The Masnavi, Book One (Oxford World's Classics)

pearl!’: Rumi uses this Arabic proverb to urge the reader to have a high
aspiration.
2840 Kawsar: see Glossary.
2875 A hidden treasure: this alludes to a Sacred Tradition (see note to v. 1948),
in which God tells David that the reason He created the world was
that He was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known. See further
Nicholson, vii (Commentary), 
176.
2907 Hajj: the pilgrimage to Mecca which all Muslims are required to perform
once in their life if they have the means.
2915 They’ve turned away from it: Koran 51: 9, where the singular ‘he’ is used
instead, in describing those who deny revelation because of their own
wickedness.
2949 the lamp and glass: this alludes to Koran 24: 35, which uses the same
terms and has attracted much attention from mystic commentators.
Rumi reinforces in this couplet the message of the previous one, which
emphasizes the need he feels for Hosamoddin.
2955 the drink that is divine: see note to v. 611.
2961 Heed the Koran on those who went astray: the Koran contains many
stories about communities who failed to heed God and went astray, with
the result that they were destroyed (e.g. see ‘Aad’ and ‘Thamud’ in the
Glossary).
Notes to pages 
171–181
259

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2969 Consult them . . . regretting it: this is the infamous advice given in a saying
attributed to the Prophet Mohammad with regard to the opinion of
women, but Rumi uses it here to refer to the urging of the carnal soul.
2970 It leads you off the path towards the Lord: Koran 38: 26, in a passage
which represents God’s speech to David, warning him against following
his own desires.
2972 Heading ‘Since everyone . . . all the rest’: this refers to a saying of the
Prophet Mohammad to Ali (see Glossary), urging him to seek wisdom
as a means of gaining proximity to God, rather than mere pious deeds,
which others preoccupy themselves with in order to reach the same goal.
See further Nicholson, vii (Commentary), 
181–2.
2972 Lion of God: the most common epithet of Ali, concerning whom see the
Glossary.
2975 Mount Qaf: see Glossary.
2982 Khezr: see Glossary.
2983 Here’s where we split!: Koran 18: 79, in the story about Moses and Khezr
(see Glossary). After Moses fails for the third time to have faith in
Khezr, he is told that they have reached the point where they must part
ways.
2985 Up above their hands rests God’s alone: Koran 48: 10, in a passage where
taking an oath with the Prophet is said to be the same as taking an oath
with God, so the Prophet’s hand represents God’s hand.
2994 Qazvin: a city located north-west of Tehran in northern Iran. It is
unclear why the inhabitants of this town in particular should be
associated with tattoos.
3019 Turning thus from the cave: Koran 18: 17, in the story of the Companions
of the Cave (see note to v. 
406). The sun’s light is diverted from them by
God’s will, so that they are spared the discomfort of its heat.
3032 Consult them too!: Koran 3: 159, in God’s address to the Prophet
advising him to consult his followers.
3050 Those who think ill of God: Koran 48: 6, in a passage referring to those
bound for hell
fire because of unbelief.
3065 All perishes: Koran 28: 88; see note to v. 3067.
3067 ‘There is no’ for ‘except’ he’s left aside: allusion to Koran 28: 88, where one
is instructed not to pray to any other gods, because 
There is no god other
than He and Everything perishes apart from His face.
3078 For camels, needle eyes are much too small!: this metaphor found in the
Gospel of Matthew is also found in the Koran (
7: 40), where it describes
how unlikely it is for unbelievers to enter heaven.
3080 Be!: Koran 2: 117; see further the note to v. 1390.
3084 He works on something new each day: Koran, 55: 29, see note to v. 1831.