Story Summary
Explore the wit of Nasrudin's Sermon, a classic Sufi parable where the Mulla uses clever wordplay to challenge a village's readiness to receive divine wisdom.
One day, Mulla Nasrudin was invited to deliver a sermon to a local congregation. He climbed into the pulpit and asked the crowd, 'Do you know what I am about to say to you?' The people replied, 'No.' Nasrudin sighed and said, 'In that case, I have no desire to speak to people who are so ignorant,' and he left. The following week, he returned and asked the same question. Fearing he would leave again, the people shouted, 'Yes!' Nasrudin replied, 'Well, since you already know, there is no need for me to waste my breath,' and he departed. On the third week, the villagers decided that half would say yes and half would say no. When Nasrudin asked his question, the crowd split their response as planned. Nasrudin smiled and said, 'Excellent! Now, let those who know tell those who do not,' and he stepped down from the pulpit for the final time.
The Moral
True knowledge is not something to be merely handed over; it requires a prepared mind and a community that shares wisdom among its members.
“Let those who know tell those who do not.”
Fun Fact
Mulla Nasrudin stories, known as 'Latifa,' are often used by Sufi masters as teaching tools to break the ego and encourage 'out of the box' thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Nasrudin's Sermon?
The moral is that spiritual and intellectual growth requires an active, prepared mind. Nasrudin teaches that those who are truly ready for knowledge must be willing to share it with others rather than relying solely on a teacher.
Why did Nasrudin refuse to speak the first two times?
In the first instance, he refused because the people were completely unprepared and 'ignorant.' In the second, he refused because they claimed to already know, suggesting that his words would be redundant and they were closed to new insight.
What does 'let those who know tell those who do not' mean?
This is a clever way of saying that the community itself holds the keys to wisdom. It encourages peer-to-peer learning and suggests that the teacher's role is merely to facilitate the sharing of truth that already exists within the collective.
Is Mulla Nasrudin a real person?
While many cultures claim him as a historical figure from the 13th century, he is primarily a folkloric 'wise fool' found in Sufi traditions across the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Balkans. He represents a unique blend of absurdity and deep spiritual insight.
How is this story relevant to modern education?
It mirrors the 'flipped classroom' or 'peer learning' models where the instructor acts as a guide. It emphasizes that students must take responsibility for their own learning and support one another rather than being passive recipients of information.
What is the significance of the mosque setting?
The setting emphasizes that even in a formal, religious context, Mulla Nasrudin uses humor and logic to break through dogma. It highlights the Sufi belief that spiritual truth is often found through unconventional methods rather than dry, formal sermons.
