The Luzumiyat · Chapter
CXIV explained
The chapter questions the futility of seeking ultimate truths about existence, suggesting that death alone holds the secret and will reveal it in time.
What happens
The chapter questions the futility of seeking ultimate truths about existence, suggesting that death alone holds the secret and will reveal it in time.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Transience
Death is portrayed as the keeper of life's ultimate secret, emphasizing the transient nature of human knowledge.
Doubt and Skepticism
The chapter expresses skepticism about humanity's ability to grasp truth, questioning the value of seeking knowledge that remains elusive.
Key passages
“Why try to con the book of earth and sky, Why seek the truth which neither you nor I Can grasp?”
Why attempt to understand the universe or pursue a truth that is beyond human comprehension?
The speaker dismisses the pursuit of metaphysical knowledge as futile.
“But Death methinks the secret keeps, And will impart it to us by and by.”
Death, I believe, holds the answer and will eventually reveal it to us.
Death is personified as the guardian of ultimate knowledge, which will be disclosed after life ends.