M6:4111 — گر نبودی آن به دستوری پدر / برنیاوردی ز چه تا حشر سر

Translation: Had it not been for the father's permission (or guidance), He would not have emerged from the well until Resurrection. Meaning: This verse signifies that Joseph's ultimate liberation from the well was contingent upon his father's initial permission and underlying care; without it, he would have remained trapped indefinitely.

This verse emerges from Rumi's profound teaching that 'a blind person with a guide is better than a solitary certainty.' Here, Rumi delves into the tale of Joseph and Jacob to convey a crucial message about the indispensable role of a spiritual master (Pīr) in the journey of spiritual striving (sulūk). Joseph, with his father Jacob's permission, accompanied his brothers and was subsequently cast into a well. Yet, this 'permission of the father' (دستوری پدر), Jacob's consent and underlying grace, though seemingly leading to tribulation, was in essence the prelude to Joseph's ultimate liberation and ascent. Had it not been for this explicit permission and implicit care, Joseph would have remained in that abyss of darkness until the Day of Resurrection. Rumi argues that in life, and particularly in the spiritual quest, relying solely on 'solitary certainty' and self-will is not efficacious. Just as a blind person requires a guide, so too does the seeker need a Pīr to take their hand. The 'father' in this context symbolizes the spiritual master. Even if the Pīr directs you to a place that appears to be a 'well'—a path fraught with hardship—there is a hidden grace within that command which ultimately leads to salvation. This is far superior to fleeing from the 'harshness of the father' out of self-will, only to fall among 'thugs and mischief-makers' (لوطیان و شور و شر), or escaping a 'mosquito' only to deliver oneself to a 'scorpion.' That 'permission of the father' is a guarantee that opens a path to freedom even from the depths of the well, whereas self-reliance and rebellion leave one in perpetual 'blindness and bruises.' This verse teaches us that submission is key; not that we should abandon reason, but that we must recognize when consulting and trusting the wisdom and insight of a Pīr saves us from our own illusory certainties and shortens the path to truth.

Key takeaways

• Liberation from profound spiritual tribulations often depends on the permission and guidance of a spiritual master (Pīr).
• Self-reliance and adherence to 'solitary certainty' in the spiritual path can lead to deeper entrapments than Joseph's well.
• The grace and consent of the 'father' (spiritual Pīr), even if initially leading to hardship, guarantees ultimate salvation.
• The story of Joseph symbolizes a seeker who, despite falling into a well, is freed through the underlying permission and will of his father.
• The contrast between the pain of a 'father's harshness' and falling among 'thugs' underscores the critical importance of choosing the right guide.