M1:288 — آن منافق با موافق در نماز / از پی استیزه آید نه نیاز

Translation: That hypocrite, with the believer, stands in prayer; / He comes for contention, not for sincere need. Meaning: This verse illustrates the profound difference between the outward act and the inner intention: a hypocrite and a sincere believer may perform the same ritual, but their motivations are fundamentally opposed, one seeking conflict and the other true devotion.

Mawlana, here as in many other instances throughout the Masnavi, unveils a profoundly significant truth: that the apparent similarity of actions never guarantees an underlying spiritual unity. The outward form of things can be identical, yet their essence, spirit, and intention can differ as much as heaven from earth. This is the fatal error that leads so many astray.

I have said this repeatedly: "The entire world went astray for this reason; / Few came to know the truly transformed ones (abdāl)." People observe that prophets are also human, they sleep and eat, and so they assume there is no difference between them and themselves. But Mawlana states unequivocally: "There is an infinite difference between them." This error of judging the inner by the outer stems from a blindness (ʿamā).

Mawlana brings brilliant examples to clarify this distinction: two bees feed from the same flower, but one yields a sting, the other honey. Two deer graze on the same pasture, but one produces dung and the other pure musk. Even two reeds drink from the same water source, but one is empty and hollow, while the other is full of sugar. All these demonstrate that neither the source nor the appearance dictates the inner reality.

This principle holds true even for "food." The same sustenance, in one soul, can generate avarice and envy, and in another, the love of the One (ʿishq-e Aḥad). Just as the Quran states, the Quran is a healing and mercy for believers, but it only adds loss for the wrongdoers. A single food, in two different temperaments, yields two entirely different outcomes. It is the factory of one's being that determines what product the raw material becomes.

The verse we are discussing stands at the apex of this distinction between outer and inner. Mawlana states that infidels (kāfirān) in argumentation (marā') are ape-like in nature (bōzīne-ṭabʿ); that is, they are given to outward imitation. They think their action is like that of another, but this is merely a similarity in "form." The intention and motivation are utterly different. Does the action arise from divine command or from contention? We see this fundamental difference in this beyt:

A hypocrite and a sincere believer can both stand in the same row, performing the same prayer (namaz). The outward form of the prayer is identical: bowing, prostration, standing. However, the "spirit" of that prayer, its "meaning," and its "intention" are separate. The believer performs the prayer out of sincere need (niyāz), devotion, and purity, out of love and connection. But the hypocrite performs this act for contention (estīze) and dispute, out of hypocrisy (riyā') and display, out of rivalry and deceit. His goal is not union, but self-assertion or opposition to others.

These two groups, outwardly, are engaged in the same game, but inwardly, they belong to two entirely different "planets" and "cities." Believers achieve victory and union in this game, because their intention is truth and sincerity; but hypocrites suffer ultimate defeat and loss, because their intention is mere contention and display. One must perceive this profound difference and avoid superficial judgments and ape-like comparisons for truth to smile upon us.

Key takeaways

• Identical Acts, Different Intentions: Outward similarity of actions never guarantees their inner unity of purpose.
• The Pitfall of Superficial Comparison: Ignoring profound differences in motivations and hearts leads to spiritual error.
• Hypocrite for Contention, Believer for Need: The hypocrite acts out of rivalry and pretense, while the believer acts from genuine need and sincere devotion.
• Different Existential Products: Just as one bee makes a sting and another honey from the same flower, humans produce either avarice or love from the same sustenance.
• Temperament as Affliction: Acting solely based on one's innate temperament and imitation, without intellect and free will, is a spiritual affliction.
• Checkmate in the End: In this game, believers achieve victory and hypocrites suffer defeat, as intentions determine ultimate destiny.