M6:2157 — هم‌چنان این دو علم از عدل و جور / تا به نمرود آمد اندر دور دور

Translation: Likewise, these two banners—of ʿadl (justice) and jawr (tyranny)— / Reached Nimrod (Namrūd) in ages long past. Meaning: This verse continues the narrative of the ancient struggle between justice and injustice, emphasizing its enduring presence throughout history, specifically as it manifested in the era of Nimrod and Abraham.

This verse is a direct continuation of Mawlana's narrative of fundamental historical antagonisms, which began with the story of Cain and Abel and now progresses to Nimrod. In my view, Mawlana aims to illustrate that history has been the perpetual arena for the emergence of these two 'banners' or 'sciences'—namely, justice (ʿadl) and tyranny (jawr). These two forces have been at play since the very beginning of human creation, from the fratricide of Cain and Abel, through the era of Nimrod and Abraham, where the despotism of a self-proclaimed god-king confronted divine prophethood. These are not mere past events; they are 'manifestations of opposition' (tajallī-i taḍādī) that ultimately lead to divine knowledge.

I have consistently emphasized that 'things are known by their opposites' (tuʿrafu al-ashyāʾu bi-aḍdādihā). Our comprehension of justice cannot be complete without understanding tyranny. Our history is the history of these very conflicts. When we arrive at Nimrod, we witness how his tyranny and self-aggrandizement are pitted against Abraham's justice and truth. These two banners, these two principles, have been in contention for countless ages, from one epoch to the next. For Mawlana, this struggle is not a cause for despair but a crucible for growth and perfection, for it is through these very oppositions that the truth and falsehood of matters become evident to us.

Mawlana suggests that these conflicts are not merely external, unfolding on the stage of history. The 'Pharaoh' and 'Moses' who battle in the outer world also reside within each of us. As Mawlana states elsewhere, 'Moses and Pharaoh are within your very being.' Thus, when he speaks of Nimrod and Abraham, there is a profound intimation of the 'Nimrod-like' aspect of our own existence. These struggles are humanity's primary teachers, and we must learn from historical mistakes and the clash of opposites to attain true knowledge and liberate ourselves from the hubris and ignorance that are the root of much injustice.

Key takeaways

• History, from Cain and Abel to Nimrod and Abraham, is a perennial battleground between the 'banners' of justice (ʿadl) and tyranny (jawr).
• These historical conflicts are not mere past events but manifestations of fundamental existential antagonisms that guide humanity toward divine knowledge.
• Mawlana emphasizes that knowing good from evil and achieving justice is only possible through confronting tyranny and ignorance.
• External enmities, like that between Nimrod and Abraham, mirror the internal struggles within each individual between truth and falsehood.