M6:548 — گفت اگر در جنگ کم بودت امید / نعره‌ای زن کای کریمان برجهید

Translation: They said: "If in battle your hope was low, / Then shout a cry: 'O generous ones, rise up!'" Meaning: The caravan members tell the guard that if he lacked the courage to fight the thieves, he should have at least cried out to awaken and summon others for help. This verse highlights the necessity of timely action, even if it's merely a warning.

This verse is uttered by the caravan members, chastising the heedless guard in the Masnavi's tale. The guard, lost in slumber, began to make a ruckus and beat his drum only after the caravan's goods had been plundered. The caravan members tell him: "If you lacked the strength to resist and fight the thieves, you should have at least let out a shout, calling others to aid: 'O generous people, rise up and hasten to help!'" This statement conveys a profound lesson from Mowlana: that prevention is always better than cure. "What good are regrets and sighs after being incapacitated? / Earlier, this black smoke should have risen." The black smoke, a sign of a burning heart and awakened consciousness, should precede the disaster, not follow it.

I firmly believe that this principle of "before Basra is ruined" (an Arabic idiom for acting before it's too late) is a core tenet of practical wisdom. When greed and desire first stir in the heart, one should immediately appeal to the Divine for help, so that the roots of evil are withered before they bear fruit. Mowlana himself states: "Mourn me before I die and cover yourself with dust / Do not mourn me after my death and then be patient." This bitter, yet realistic, reminder indicates that many regrets and repentances, made after the opportune moment has passed, are fruitless.

Yet, Mowlana is never despondent regarding divine mercy, and even in this same tale, he unveils another layer of meaning. He suggests that although lamenting and sighing after heedlessness and loss may seem "tasteless" or ineffectual, "heedlessness is certainly more tasteless than that." That is, absolute silence and utter unconsciousness are far worse than an untimely lament. Even this "tasteless" lament is itself a form of awakening and awareness. In moments of helplessness and lowliness, even if it's too late, one should appeal to the Almighty, saying: "You are the Capable One; whether in time or out of time, / What could ever escape Your power, O God?"

It is here that the boundaries of time and space dissolve before the Divine Essence. Although opportunities may slip from our grasp, and we approach Him "sometimes out of time," nothing escapes God's power. In the Ayāt al-Kursī, He declares, "Nor is He weary of preserving them both," and at every moment, "Every day He is engaged in some affair." This belief offers immense solace to humanity, assuring that even untimely cries can find a listening ear in the boundless ocean of divine power and mercy. This marks a significant difference between Mowlana's perspective and some Western philosophies that perceive existence as devoid of meaning and support, condemning humanity to absolute loneliness; whereas for Mowlana, even in "separation" (jedā'ī), the remembrance of an ever-present Beloved brings comfort and hope.

Key takeaways

• Timely insight and action are crucial for preventing disaster, not merely responding to it.
• Absolute indifference and heedlessness are worse than an untimely or late lament; even a 'tasteless' cry signifies awakening.
• Greed and desire must be quelled at their nascent stage; one should seek God's help the moment they arise.
• Divine mercy is boundless, and even belated pleas can be heard in the presence of His power.
• Mowlana's experience of 'separation' (jedā'ī) differs from existential loneliness; he always senses the Beloved's presence.