Concept

In the Sixth Discourse of Attar's Elahi Nameh, the father responds to a son who wishes to travel to Babylon to learn magic from the fallen angels Harut and Marut. The father highlights the absurdity and spiritual danger of this pursuit.

Key Themes

• The Helplessness of False Masters: The father points out that Harut and Marut have been hanging upside down in a well, desperately thirsty, for thousands of years, despite water being only a hand span away. He logically argues that if these 'masters' cannot even quench their own thirst, they cannot possibly grant power or open doors for an apprentice.
• Spiritual Degradation: The father warns that the son's misguided ambitions are leading to his spiritual ruin. He notes that the son has already become akin to a demon (div) and cautions that pursuing this path will prevent him from ever becoming an angel in the hereafter.