resolve of the spiritual seeker and guide. Here, Rumi likens himself to the moon—the very badr (full moon) he mentions in the preceding verse (M6:15)—and portrays dogs as symbols of critics, detractors, or any negative force aiming to disrupt the spiritual path. Rumi's rhetorical question is poignant: Does the moon cease its journey and luminescence because of the clamor of barking dogs? Unquestionably, no.

I interpret this, as Rumi himself states, as an expression of the principle, 'Each acts according to its own nature.' Divine providence and management have assigned a specific role to every being, testing its essence in accordance with that calling. The dog, by its very nature, barks—a cry Rumi labels a 'cry of sickness' (naʿra-ye saqm), meaning harmful and distressing to the soul. Yet, the moon, by its nature, sheds light and continues its journey. One cannot eliminate the dogs from the world to leave only the moons; good and ill, wrath and grace, all coexist in a cosmic balance.

This is a profound point in Rumi's worldview: not only do both 'good' and 'bad' phenomena exist in the world, but they are created in a specific relationship and equilibrium. The famous analogy of Sekanjabin (oxymel) (M6:17-18), which Rumi offers immediately after these verses, corroborates this. In Sekanjabin, vinegar (symbolizing divine wrath and hardships) and honey (symbolizing divine grace and sweetness) are both essential components. The wisdom of divine design dictates that these two be mixed to create a balanced and beneficial product. The 'vinegar' of the world, though seemingly detrimental, has its own reason for being, and in relation to the 'honey,' it finds its meaning and function. We cannot simply discard the vinegar and demand only honey.

It is for this reason that Rumi insists that in this world, divine wrath and grace—the vinegar and the honey—are always flowing. He, like the moon, bears the responsibility of illuminating and guiding his 'travelers' (sīrān), and the barks of dog-like detractors cannot, and should not, deter him from this duty. This steadfastness signifies an existential calm and an assurance in the perfect divine order, which prevents the spiritual guide from any anxiety or cessation.

Key takeaways

• The spiritual guide, like the moon, must not cease its illumination due to defamation or criticism.
• In Rumi's worldview, dogs and moons, good and ill, and divine wrath and grace coexist in an essential, balanced system.
• 'Each acts according to its own nature'; every being fulfills its inherent duty, regardless of others' judgments.
• The 'sickness-inducing' cries of critics lack the power to impede the illuminating journey of the seeker.
• This verse symbolizes the resolve, steadfastness, and trust in the divine path that a spiritual leader must embody.