M6:3004 — پر همان و سر همان هیکل همان / موسیی بر عرش و فرعونی مُهان

Translation: Their wing and head and body remained the same; / A Moses upon the Throne, then a contemptible Pharaoh. Meaning: This verse asserts that while one's outward form may persist, their inner disposition and spiritual rank can degrade from a lofty, Moses-like state on the divine throne to a base, Pharaoh-like abjection on earth, primarily due to environmental influence or a departure from their spiritual origin.

This verse from Rumi's Masnavi presents a profound and rich insight into the internal transformations of human beings (or, in Rumi's own interpretation for this specific context, angels), an insight not immediately apparent at first glance. Rumi here alludes to the narrative of angels who, in their elevated station on the Divine Throne (ʿArsh) and in the presence of the Preserved Tablet (Lawḥ Maḥfūẓ), possessed Moses-like qualities. The constancy of their 'wing and head and body' (par o sar o heykāl) suggests a kind of outward stability; their structural existence as beings has not, it seems, changed. However, the precise and focal point lies in the profound alteration of their inner state upon descending to the 'ground' or 'earth' (farsh).

I say: 'Their wing and head and body remained the same' means their outward appearance and form stayed constant. But their inner state and disposition transformed. One who was 'a Moses upon the Throne' becomes 'a contemptible Pharaoh' on the 'ground.' Mehān here signifies abject and base-natured, not great or exalted. This implies that the luminous, divinely guided essence, upon descent and placement in a different environment, acquires a different disposition and turns into its opposite. This interpretation by Rumi is precisely the key point of 'dispositional receptivity' (khū-pazīrī) that I have often discussed.

In my view, this verse is truly an allegory for the tremendous influence of environment and companionship on one's inner self. As Rumi continues to say: 'Pursue a good disposition and sit with the good-natured / Behold the disposition-taking of rose oil.' Rose oil absorbs the scent of the rose; outwardly it is a different substance, yet the sweet essence of the rose has imbued it. Or, in another expression: 'The dust of the grave also gains honor from a righteous man.' Soil that contains the pure body of a saint acquires honor and sanctity through its proximity to that pure body. If soil possesses such a quality, and if oil takes on the disposition of the rose, then how can the human spirit remain untouched by the influence of its companions and environment?

Thus, the issue is not what outward changes occur; rather, it is how the inner self, the spirit, and moral qualities transform due to the 'ground' (farsh) and 'companionship' (ham-nishīn). This is a warning; an invitation to self-awareness and the conscious choice of one's environment and associates. Being Moses or becoming Pharaoh depends, more than on one's initial essence, on 'where one is' and 'with whom one sits.' This is the fluid and impressionable nature of the human soul that Rumi constantly emphasizes.

Key takeaways

• Outward constancy can coexist with inner transformation; true change resides within.
• The profound influence of environment and companionship on one's spiritual destiny is undeniable.
• A lofty, Moses-like status can degrade into a base Pharaoh due to earthly descent and assimilation of its qualities.
• The verse serves as a warning to guard one's inner self and to make conscious choices about one's environment for growth and elevation.