M6:4169 — اندر آن دستی که نبود آن نصاب / آن شکسته به به ساطور قصاب

Translation: And that hand that possesses not its due portion (of love's service), It is better broken by the butcher's cleaver. Meaning: This verse captures the radical fervor of the lover: any bodily limb, such as the hand, that fails to serve the Beloved and contribute to union, is deemed worthless, and its destruction is preferable.

This verse is a continuation of the fiery declarations of the impatient lover, who has turned away from all worldly prudence and rational considerations, seeing the Beloved as the sole ultimate purpose of his entire being. From this perspective, the existence of any bodily limb finds meaning only in its service to the Beloved; anything that deviates from this path is superfluous, if not detrimental.

In this section of the Masnavi, Mowlana, through the voice of this fearless lover, delves into the radicalism of love. This is the stage where ardent lovers declare to their admonishers: 'My patience died the night that Love was born / It passed away; may you, the present ones, live long.' In such a state, fear of death and loss, or even concern for physical well-being, fades into insignificance. The lover perceives his bodily organs merely as instruments for attaining the Beloved, and if an instrument proves ineffective, it must be discarded.

I contend that 'naṣāb' here signifies a 'sufficient and worthy share or portion.' As Hafez states: 'Acquire the jewel of gnosis, which you may take with you / For the share of gold and silver belongs to others.' While the 'naṣāb' of gold and silver represents an ordinary, worldly portion, the 'naṣāb' of the lover's hand is a spiritual and sacred share. If a hand fails to fulfill this sublime portion—if it cannot write for the Beloved, point towards Him, or reach out to Him—its existence is not only meaningless but obstructive. Mowlana extends this extreme view to other organs as well: 'A throat that proves unworthy of that wine [of love] / Is better severed by the sword and spear,' or 'An eye that takes no joy in His union / Is better blind and whitened.' He applies the same logic to the ear and foot. This resolute statement signifies that in the realm of love, no compromise is acceptable regarding humanity's ultimate existential purpose; anything that deviates from this primary goal is condemned to annihilation, even if it is a part of one's own body.

Key takeaways

• The 'naṣāb' in this verse refers to the spiritual share and service rendered by a limb in the path of the Beloved.
• From the perspective of the radical lover, the utility of bodily organs lies solely in serving and attaining the Beloved.
• Physical well-being becomes inconsequential compared to the realization of love, with absolute value placed on the Beloved's goal.
• This verse exemplifies the most extreme and decisive form of radicalism and fearlessness in love.