M6:2167 — هم نکر سازید بر قارون ز کین / در حلیمی این زمین پوشید کین

Translation: He (God) also set the earth as an instrument (nakar) against Qarun, out of cunning; for in its forbearance, this earth concealed its wrath. Meaning: This verse illustrates how divine wrath can invert the nature of things, turning the inherently patient and humble earth into an instrument of vengeance against the arrogant Qarun.

Mowlana, in this section of the Masnavi, presents history as a stage for conflicts that ultimately lead to divine knowledge, exemplified by the clashes between Abel and Cain, Moses and Pharaoh, and here, Qarun and the earth. In this particular beyt, he refers to the fate of Qarun (Korah), the arrogant rich man who was swallowed by the earth through divine wrath. I maintain that this verse offers a profound lesson on the transformation of the nature of things when confronted with the will of the Almighty.

The word "nakar" in this verse has been a point of contention among commentators of the Masnavi, as it is not found in dictionaries. I concur with Nicholson, the English commentator, that "nakar" here means "nowkar" (servant or instrument). This implies that God employed the earth as an instrument to execute His wrath against the clever and cunning Qarun.

The crucial point here is the earth's "ḥilmi" (forbearance). The earth has always been a symbol of humility and patience; we walk upon it, we trample it, and it never complains. As it is said elsewhere: "I reached a renunciant on humble soil; I asked him to cleanse me from ignorance through discipline. He said: 'Go, be patient like the earth, O jurist, Or bury all you have learned beneath the soil.'"

Yet, Mowlana states that this very patient and forbearing earth concealed a hidden "kin" (wrath or vengeance) within itself; a wrath that was activated by divine command. This "kin" signifies anger and retribution. In other words, God, in His moment of wrath, transformed the earth's patience into fury. This underscores a point I have often emphasized: when divine wrath descends upon something, its very nature is altered.

I have previously cited similar examples: bread, which sustains the body and wards off hunger, can become like "khanāq" (diphtheria) and choke a person if divine wrath infuses it. Or warm clothing, which offers "mujīr" (shelter) from the cold, can acquire the "temperament of zamharīr" (extreme cold) if touched by divine will, causing one to shiver. These instances demonstrate that objects do not possess immutable qualities; rather, it is God's will that flows through them, at times changing their very essence. The patient earth was transformed into the devourer of Qarun.

The story of Qarun is recounted in the Quran, where he and his treasures were swallowed by the earth. Hafez also alludes to this: "Qarun's treasure, which still sinks from (divine) wrath, You might have read that it is also from the jealousy of dervishes." Hafez refers to the "jealousy of dervishes," here specifically meaning the jealousy of Moses. Hafez's phrase "still sinks" also suggests the ancient belief that Qarun's treasure is ever-moving within the earth, continuously descending into deeper abysses. Mowlana, through this verse, conveys the same message: nothing is safe from divine wrath, and even nature itself is but an instrument before His grandeur.

Key takeaways

• Divine wrath can invert the very nature of things, turning them into instruments of divine will.
• The earth, a symbol of humility and patience, can become an instrument of divine vengeance against Qarun's tyranny and arrogance.
• Qarun's fate serves as a warning against pride and excessive wealth, which are susceptible to divine wrath.
• Mowlana interprets historical events as manifestations of conflicts that ultimately lead to divine knowledge.