M6:373 — پس بکن دفعش چو نمرودی به جنگ / سوی او کش در هوا تیری خدنگ

Translation: So repel it like Nimrod in battle, Draw and shoot a hard arrow into the sky towards it.

Meaning: Rumi, with an ironic tone, suggests that if one cannot escape the grip of divine power or submit to its will, then one might as well futilely wage war against destiny like Nimrod, shooting arrows into the sky, for such an effort is ultimately vain.

This verse is an ironic invitation to a futile struggle. Rumi, in the preceding context, speaks of the 'hidden thief' within us; that 'alien' presence which extinguishes sparks of resolve and good intentions, much like a thief snuffing out stars struck by a flint, one after another, to prevent any light from shining. When a human is incapable of expelling this inner adversary, and their will is broken by mysterious forces, Rumi states that this weakness signals an overwhelming 'qahr' (divine wrath or overpowering force) that is upon us. This power stems not from our weakness but from His infinite strength; it seeks to show us our vanquished state and compel us to abandon arrogance and self-centeredness.

Following this, Rumi offers a sarcastic piece of advice: 'So repel it like Nimrod in battle.' If you find no strength within yourself to break free, if you find yourself struck by the 'mace of tribulation,' then instead of submitting, rise in battle against God like Nimrod! The legendary Nimrod, that tyrant, who supposedly ascended to the heavens on a throne carried by vultures, aiming to shoot arrows at God. This comparison highlights the ultimate ignorance and hubris of man in the face of absolute power; a formidable yet ultimately futile endeavor.

Rumi extends the irony with another example: 'Or like the Mongol army in the sky / Shoot arrows to ward off the soul's departure.' Historical accounts mention Mongols shooting arrows into the sky when their loved ones were dying, believing they could repel the angel of death. This, too, symbolizes a desperate and absurd struggle against an uncontrollable and inescapable force. Here, Rumi reminds humanity that such struggles against divine decree and wrath are the ultimate delusion. Man, even in 'non-existence' (before being created), was not free from His grasp; how then can one escape His clutches in the world of 'existence'? This desire for escape is itself 'shedding the blood of piety' and only adds to the snares of desire. Ultimately, Rumi declares: 'You are hostage in His hand.' There is no escaping Him. This verse powerfully conveys human helplessness and the necessity of submission to the absolute power that encompasses all.

Key takeaways

• Fighting against divine destiny or an internal 'overpowering force' is an ironic and futile endeavor.
• Divine wrath and destiny reveal human weakness before absolute power, prompting the abandonment of arrogance.
• The metaphors of Nimrod and the Mongol army symbolize the height of human pride and ignorance when confronting divine decree.
• Even in 'non-existence,' humanity was within God's grasp; thus, in 'existence,' there is no escaping it.
• Escaping snares and desires brings liberation, but struggling against divine power is 'shedding the blood of piety.'