M6:2983 — بود جنسیت در ادریس از نجوم / هشت سال او با زحل بد در قدوم

Translation: Idris possessed a kindredness (jinsiyyat) with the stars (najoom), For eight years he was in the company (qodum) of Saturn (Zuhal). Meaning: This verse speaks to the deep affinity and shared essence of the Prophet Idris with the celestial realm, illustrating how, due to this profound kinship, he kept extended company with the planets, including Saturn.

I hold that in this verse, Mowlana, through a wondrous narrative, elucidates one of the most fundamental laws of existence: the principle of "kindredness" (jinsiyyat) and "affinity." This is the very axiom that states, "Pigeon flies with pigeon, falcon with falcon." Mowlana previously noted that "The careless draws the careless; for in reason, they are of the same kind;" here, he expands this principle to cosmic dimensions.

Idris is a figure whose name appears in the Quran and is known in the Torah as Enoch or Akhnukh. Numerous legends and myths surround him; some equate him with the Prophet Elijah, while others consider him to be "Hermes," the wise keeper of secrets from ancient Greece, from whose name even the word "hermeneutics" is derived. These mythologies have enveloped Idris in a shroud of mystery, and Mowlana, true to his style, heightens the intensity of these legends to convey a deeper point.

The essential point is that Idris, due to his "kindredness" and intrinsic affinity with the realm of astrology (najoom), becomes an intimate companion and confidant of the stars. He not only sits with them but teaches them and shares the secrets of the universe with them. "For eight years he was in the company of Saturn (Zuhal)" indicates his long and profound association with the planets. Saturn, or Keyvan, in ancient beliefs, was considered an inauspicious and unlucky star, in contrast to Jupiter, or Hormoz, which was deemed auspicious and fortunate. This reference to Saturn is not merely a naming but demonstrates Mowlana's mastery of traditional astrology and its symbolism. Idris keeps company with Saturn despite its inauspicious nature, because jinsiyyat, or deep affinity, transcends such classifications.

Mowlana further creates an imaginative tableau where, after Idris's "absence" (ghaybat) and return to Earth, the stars "arranged in neat rows" and "present themselves" to receive lessons in astrology from him. These words, though seemingly strange at first glance, carry profound meaning within the context of Mowlana's mythology and worldview. It is this "attraction of kindredness" that draws the stars from the heavens to Idris's presence.

This communion of Idris with the stars reminds us of the Pythagorean theory of the "music of the spheres," a theory Mowlana also alludes to elsewhere: "The wise said, 'These melodies / We took from the revolving of the spheres.'" According to this view, planets revolve in a specific order, creating a subtle music that is the root of earthly music. Therefore, the song of the stars is the melody of angels and heavenly music, which in this world also makes our states heavenly. It is here that we understand why Idris can converse with the stars and teach astrology; he is listening to and transmitting that very "universal music" that emanates from the heavens to Earth.

Key takeaways

• The principle of jinsiyyat (kindredness or 'like attracts like') is a fundamental law of existence, illuminated in this verse.
• Idris symbolizes an existential communion between humanity and the cosmos; due to his intrinsic affinity, he can associate with and teach the stars.
• The mention of 'Zuhal' (Saturn), despite its inauspicious nature in traditional astrology, highlights the power of jinsiyyat to transcend superficial classifications.
• Idris's teaching of the stars reflects the Pythagorean theory of the 'music of the spheres,' where planetary orbits produce an eternal cosmic melody.
• The diverse narratives surrounding Idris (from the Quran to Hermes) illustrate Mowlana's use of ancient myths to convey profound mystical truths.