M6:1057 — هم‌چو ابری خالیی پر قر و قر / نه درو نفع زمین نه قوت بر

Translation: Like an empty cloud, full of thunder and roar, from which comes neither benefit for the earth nor sustenance (wheat) to grow. Meaning:* This verse describes a deceptive appearance, likening it to a loud, thunderous cloud that, despite its show, holds no rain and offers no benefit to the land, symbolizing inner emptiness and futility.

Mowlana, without doubt, presents in this verse a vivid image of fruitless superficiality; of people or phenomena that possess a dazzling and clamorous exterior but are utterly devoid of any genuine benefit within. This is a point frequently emphasized throughout the Masnavi: 'to shed outward perception in order to attain inner realities.'

Mowlana introduces this thundering, barren cloud following other significant analogies: Firstly, he likens it to a 'wooden horse draped in an atlas saddle' or a 'stone statue adorned with luxurious garments.' These appear beautiful and valuable from the outside, but inwardly they are nothing and worthless. Secondly, he extends this paradox to the 'graves of infidels'; tombs outwardly decorated with countless designs, yet inwardly 'full of smoke and fire' (the flames of hell). This metaphor is not confined to the past; even today, our own cemeteries, like Behesht-e Zahra, feature tombs of such excessive grandeur that they utterly deny the impermanence of the afterlife. Such ostentation, in Mowlana’s words, is but a display of the 'blood of the oppressed.' Thirdly, he compares it to the 'wealth of oppressors'; wealth that appears beautiful on the surface, but inwardly is 'the blood of the oppressed and destruction' (wabāl). Fourthly, he refers to the 'hypocrite'; one who outwardly performs abundant fasting and prayers, yet whose interior is 'black, barren soil,' a land where nothing can grow.

It is here that Mowlana, with the example, 'Like an empty cloud, full of thunder and roar, from which comes neither benefit for the earth nor sustenance to grow,' illustrates the zenith of this unproductive superficiality. He depicts a cloud that only thunders and roars, yet yields no rain and causes no greenery or wheat (sustenance) to sprout from the earth. There is an Arabic proverb that echoes this sentiment: 'He thundered and lightened but did not rain,' meaning 'He made a lot of noise but produced nothing.'

This verse essentially refers to those who are all sound and fury, but in practice bring no benefit or yield to society or to themselves. Their words are captivating and attractive, yet their promises are hollow and ultimately lead to disgrace. Mowlana consistently cautions us against falling prey to these deceptive appearances, always emphasizing genuine inner substance and true efficacy.

Key takeaways

• An ornate exterior without substantive content is useless, even harmful.
• One who only displays commotion and splendor, yet lacks action and results, is like a cloud without rain.
• The deceptive allure of false appearances is a sign of inner emptiness and barrenness.
• The true nature of things lies in their inner essence, not in their captivating outward form.