M6:3284 — گفت گیرم بر منت رحمی نبود / طبع تو بر خود چرا استم نمود

Translation: He said: "Suppose you showed no mercy to me; why then did your own nature inflict cruelty upon itself?"

Meaning: Spoken by Moses (pbuh) to a stray, exhausted sheep, this verse poses a profound question: even if you showed no mercy to me, why did you inflict suffering upon your own being? This reflects the depth of Moses's compassion and foresight.

In the Masnavi, Rumi uses parables not merely for entertainment, but to cultivate and expand profound insights. This specific verse is nestled within the rich narrative of Moses and the lost sheep, a story that illuminates the very essence of prophecy. Moses, the shepherd of the Israelites, once pursued a lost sheep for miles across the desert until both were utterly exhausted. Any other person, in such a state of fatigue, would likely have been enraged, chastising the sheep. Yet, Moses, who—as Rumi notes—possessed a fiery and easily angered temperament, in his ultimate weariness, tenderly embraced and caressed the sheep. In that moment, he posed this profound question: "Suppose you showed no mercy to me; why then did your own nature inflict cruelty upon itself?"

The crucial point here is that Moses does not scold the sheep for its lack of mercy towards him, but rather questions why it brought suffering upon itself. The fatigue and distress the sheep inflicted upon itself was a form of self-tyranny. This particular phrasing of the question reveals the pinnacle of compassion and self-awareness. It is at this juncture that God addresses the angels, declaring: "This person is worthy of prophethood." This narrative, in essence, describes the most effective means of touching human hearts: the path of love, mercy, and compassion.

I have always emphasized that prophets did not penetrate hearts through displays of power or miracles. Miracles are "for the vanquishing of the foe"—a tool for asserting truth against recalcitrant enemies. But "the scent of affinity is for winning hearts." To attract and conquer hearts, one needs affinity, harmony, and the magnetism of love. Rumi, by narrating Pharaoh's words to Moses (that "be not proud of what you've created / casting terror into the hearts of people"), subtly imparts this very lesson: that the power of fear is not lasting, and "how can a friend be won by a constrained neck?" A friend cannot be gained by coercion or force, but only through kindness and love. A foundation built on fear and intimidation is "prone to decay," yet "the edifice of love, free from flaw," endures eternally. Through this act, Moses demonstrated that the roots of prophethood lie in a "loving therapy and a therapeutic love," not in domination and intimidation.

Key takeaways

• The essence of prophethood lies in compassion and mercy, not in displays of power or intimidation.
• The verse's question concerns "self-inflicted cruelty," reflecting the comprehensive and empathetic view of a perfected human being.
• Winning hearts and fostering genuine affection can only endure through love and kindness.
• The suffering or effort one imposes on oneself, even if it harms no other, is a form of tyranny against one's own nature.
• Acts stemming from profound mercy qualify an individual for high spiritual stations and leadership.