M3:2207 — جمله‌شان از خوف غم در عین غم / در پی هستی فتاده در عدم

This couplet captures a profound paradox of human existence as seen by Rumi. It follows a series of verses (M3:2204-2206) that lament how humanity is preoccupied with worldly concerns and fears, much like a man caught by a lion (M3:2202-2203). Rumi argues that people fear poverty and suffering (M3:2205) but fail to fear the Creator of poverty and suffering (M3:2206). If they did, their hidden spiritual treasures would be revealed.

Here, Rumi states that the very fear of sorrow (خوف غم) plunges people into sorrow (عین غم). Their anxiety about what might happen, their constant struggle to avoid potential future pain, becomes their present reality of suffering. Furthermore, in their relentless chase after worldly 'existence' (هستی) – meaning material security, status, and possessions – they have actually 'fallen into non-existence' (افتاده در عدم). This 'non-existence' is not literal annihilation, but a spiritual void, a loss of their true, essential self and connection to the Divine. They have sacrificed their inner reality for an illusory outer one, thereby losing both peace and genuine being.