M6:1424 — او دو آلت دارد و خنثی بود / فعل هر دو بی‌گمان پیدا شود

Translation: That one has two natures and is hermaphrodite; / The deeds of both will undoubtedly become manifest. Meaning: This verse likens the ignorant or hypocritical person to an individual with an unstable and contradictory identity, whose dual actions inevitably expose their inconsistent essence.

Mowlana, in this verse, describes individuals who lack a singular, authentic identity—those who can be categorized as ignorant (jāhil) or hypocritical (munāfiq). The core metaphor here is being khonsā (hermaphrodite or intersex). Mowlana is not referring to a biological state, but rather to a spiritual and moral ambivalence, a lack of steadfastness in character. Such a person is said to do ālat dārad, meaning they possess two modes of being, two facets, or two personas; they might present themselves as 'masculine' at one moment and 'feminine' at another, adapting their demeanor and discourse to suit the occasion. What they say today, they might contradict entirely to someone else tomorrow. This chameleon-like quality, shifting colors and forms, is characteristic of such an unstable nature.

This duality of essence will inevitably manifest in their actions: fa'l-i har do bī-gumān paydā shavad – the deeds of both natures will undoubtedly become manifest. Their deception cannot last, and their inconsistent reality will be exposed. Mowlana warns us not to trust such individuals, just as he earlier in the Masnavi advises against entrusting the lamb (soul) to the wolf (body or a bad companion). The body, while a ladder for the soul, can, if unrestrained, become a wolf that devours the Yusuf (soul).

This is a point also elegantly made by Sa'di, who labels such individuals as hichkas (nobody). Sa'di states:

Whoever is with one person every morning; And every evening has a new desire in their head; They tell you today, 'You are the one for me, My solace and my confidant'; Then tell another the same thing, 'Without you, this world is a cage to my heart'; Like a bee constantly on the move, Wherever there's prey, there's a fly; Wherever you see such a person, Pay them no heed, for they are a nobody.

Both Mowlana and Sa'di emphasize this lack of true character, this 'nobody-ness.' An authentic person of integrity possesses a stable, unified personality, and their actions consistently reflect this inner steadfastness. The ignorant and hypocritical, however, due to their lack of spiritual and ethical centering, are characterized by inconsistency and contradiction in their behavior. This assertion by Mowlana serves as a profound criterion for assessing the authenticity and inner truth of individuals.

Key takeaways

• The ignorant and hypocritical lack a singular, stable identity.
• Their contradictory actions inevitably expose their dual and inconsistent nature.
• This duality of character ultimately leads to distrust and loss of credibility.
• Mowlana's 'hermaphrodite' refers to a state of character, not a biological condition.
• The verse warns against those who, like chameleons, change their colors to suit their surroundings.