In Poem 12 of Attar's Mokhtar Nameh, the poet explores the temporal, transient nature of the physical world and the contrasting eternal elevation of the soul or particle that receives Divine grace.

Key Concepts

• The Sustenance of a Transient World: The world is described as having 'absolute non-existence' as its capital and being 'six-days-old' (referencing the cosmological creation in six days). Despite the world's inherent nothingness and transience, it is nurtured and sustained by Divine grace, described metaphorically as its wet-nurse.
• The Eternal Elevation of the Insignificant Particle: Attar employs the motif of the speck of dust or particle (ذره). When this humble particle resides in the shadow of Divine grace, its spiritual status is elevated to the point where it casts its own shadow over the 'eight heavens' for eternity. This illustrates how Divine favor confers eternal, supreme significance upon the otherwise transient and finite creation.