M1:427 — سایهٔ یزدان چو باشد دایه‌اش / وا رهاند از خیال و سایه‌اش

Translation: When the Shadow of God becomes its guardian (daya), / It delivers it from imagination and its (own) shadow. Meaning: This verse asserts that only by taking refuge in the guidance of divine individuals, who are themselves the 'Shadow of God,' can one be liberated from the clutches of false imaginings and ephemeral illusions.

In this verse, Mowlana points to a profoundly deep insight, establishing a sharp distinction between illusory shadows and the authentic Shadow. Earlier, I spoke of the shadow-hunter who wastes his life pursuing vain imaginings and delusions. But is there any shadow that can offer refuge? Are all shadows inherently void and misleading? Most certainly not. Here, Mowlana unveils the 'Shadow of God.'

In our world, most shadows are secondary to the existence of objects and beings, possessing no inherent reality; chasing them leads nowhere near the origin, but rather distances one from it. However, Mowlana speaks of a 'Shadow' that is not merely secondary but is, in essence, the very Origin, for it is the Shadow of God Himself. This authentic Shadow is not a material object or phenomenon, but rather the sublime existence of 'servants of God' (bandegan-e Khoda) and 'divine men.' These are they who are 'dead to this world and alive in God' — as if they have annihilated themselves and subsist in the Divine Being.

The idiom 'Shadow of God' (Zillullah) for divine luminaries is somewhat uncommon in our mystical literature. This title was more frequently bestowed upon rulers and sultans ('al-Sultan Zillullah fi al-ard') to symbolize divine power and dominion on earth. Mowlana himself alludes to this meaning elsewhere, stating: 'Kings are mirrors of God's sovereignty / Mystics are mirrors of God's awareness.' However, employing this term for a spiritual 'guardian' (daya) who is meant to nurture the human soul and liberate it from illusion carries a far different and deeper meaning. It is as if Mowlana, in this instance, seeks a specific interpretation to unfold this concept for spiritual wayfarers. This interpretive approach by Mowlana demonstrates that, to express his profound truths, he sometimes transcends conventional meanings, employing language to serve his inner vision.

This Shadow, unlike other shadows, not only does not mislead but acts as a guardian and guide. The 'guardianship' (daya) of the Shadow of God means that these men of truth undertake the task of nurturing, protecting, and guiding the seeker's soul. Like a compassionate and discerning wet-nurse, they take the human hand, delivering one from the chaotic marketplace of imaginings, baseless conjectures, and unstable shadows of the mind. This liberation is freedom from illusion itself and from the shadows that one creates and gets lost within. To seek refuge in the 'Shadow of God' means to seek refuge in pure wisdom and love that originates from the Divine source, capable of returning the weary soul of the seeker to its origin and truth. This is the path to salvation from 'shadow-hunting' and the discovery of true existence.

Key takeaways

• The only authentic and salvific shadow is the Shadow of God, as manifested through divine individuals.
• Taking refuge in the guidance of true spiritual masters liberates one from the snare of illusions and baseless imaginings.
• Divine individuals serve as spiritual 'guardians' (daya), undertaking the nurturing and guidance of the seeker's soul.
• Mowlana's application of the title 'Shadow of God' to spiritual luminaries is an innovative and thought-provoking expression in his mysticism.
• Deliverance from 'shadow-hunting' (futility) depends on finding and adhering to the 'Shadow of God.'