M6:1870 — نوبت گرگست و یوسف زیر چاه / نوبت قبطست و فرعونست شاه

Translation: It is the turn of the wolf, and Joseph is in the well; / It is the turn of the Copt, and Pharaoh is king. Meaning: This verse describes the current chaotic and inverted state of the world, where oppressive and malevolent forces dominate, while the righteous and seekers of truth are in distress and weakness.

Mowlana, in this verse, offers a vivid depiction of the state of the world of multiplicity—a world where truth is veiled, goodness is cast into a well, and malevolence sits on the throne of power. This statement is not merely a complaint, but a profound narrative about the architecture of existence and its epochs, a theme I have frequently explored.

As I have stated before, Mowlana refers to this realm as the 'world of a hundred colors and a hundred hearts.' In this beyt, he says it is now the turn of the wolves, with Joseph cast into the well, and the turn of the Copts, with Pharaoh as king. These metaphors signify the dominance of satanic forces, materialists, and the ambitious over the pure-hearted and seekers of truth. Joseph and Truth are in the well of heedlessness and concealment, while wolves and Pharaohs rule the world with tyranny and self-will. This period is termed the 'turn of darkness' and 'night,' where the light of truth is hidden, and obscurity and multiplicity hold sway.

Yet, Mowlana never dwells on this bleak portrayal; instead, he frames this condition as temporary. He declares: 'So that for a few days these dogs may laugh scornfully with ungrudging sustenance.' This implies that these oppressors and world-lovers are granted but a brief opportunity to roam and indulge. This world is a realm of chaos and entanglement, where 'everything is intertwined and enmeshed, and everyone is left to their own devices.'

This particular verse serves as a prelude to another era: the advent of the 'lions of unity.' In subsequent verses, Mowlana speaks of lions lying in wait, anticipating God's 'command to advance,' to charge upon these 'piebald cows' (symbols of promoters of multiplicity and evil). At that time, 'the truth will openly reveal its input and output,' and the sun of divinity will shine upon the world. That day is the Day of Qiyamat, not in an astronomical sense, but as the day of the revelation of secrets, a day of complete transparency and the dawn of unity. On that day, the 'essence of humanity' (the Perfect Human) will encompass land and sea, and a unified humanity will govern the entire world, for humankind is fashioned in the image of God and is a comprehensive microcosm. Thus, this verse describes a stage in the journey, not the ultimate destiny; a night whose end is day.

Key takeaways

• This world is a realm of multiplicity and chaos, where the righteous are confined, and evildoers reign.
• The wolf and Pharaoh symbolize oppressive and materialistic forces currently in power.
• This dominance of tyranny is temporary, a phase in the cycles of existence, not a permanent state.
• Mowlana describes this state of affairs (ḥikāyat), rather than lamenting it (shikāyat).