M6:3032 — گفت آخر نه یکی مردیست فرد / گفت منگر خوار در فردی مرد

Translation: The king said: "Is he not just one solitary man?" / He said: "Do not look down upon a solitary man." Meaning:* This verse asserts that the strength and resolve of a single individual, particularly one possessing inner fortitude and spiritual backing, should not be underestimated based on mere numbers; their inner composure can overcome any numerical superiority.

This verse is found within the narrative of Ja'far's (or perhaps Ja'far Tayyar's) solitary assault on a formidable castle. The king, observing the vast numbers of the enemy, dismisses the lone warrior as insignificant. However, the wise vizier offers a more profound insight, admonishing the king: "Do not look down upon a solitary man." He means, do not be deceived by appearances. This man may be outwardly alone, but his inner resolve is so firm that it is as if "the East and West are with him," and all within the castle tremble before him like mercury.

I have frequently emphasized that Mowlana places great importance on this jamʿiyat-i khāṭir (inner composure) and sakht-rūʾī (resilience or boldness). This is the very assurance and steadfastness that prophets exhibited when confronting numerous adversaries. A prophet, seemingly just one person, would "charge single-handedly against the armies of kings." This doesn't refer to mere physical strength, but rather to the divine power present within him, bestowing a courage that causes vast armies to disperse. Just as the butcher is not intimidated by the "multitude of sheep," the divine individual is unafraid of countless enemies.

This apparent solitude, coupled with profound inner power, stems from tawakkul (trust in God) and a connection to an eternal source. Such individuals are sabuk-rūḥ (light-souled); they are so liberated from worldly attachments that they are prepared for "flight" and self-sacrifice for their ideals. Mowlana even praises the Fadāʾīyān (Ismaili devotees) of his era, not for their specific ideology, but for this very lightness of soul and self-sacrifice, stating: "People are amazed by the Fadāʾīyān / But each of us is a Fadāʾī in nature." That is, do not be surprised; we are all Fadāʾī in some sense, but they sacrifice their lives at once, while we do so gradually.

Thus, the lesson of this verse is that authenticity lies not in quantity but in quality; it resides in that inner presence and the trust born of profound inner composure. A single individual can embody a power greater than hundreds or thousands, for they are no longer alone but accompanied by a superhuman force.

Key takeaways

• Appearances are deceiving: a person's true strength lies not in their numbers, but in their inner steadfastness and composure.
• Jamʿiyat-i khāṭir (inner composure) and tawakkul (trust in the divine source) are the wellsprings of unparalleled courage and boldness, transcending mere numerical superiority.
• The verse emphasizes that spiritual and inner forces can overcome material quantities; one individual can be more powerful than an entire army.
• Lightness of soul and freedom from worldly attachments prepare an individual for self-sacrifice and facing hardships; this readiness for 'flight' is a source of profound strength.