M6:2086 — مه فشاند نور و سگ وع‌وع کند / سگ ز نور ماه کی مرتع کند‌؟

Translation: The moon scatters its light, and the dog barks; Can a dog ever graze upon the light of the moon? Meaning: This verse conveys that divine truth and light shine forth irrespective of ignorant or hostile opposition, for no one can harm or diminish it, just as a dog's barking has no effect on the moon.

This verse presents a pristine image from the Masnavi, showcasing the ineffectuality of ignorant hostilities against luminous truth. The moon (a symbol here for divine truth, sacred light, or the existence of God's friends) scatters its light, an act inherent to its being, ceaseless and unexpecting. In contrast, the dog barks; this too is inherent in its nature to react, even if that reaction is futile and without consequence.

The dog, in this parable, symbolizes a group of people whom Mawlana earlier refers to as 'bats' (khofashān) – those who yearn for the world's darkness and wish it were orphaned by the sun. But just as bats cannot extinguish the sun's light, so too this group cannot halt the light that shines upon the world from the Divine. Mawlana asks: Can a dog ever graze upon the moon's light? This is a rhetorical question, whose answer is unequivocally negative, simultaneously pointing to the utter ineffectualness of such opposition. The moon's light is not a dog's pasture; that is, the dog can neither consume it, nor harm it, nor divert it from its path. The moon pursues its course, unconcerned by the barking of dogs; just as truth follows its luminous path, unswayed by the clamor and commotion of adversaries.

Mawlana elucidates through this parable that everyone acts according to their inherent nature and disposition; the moon emits light because that is its essence, and the dog barks because that is its essence. But the moon does not cease its work, nor can the dog stop it. This signifies the undisputed authority of truth against any form of ignorance and obstinacy. This light is a light that comes from God, and as the Qur'an states, 'God is Exalted in Might, the Possessor of Retribution' (Q 3:4). God is mighty, and His glory is unshaken by anything. Even Satan's 'allurement' is by His leave and power, let alone the obstinacy of the ignorant. Therefore, this verse carries a decisive message of the impatience and disregard of God's friends and Truth itself towards hollow noises and meaningless clamor. They continue their work, never allowing such empty words to impede the radiance of truth.

Key takeaways

• Divine truth and light pursue their course, oblivious to ignorant opposition.
• The ineffectiveness of malice and obstinacy against the power and radiance of truth.
• Every being acts according to its inherent nature: the moon shines, the dog barks.
• The light of truth is neither consumable nor diminishable; it is not a pasture for dogs.
• Mawlana's reassuring message: the clamor of adversaries cannot harm the essence of Truth.