The Luzumiyat · Chapter
LXXVII explained
The chapter contrasts the public celebration of falsehood with the private, whispered acknowledgment of truth, and laments the crowning of wrong while right and reason are left without even a shroud.
What happens
The chapter contrasts the public celebration of falsehood with the private, whispered acknowledgment of truth, and laments the crowning of wrong while right and reason are left without even a shroud.
Themes in this chapter
Illusion and Reality
The public proclamation of falsehood versus the whispered truth highlights the tension between appearance and reality.
Critique of Power and Hypocrisy
Wrong is crowned while right and reason are denied, critiquing the hypocrisy and injustice of those in power.
Key passages
“Among us falsehood is proclaimed aloud, But truth is whispered to the phantom bowed Of conscience; ay! and Wrong is ever crowned, While Right and Reason are denied a shroud.”
In our society, lies are shouted publicly, but truth is only quietly spoken to a guilty conscience. Injustice is always honored, while justice and logic are left without even basic dignity.
The quatrain criticizes societal hypocrisy where falsehood thrives openly and truth is suppressed, and where wrongdoing is rewarded while virtue is neglected.