M6:2159 — چون درازی جنگ آمد ناخوشش / فیصل آن هر دو آمد آتشش

Translation: When the prolonging of the war became unpleasant to them both, Fire became the verdict for those two. Meaning: Mowlana recounts that when the conflict between Abraham and Nimrod became protracted and disagreeable, fire was ultimately chosen as the arbiter to resolve their dispute.

This verse is one of those sections in the Masnavi where Mowlana portrays contradiction and eternal conflict within the canvas of history, ultimately viewing these as manifestations that lead to divine knowledge. I have often stated that for Mowlana, history is the arena for the emergence of truth and falsehood, and it is this very contradiction and confrontation that ultimately unveils reality. Here, the discourse revolves around the conflict between Abraham, the Friend of God, and Nimrod; a war that, in Mowlana's view, much like the disputes of Cain and Abel or Moses and Pharaoh, is not merely a historical event but possesses a profound root in the structure of existence itself.

When the war between Abraham and Nimrod became protracted and disagreeable to both parties, earthly or human arbitration was no longer effective. At this juncture, the judgment was of a different kind; a verdict emanating from the unseen realm. Fire, which was Nimrod's instrument of torment, by divine decree, became the mediator and the decisive resolver of this conflict. Abraham was cast into the fire, yet for him, it became “coolness and peace,” harming him not in the least. This is the very point where Abraham's truthfulness became evident to all, and Nimrod's falsehood was exposed. Fire here is not merely a natural element; it is, in reality, a divine 'nukar' (servant or agent), a transcendent, overpowering force employed to resolve conflict and reveal the truth. Mowlana presents this event as proof that God, through natural forces and an unseen hand, brings historical wars and conflicts to an end, separating truth from falsehood.

It must not be forgotten that these stories, although narrated in historical contexts, always carry Mowlana's ultimate message: these contradictions are not solely external to us. Moses and Pharaoh, Abraham and Nimrod, all reside within us as well. It is this internal struggle between truth and falsehood that leads humanity to a deeper existential knowledge. The external fire is a symbol of the fire that must also ignite within us to reveal the hidden truths of our being.

Key takeaways

• History is the stage for the manifestation of truth and falsehood, where contradiction ultimately leads to divine knowledge.
• In primordial conflicts, when earthly judgment fails, the arbiter emerges from the unseen realm.
• Fire in this narrative is not merely a natural element; it is an agent ('nukar') of divine will, serving to reveal truth.
• Stories of prophets and tyrants are not just historical events; they reflect the internal struggles within every human being.