Lire› Livre 4› Le reste de l'histoire du peuple de Saba et des conseils et de la guidance de Salomon (paix sur lui) à chacun de la famille de Bilqis selon ses besoins et les problèmes de sa religion et de son cœur, et la capture de chaque espèce d'oiseau d'âme par le sifflement de cette espèce d'oiseau et son appât› Verset 850
M4:850 — چون به مرغانت فرستادست حق / لحن هر مرغی بدادستت سبق
M4:850
Sens · به زبانِ تو — Votre langue · AI
This couplet explains that God has equipped the spiritual seeker (likened to King Solomon) with the innate ability to understand and communicate with different types of 'birds'—representing various human souls or spiritual states—by speaking to them in their own 'language' or according to their specific needs and dispositions.
This beyt comes from a section where Rumi is discussing the story of the people of Saba and the guidance of Solomon, peace be upon him, to the family of Bilqis. Solomon's ability to understand the 'language of the birds' (manṭiq al-ṭayr) is a recurring motif in Sufism, symbolizing the spiritual master's insight into the hidden states and needs of disciples. Here, Rumi extends this metaphor to the spiritual guide or even any individual with a degree of spiritual discernment.
The 'birds' (murghān) represent different types of souls, each with its unique spiritual inclination, challenges, and 'language.' Just as a fowler uses a specific call and bait to attract a particular kind of bird, the spiritual guide must address each seeker according to their specific condition. The couplet emphasizes that this capacity is a divine gift: 'God has sent you forth to your own birds' and 'bestowed upon you the language of each bird.' This implies that the ability to connect with and guide diverse souls is not merely a learned skill but a grace, enabling the guide to offer tailored counsel.
The subsequent beyts (M4:851-855) elaborate on this by giving examples: speaking the language of 'compulsion' (jabr) to a 'bird of compulsion,' offering patience to a 'broken-winged bird,' and describing the 'qualities of Qaf' to the ʿAnqā (Phoenix). The core message is the necessity of individualized guidance—recognizing that different souls require different approaches on their spiritual journey, and that God has provided the means for such nuanced communication.
- مرغانت
- Your birds; here, referring metaphorically to different types of souls or individuals.
- حق
- God, the Truth, the Real.
- لحن
- Tone, melody, language, manner of speech.
- سبق
- Lesson, instruction, precedence; here, meaning the ability or knowledge given beforehand.
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