M6:1650 — تو بنشنیدی که آن پر قند لب / غدر خیاطان همی‌گفتی به شب

Translation: Did you not hear that sweet-lipped one, / Speaking at night of the tailors' deceit? Meaning: This verse refers to a skillful, sweet-spoken storyteller who, in nightly gatherings, used to narrate tales of tailors' deceptions. The judge recounts this story to the Sufi as an illustrative parable.

In this verse, through the Qazi's address to the Sufi, Mowlana guides us towards a delightful and engaging story. Prior to this, the Sufi had posed a profound and perennial theological question to the Qazi: “What would it be if this world / Had always shown a brow of grace?” A question born of the world's pains and the intertwining of blessings with misfortunes. This contention, as Mowlana himself states, is an unending dispute, continuing from the dawn of theology to the present, even echoed by Kant. However, the Qazi, instead of continuing the weighty philosophical debate, deems it prudent to bring a smile to his audience's lips and gladden their hearts. It is here that he introduces the tale of the 'Turk and the Tailor' (darzī). The 'sweet-lipped one' (pur qand lab) refers to a captivating storyteller or narrator (naqqāl) who, in nightly gatherings, would recount tales of the 'tailors' deceit' (ghadr-e khayyāṭān). Mowlana uses the archaic term darzī (tailor) here, explaining its meaning in contrast to khayyāṭ, which derives from khayṭ (thread). The trickery of tailors—who would steal a portion of fabric while cutting clothes—was a common and familiar story among the people of that era. Mowlana presents this story not merely for amusement, but as a pedagogical and allegorical tool. This verse and the continuation of the narrative delve into the crucial topic of the audience's influence on the speaker. As the Prophet (PBUH) stated: “Verily, God inspires wisdom upon the tongues of preachers according to the resolve and readiness of their listeners.” This means that the divine wisdom flows through speakers in proportion to the audience's capacity and eagerness to hear. The sweetness of a speaker's articulation, a teacher's warmth and earnestness, or even a harpist's enthusiasm, all stem from the listeners' receptive hearing and their readiness to absorb. If there is no audience, or if they are disengaged, the harp becomes a burden to the musician, and the speaker grows cold. Thus, this comic anecdote not only delights the heart but also teaches us that the quality and impact of discourse are rooted in the interaction and preparedness of the listener—a theme profoundly present throughout the Masnavi.

Key takeaways

• Through this parable, Mowlana illustrates how knowledge is conveyed according to the audience's capacity.
• The 'sweet-lipped one' is a symbol of a masterful orator who captivates listeners with engaging stories.
• The tale of tailors' deceit is a common folk anecdote used to illuminate a deeper point.
• The effectiveness of discourse, whether divine wisdom or eloquent speech, heavily depends on the listener's receptiveness and readiness.