M6:259 — پر هنر را نیز اگر باشد نفیس / کم پرست و عبرتی گیر از بلیس

Translation: Even the skilled, should they be precious, / Do not overly revere, and learn a lesson from Iblis. Meaning: This verse cautions against placing excessive value on mere skill or knowledge, reminding us that even great talent can lead to arrogance and spiritual downfall, exemplified by Iblis.

In this pivotal verse, Rumi offers a fundamental warning concerning the nature of 'skill' (honar) and 'knowledge' (danesh). When he speaks of 'the highly skilled' (por honar), he refers not merely to an artist in the modern sense, but to someone proficient in various crafts, sciences, and competencies—a versatile and adept individual. This quality, in itself, may indeed be 'precious' (nafis), yet Rumi advises against 'overly revering' it (kam parast), meaning one should not excessively praise it or become arrogant because of it.

Rumi's argument immediately points to the story of Iblis, serving as a cautionary tale. Iblis, in our narratives, symbolizes knowledge devoid of love and profound insight. He is traditionally depicted as the teacher of angels, having worshipped God for ages and accumulated vast knowledge. However, when 'the love of religion' (ʿishq-e dīn) was tested with the command to prostrate before Adam, Iblis faltered and fell. What was the reason? Rumi states, 'He saw nothing in Adam but the form of clay' (ou nadīd az Ādam illā naqsh-e tīn). He perceived only Adam's outward form, that earthen mold, failing to grasp his divine spirit and inherent dignity.

This is a crucial point: Rumi here makes a profound distinction between formal knowledge and inner, unseen-seeing wisdom (dīda-ye ghayb-bīn). 'He had knowledge, but lacked the love of religion' implies that knowledge unaccompanied by love and spiritual insight is like a lamp that illuminates no path. Knowledge, even if it be 'the precision of trusted science' (deqqat-e ʿilm-e amīn) and delves into the minutiae of matters, cannot bestow upon one the 'eye that sees the unseen.' It is this inner vision that transcends the confines of material cause and effect and scientific reductionism, enabling one to perceive the world in a broader, more esoteric dimension.

Therefore, being 'highly skilled' and possessing extensive knowledge, if not coupled with humility, love, and inner insight, can lead one to the same pride that brought Iblis to perdition. This lesson resonates throughout the Masnavi: observing only the 'form' (ṣūrat) and settling for appearances is a highway robber of truth. One who judges solely by outward forms may ultimately, instead of the form, 'strike at God' (bar Allāh zad) and stray from reality. This verse is an invitation to a deeper, more inward gaze than mere skill and knowledge, so that we may be safe from the pitfalls of pride and superficiality.

Key takeaways

• Great skill and knowledge, without inner love and insight, can lead to spiritual pride and downfall.
• The cautionary tale of Iblis demonstrates that mere intellect, devoid of appreciating the intrinsic dignity of beings, is insufficient.
• Rumi distinguishes fundamentally between formal knowledge and 'the eye that sees the unseen'; the former creates confinement, the latter brings liberation.
• Judging solely by outward form (ṣūrat) can obstruct truth and prevent the perception of deeper existential realities.