M6:2819 — آن یکی گفت ای گروه فن‌فروش / هست خاصیت مرا اندر دو گوش

Translation: One of them said: "O group of skill-peddlers, I possess a special quality in my two ears." Meaning: The first thief addresses his companions, claiming a unique ability residing in his ears.

This verse is situated within the tale of 'The King and the Night Thieves,' a narrative Maulana employs to illuminate the hidden presence of Truth amidst human heedlessness. A King, symbolizing divine and absolute sovereignty, ventures incognito among a band of thieves engaged in their nocturnal pilfering. This 'night' represents the darkness of oblivion in our worldly existence, and the 'thieves' are humanity, each occupied with their various deeds, good or ill, yet unaware of the King's presence. The King, much like God, is among them, observing; however, the order of the night must not be disturbed until the destined 'day' arrives, when all veils will be lifted.

Within this allegorical setting, one of the thieves, addressing his companions as a 'group of skill-peddlers' (fan-forūsh), boasts of his unique 'quality' (khāsiyat) or special art. The terms farhang and fan here denote 'skill,' 'trick,' 'cunning,' or 'deception'—acquired, often superficial abilities that humans pride themselves on in this shadowy world. This particular thief claims that a special faculty resides within his two ears, distinguishing him. In the subsequent verse, he clarifies this ability as hearing and understanding the barking of dogs, a skill that the other thieves immediately dismiss as trivial and worthless.

Maulana, through this anecdote, distinctly draws a contrast between the limited human capacities (which, even if residing in the ear, remain confined to hearing superficial, animalistic sounds) and the absolute, all-encompassing power and knowledge of the Truth. The 'skill-peddling' of humans appears paltry against the omnipresent awareness of the King, who observes all their actions and intentions. The thieves, puffed up by their 'arts,' wander in the darkness of heedlessness, oblivious that the true 'Eye' and 'Ear' of the Sovereign are awake among them—an Eye that sees all their nocturnal deeds and an Ear that hears all whispers, even the barking of dogs.

Key takeaways

• This tale serves as an allegory for the hidden divine presence observing human actions in the world.
• The term 'skill-peddler' (fan-forūsh) is an allusion to humans who boast of their limited and often superficial worldly abilities.
• Earthly skills, however unique, are trivial and insignificant compared to the absolute knowledge of Truth.
• The 'ear' in this context is presented not as a means for mystical insight, but as a superficial sense for perceiving inconsequential matters.