Concept

The Parable of the Mosque of Diraar and the Prophet's Compassion in the Masnavi

In Book 2 of Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, the narrative of the hypocrites attempting to lure the Prophet Muhammad to the Mosque of Diraar (Mosque of Opposition) illustrates the tension between prophetic compassion and divine vigilance. When the hypocrites present their deceitful invitation, the Prophet clearly perceives their malice, which Rumi compares to seeing a 'hair in milk.' Yet, out of boundless mercy, he feigns ignorance, likening his protective patience to driving blind moths away from a destructive fire. However, before the Prophet can comply, God's 'jealousy' intervenes, warning him that the hypocrites have 'played a backgammon of fraud with God' and built their mosque on the 'bridge of Hell' to divide the community. Heeding this divine revelation, the Prophet counters their deceit with a strategic excuse of an impending military campaign. Rumi uses this historical episode to demonstrate that while a perfected soul possesses endless tolerance for human ignorance, it remains fiercely guarded by divine truth against deliberate spiritual subversion.

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Updated 2026-06-07

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