Overview

In this section of the Mosibat Nameh, Attar of Nishapur relates a discourse attributed to Alexander the Great regarding the critical importance of moderation (a'tedal) and the golden mean (kheyr al-umur).

Key Concepts

• Moderation and Intellect: Alexander asserts that moderation in all matters is a direct component of the Universal Intellect (aql-e koll). Excess in either direction (whether in power/exaltation or in total distribution/submission) deviates from reason.
• The Analogy of the Rope: Attar uses the metaphor of a rope (rasan). A rope with moderate tension or twist remains strong and unified (even with a hundred strands), but when twisted beyond measure, its fibers break.
• Spiritual Balance: The lesson urges the seeker to balance their inner state and adopt a balanced path in all endeavors, aligning with the philosophical and Islamic principle that the best of affairs is their middle path.