Normalization of Qur'ān in the Allegorical Story of the Lion and Cow in Mathnawi: With an Emphasis on Surah al-Ḥashr, Verse 21

Abstract

People have different views about Qur'ān: some deny it, some believe it. The believers of Qur'ān are divided into two groups: the first group pays due attention to it and tries to use it to the best of their abilities. However, the second group constituting the majority of the Muslim community considers Qur'ān as a normal book and disregards its greatness and importance. Rumi tells the tragic story of these people in an artistic language, using beautiful allegory. Rumi considers a Muslim who does not pay due attention to Qur'ān like a peasant who goes to the stable every night and takes after his cow. One day, a lion attacks the stable, eats the cow, and sits in its place. In the midst of the darkness, little knowing about the story, the peasant rubs his hand on the limbs of the lion, back and side, now above, now below. Lion says to itself: "if the light were to become greater, He would not stroke me so rudely". Relating the story, Rumi presents his main speech and complains about the normalization of Qur'ān by Muslims on behalf of the Almighty God. To this end, Rumi refers to the Surah al-Ḥashr, verse 21, in which God says: "Had We sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have surely seen it humbled [and] go to pieces with the fear of Allah". The present study attempted to investigate Rumi's allegory based Qur’ān and Hadith and library research. The findings show that Rumi believes that the main reason for the normalization of Qur’ān by Muslims is that it has become routine for them.