Read› Daftar 1› The scribe of revelation apostatizes because the light of revelation struck him, and he read the verse before the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying, 'Then I, too, am a recipient of revelation.'› beyt 3259
M1:3259 — شرح این از سینه بیرون میجهد / لیک میترسم که نومیدی دهد
M1:3259
Meaning · به زبانِ تو — Your language · AI
Rumi feels compelled to explain the terrifying nature of the 'hidden barrier' of divine predetermination, but he holds back, worried that such a stark truth might cause his audience to lose hope.
This couplet marks a dramatic pause in Rumi's discourse. He has just described the 'hidden barrier' (band-e ghaybī), an invisible spiritual obstacle far more formidable than any physical restraint. This barrier, rooted in divine preordination (qażā), can prevent even those who desire faith from attaining it. The story of the Prophet's scribe, who apostatized after mistaking a reflection of revelation for his own inner light, is the prime example of this subtle and devastating spiritual trap.
The topic is so weighty and perilous that Rumi feels it bursting from his heart, demanding to be explained further. Yet, he hesitates. The doctrine of predetermination, if misunderstood, can easily lead to fatalism and despair. If one's spiritual state is sealed by a divine decree, what is the point of striving? Rumi, as a spiritual guide, is acutely aware of this danger. His role is to nurture hope, not to extinguish it.
This moment of self-censorship is characteristic of Rumi. He acknowledges the existence of profound and potentially crushing truths but chooses to meter them out with care, always prioritizing the spiritual well-being of his listener. Immediately after this verse, he pivots, urging his reader not to despair but to cry out to God, the 'Lover of forgiveness,' thereby shifting the focus from the terrifying power of destiny to the infinite potential of divine mercy.
- شرح
- Explanation, commentary, exposition. An Arabic loanword central to the tradition of interpreting sacred texts.
- سینه
- Literally 'chest' or 'breast,' but metaphorically the seat of inner consciousness, the heart, and the source of inspiration and secrets.
- میجهد
- From the verb 'jahīdan' (to leap, to jump). Here it conveys a sense of bursting forth, an irrepressible urge.
- نومیدی
- Despair, hopelessness. In Sufi ethics, despair is considered a grave spiritual sin, as it implies a loss of faith in God's mercy.
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