M6:19 — انگبین گر پای کم آرد ز خل / آید آن اسکنجبین اندر خلل

Translation: If the honey (angabīn) falls short against the vinegar (khal), / That oxymel (sekanjebīn) will fall into disorder.

Meaning: This couplet succinctly states that for a balanced and complete mixture like oxymel (sekanjebīn) to come into being, both its sweet (honey/angabīn) and sour (vinegar/khal) components must be present in due proportion; otherwise, the resulting concoction will be flawed.

Mowlana, in this couplet, presents a pristine image of the unity of opposites and the role of divine wrath (qahr) and grace (lutf) in the cosmos. This is not a mere simile, but an articulation of a profound ontological truth.

Consider Sekanjebīn (Oxymel), a traditional drink made from the mixture of vinegar (khal) and honey or sugar (angabīn). This compound, in itself, is a testament to the intermingling of two opposing tastes: sourness and sweetness. The message of the couplet is that if the angabīn (sweetness) falls short against the khal (sourness)—meaning one of the two necessary components is insufficient—the entire compound will suffer a defect and fall into disorder. This implies not only that both components are essential, but also that their balance and proportion are vital.

This analogy, extending beyond a mere culinary instruction, alludes to the governing order of existence. Our world, unequivocally, is a blend of divine qahr and lutf. Khal here symbolizes qahr, representing all that appears bitter, unpleasant, harsh, and harmful to us. Angabīn, conversely, symbolizes lutf, encompassing all that is sweet, agreeable, and beneficial. Mowlana emphasizes that neither of these can or should be eliminated from the world. We must not only accept their inevitable existence but also understand that divine providence has decreed their co-existence, and from their blend, a balanced and even beneficial cosmos emerges. This is precisely the 'balance of opposites' (tavāzun-i azdād) observable throughout creation, just as the moon and the barking dogs, each perform their respective roles.

Our ancestors considered Sekanjebīn beneficial because it balanced the warm temperament of sugar with the cool temperament of vinegar, combining the benefits of both without the potential harms of either alone. This suggests that from the intermingling of opposites, something superior and more complete is created, something that did not exist in its singular components. This is a profound insight: what appears 'bad' to us has its own place and purpose in the cosmic order, and when combined with 'good', it can yield an even better outcome.

Mowlana then offers the example of Noah: for nine hundred years, Noah extended his invitation, yet his people 'poured vinegar' upon him, treating him with bitterness and harshness. However, 'his honey received aid from the sea of generosity.' Noah's sweetness—his enduring call and patience—was sustained by the sea of divine grace. In essence, Noah's 'Sekanjebīn' (his life) was shaped by the qahr of his people and divine lutf, its sustenance deriving from the ocean of generosity. He posits that the 'vinegars' of the world's people (divine qahr) actually lead to an increase in 'honey' (divine lutf) within the overall system, as divine grace becomes more manifest through that qahr. This indicates that divine qahr and lutf are not merely co-existent but sometimes cooperate and even derive meaning and expansion in relation to one another. The world, without doubt, is designed in this manner.

Key takeaways

• The world is a blend of divine wrath (qahr) and grace (lutf); both are essential and complementary.
• The deficiency or absence of one opposite (e.g., sweetness or sourness) disrupts the balance and perfection of the entire system.
• Sekanjebīn serves as a metaphor for creation, where the intermingling of seemingly opposing elements yields something more balanced and beneficial.
• Mowlana's perspective emphasizes accepting the totality of creation, including what appears 'bad', and discerning wisdom within it.
• Divine grace sometimes manifests and expands in conjunction with divine wrath, just as Noah's 'honey' bloomed amidst the 'vinegars' of his people.