M1:134 — صوفی ابن‌الوقت باشد ای رفیق / نیست فردا گفتن از شرط طریق

Translation: O friend, the Sufi is a child of the present moment; Saying 'tomorrow' is not a condition of the Path.

Meaning: This verse emphasizes the critical importance of living fully in the present and acting promptly on the spiritual path, rather than deferring spiritual endeavors to the future.

This verse is uttered in the midst of a fervent inner dialogue between Mowlana and the 'Soul' or 'Divine Messenger' (which can also be seen as reflecting his relationship with Husam al-Din Chalabi, whom Mowlana considered his very soul). Mowlana had previously articulated the difficulty of expressing the secrets of separation and heartbreak, wishing to postpone their exposition to 'another time.' Here, the 'Soul' insists, stating:

“Said, ‘Feed me, for I am hungry; And make haste, for time is a cutting sword.”

It pleads, 'Quench my hunger,' and 'Hurry, for time is a sharp sword.' It is at this point that the Soul, invoking a deeply rooted Sufi principle, tells Mowlana: “O friend, the Sufi is a child of the present moment; / Saying 'tomorrow' is not a condition of the Path.”

In Sufi discourse, the term 'Ibn al-waqt' (child of the moment) holds a far more profound meaning than the modern connotation of 'opportunist.' Sufis employed this term in two primary senses. Firstly, it referred to one who undertakes every task at its proper, designated time, neither prematurely nor belatedly. More significantly, Ibn al-waqt designated a seeker (salik) who is entirely responsive to and governed by their current spiritual state or 'ḥāl.' This means that if a state of qabḍ (spiritual contraction or gloom) prevails, they act in accordance with it; if basṭ (spiritual expansion or joy), they express that joy; if sorrow, they embrace it. Such a seeker should not yearn for basṭ during qabḍ, or vice-versa. This principle was particularly pertinent for those at the initial stages of the path, who had not yet achieved complete mastery over their spiritual states and were, thus, 'children' of their time. This contrasts with an 'Abū al-waqt' (father of the moment), a master or shaykh who has attained control over and can even originate their own spiritual states.

Here, the 'Soul' reminds Mowlana that time is fleeting, and opportunities must not be lost. The spiritual fervor and motivation for articulating these sacred secrets, which now stir within him, might not endure until tomorrow; their warmth could dissipate. A Sufi must grasp the 'cash of the present' (naqd-i ḥāl) and not defer it to the 'credit of tomorrow' (nasīʾa). To turn cash into credit is to lose the current capital, to let it vanish. This is a clear spiritual injunction: eschew procrastination in all spiritual matters. Spiritual impulses and raptures often arrive like lightning flashes and then recede; one must seize and act upon them in that very instant.

Nevertheless, Mowlana, in his characteristic manner, responds to this insistence from the 'Soul': “The secret of the Beloved is better kept hidden; / Listen to it within the context of other tales.” He asserts that the secrets of the Beloved and the truth of his own state with Shams cannot be revealed explicitly. Instead, they must be gleaned, through allusion and allegory, from the interwoven narratives and parables of others. The entire Masnavi is precisely such a 'telling of others' tales' which, in its essence, constitutes Mowlana's 'report of his own present state' and his secret with Truth. This verse not only articulates a vital principle of spiritual conduct but also serves as an integral part of Mowlana’s unique method of subtly unveiling profound secrets.

Key takeaways

• A Sufi must perpetually live in the 'now' (al-waqt) and remain faithful to their momentary spiritual states and inspirations.
• The concept of 'Ibn al-waqt' implies submission to one's spiritual 'ḥāl' (state); it is about timely responsiveness to inner qualities, not opportunism.
• Procrastination and saying 'tomorrow' in spiritual endeavors leads to the loss of 'naqd-i ḥāl' (the cash of the present moment) and spiritual energy.
• Time is a cutting sword; spiritual opportunities and inspirations must be seized and acted upon without delay.
• This verse is part of Mowlana's dialogue with his own soul, which urges him to convey spiritual secrets through parables and indirect narration.