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

Notes to pages 
181–188
260

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3092 Be!: see note to v. 3080. Here Rumi refers to the two consonants that
form the single word for ‘Be!’ in Arabic (
kon). Vowels are not normally
written in Arabic script.
3104 under which the rivers flow: Koran 2: 25; see note to v. 2730.
3113 Be!: see notes to vv. 1390 and 3092.
3116 So we took vengeance on them: Koran 7: 136, 15: 79 and 43: 25, concerning
the punishment dealt out to the disobedient.
3146 We took revenge: see note to v. 3116.
3160 A mirror for believers: see note to v. 1337. In this context, however, Rumi
uses the same saying of the Prophet Mohammad to make the point that
the Su
fi master can read the disciple’s thoughts as clearly as looking into
a mirror.
3169 their hearts have goodness: Koran 22: 32, where it describes the faithful
servants of God.
3181 Farmers rejoice: Koran 48: 29, in a passage where believers are compared
with strong and tall plants, which 
fill farmers with delight.
3185 For at the Gathering . . . Resurrection Day: the Gathering and Resurrec-
tion Day are di
fferent names for Judgment Day at the end of time
(see note to v. 
1925).
3186 Are you alone . . . as I created you: Koran 6: 94, in a passage describing
unbelievers on the Day of Judgment.
3192 sleep little when they sleep . . . seek His forgiveness: Koran 51: 17–18, in
describing the qualities of the righteous who will be admitted to heaven.
3195 God’s land is vast: Koran 39: 10, where it emphasizes the abundant
rewards that the righteous can hope to receive.
3200–2 they’re asleep . . . First right, then left . . . right side . . . The left: Koran
18: 18, in the story of the Companions of the Cave (see note to v. 406),
where it is asserted that, though they moved to the left and to the right,
this was by God’s will and they remained asleep.
3208 I’m taking cumin to Kerman: this is the equivalent Persian expression to
‘taking coals to Newcastle’. The best cumin comes from the city of
Kerman in south-eastern Iran.
3229 I’m better: Koran 7: 12, where this represents Satan’s answer to God
upon being asked why he had refused to bow in obeisance to Adam (see
note to v. 
544).
3241 There was a scribe . . . would recite: the Prophet Mohammad is tradition-
ally believed to have been illiterate, so when he recited the revelations
inspired in him it was his companions who would record them in
writing.
3255–6 Shackled, they must keep their heads up . . . Behind a barrier, and above a
screen: Koran 
36: 8–9, where those who cannot be made to heed the
Notes to pages 
189–199
261

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truth are described as being impeded from the truth, with the
implication that it is God’s will that they should not believe.
3289–90 it will be forced to quake . . . it will say publicly: Koran 99: 1–4,
describing one of the signs of the end of time as being when the earth
quakes and tells what it has witnessed.
3320 from Thamud and from Aad: see Glossary entries.
3327 wild, frightened asses: Koran 74: 50, in a passage describing sinners on
Judgment Day.
3393 Suppress your rage: Koran 3: 134, in a passage describing the qualities of
the righteous, which include the ability to control one’s anger.
3405 Guide us!: Koran 1: 6. See note to v. 2245.
3413 There shall be no more kinship then: Koran, 23: 101, in a passage
describing Judgment Day, when kinship will no longer avail anybody.
3416 Bu Jahl’s son . . . those astray: the son of Bu Jahl (see Glossary) was at
first an enemy of the Prophet, but later became a Muslim. In contrast, the
Prophet Noah’s son eventually went astray.
3418 qebla: see note to v. 2296.
3421 God’s bird: this seems to be used here as a metaphor for prophets and
saints who serve as spokesmen for God.
3429 those who stand in ranks: Koran, 37: 165, in a passage describing those
devoted to the service of God.
3445 The world is just a toy . . . Are merely children: this Persian passage alludes
to Koran 
29: 64 and 57: 20, which express the same sentiment.
3454 Spirits and angels to Him will ascend: Koran 70: 4, in a passage referring
to Judgment Day.
3456 Opinion does not free you from all need: Koran 10: 36, where it is asserted
that mere opinion is of no avail when faced with the truth.
3462 Like asses carrying their books: Koran 62: 5, in a passage describing those
who were entrusted with the law revealed to Moses, but failed to live in
accordance with it.
3467 ‘He!’: the Arabic word for ‘he’ is commonly used by Sufis as the name
representing the essence of God, and is often chanted in worship.
3478 Water of Life: see note to v. 578.
3479 So understand ‘Last night I was a Kurd, Now I’m an Arab though!’: this is
also cited in the prose introduction of the