M6:3633 — الله الله زان دز ذات الصور / دور باشید و بترسید از خطر

Translation: By God, by God, beware that fortress, the Possessor-of-Forms (dhāt al-ṣuwar), / Keep your distance and fear its peril! Meaning: This verse issues a dire warning against the deceptive allure of the world or the ego, which, through its captivating forms and appearances, snatches away human reason and leads to grave danger.

This verse presents a profound and urgent warning, uttered by the king in this allegorical tale, a warning that, within its symbolic narrative, unveils the mystery of worldly deception. The repetition of "Allah Allah" (By God, By God) serves as a solemn oath and a desperate plea; it is as if a compassionate father implores his children, by God, to safeguard themselves from a grave peril. The "fortress, the Possessor-of-Forms (dhāt al-ṣuwar)" — also named "Mind-Snatcher (hūsh-rubā)" in the preceding verse — symbolizes the world with its myriad appearances and embellishments, or the commanding self (nafs-i ammāra) with its seductive allure, which steals away intellect and reason.

I firmly believe this "fortress of forms" is an explicit metaphor for the world and all its temptations. This world, in Rumi's estimation, is a chamber akin to the one Zulaykha adorned entirely with her own images to ensnare Joseph. Her aim was that wherever Joseph cast his gaze, he would see her image and involuntarily be captivated. The world operates in precisely the same manner; it arrays itself with various manifestations and beautiful images to deceive us and make us oblivious to our true origin.

This danger is so formidable that it "constricts even the crowned ones (kalleh-dārān qabā)," meaning it narrows the arena of action even for those who possess crowns of wisdom and sagacity, ensnaring them in its deception. The mind-snatching power of this fortress temporarily suspends the discerning faculty of reason, leading individuals to make judgments that may ultimately not be in their best interest. This is the precise point where one falls from the path of felicity into the autumn of misfortune.

Therefore, this verse is not merely a moral injunction but an articulation of a deep existential truth: humanity is constantly exposed to the deception of appearances, and liberation from this deception requires vigilance and a return to one's origin. This allegorical story clearly demonstrates that the purpose of this warning is liberation from pride and heedlessness, and the ransoming of the soul from the clutches of the lower self and its demons, as Rumi states later in this discussion: "O you whose God has bought you back from pride." This salvation is a path towards the gardens of Divine Grace, plunging into the ocean of God's generosity, directly and without need for conduits or waterskins.

Key takeaways

• The repeated "Allah Allah" serves as a grave oath and warning against worldly deception.
• The "Fortress of Forms" is a metaphor for the world or the lower self, which, through its alluring appearances, snatches away reason.
• The story of Zulaykha and Joseph perfectly illustrates the deceptive mechanism of the world and the ego.
• This deception is so potent that even the "crowned ones" (those of wisdom and standing) are vulnerable to it.
• The ultimate goal of this warning is liberation from pride and heedlessness, leading to a return to Divine Grace.