M1:432 — رو ز سایه آفتابی را بیاب / دامنِ شه شمس تبریزی بتاب

Translation: From the shadow, go find a Sun / Cling to the skirt of King Shams of Tabriz. Meaning: To emerge from the illusory realm of shadows and attain the true, everlasting light, one must seek a sun-like guide and take refuge in the embrace of a divine saint, epitomized here by Shams-e Tabriz.

In this verse, Mowlana issues a profound call to spiritual journeying: "Seek the Sun, away from the shadow." The 'shadow' here symbolizes all that is transient and perishable – anything that rises and sets, anything that, by the decree of Lā uhibbu al-āfilīn ("I love not those that set"), is unworthy of ultimate love and worship. As I have often explained in the context of Abraham's declaration, the stars, moon, and sun (which can be interpreted as sensation, imagination, and intellect) are all subject to setting; they cannot be relied upon or taken as the ultimate Beloved. The "Sun" that Mowlana commands us to find is that eternal, pre-existent Truth which never sets – God Almighty. He alone is worthy of our complete love and trust.

But how does one find this Sun? Mowlana immediately provides the practical path: "Cling to the skirt of King Shams of Tabriz." For Mowlana, Shams-e Tabrizi was the perfect embodiment, the full manifestation, of this Sun of Truth. He was, in essence, one of the Awliyā Allāh (friends of God) who reflected the divine light in his very being. This direct, explicit reference to Shams is exceptionally rare and deeply significant in the Masnavi. Mowlana typically exercised great restraint, seldom uttering Shams's name overtly. This instance, therefore, is one of the very few where he does so, serving as a testament to Shams's unparalleled grandeur and pivotal importance in Mowlana's life and thought.

To "cling to the skirt" signifies seeking spiritual guidance and mentorship – a practical injunction to find a living, present guide. If Shams himself (due to absence or the passage of time) is not directly accessible, Mowlana, in the subsequent verse, points to Hesamoddin Chalabi. This suggests that in every era, there exists a Walī-ye Zamān (saint of the age) or a perfect master available to assist seekers. This Sufi perspective emphasizes the continuous presence of divine guardianship, rather than awaiting a hidden Imam. Such a walī is a sun who himself draws light from the greater Sun of Truth and can liberate others from the shadows of illusion and worldly attachments, guiding them back to their origin. This beyt is, in essence, an invitation to surrender and devotion to a perfect guide, enabling the seeker to escape the bondage of all that is āfilīn.

Key takeaways

• Escape from shadows (transient phenomena) is achieved by finding the "Sun" (eternal Truth).
• For Mowlana, Shams-e Tabrizi embodies the "Sun of Truth" and is a perfect divine saint.
• The principle of Lā uhibbu al-āfilīn is fundamental: nothing that sets is worthy of ultimate love or trust.
• The necessity of finding a living, present spiritual guide (Walī-ye Zamān) for the mystical path.
• Mowlana's explicit mention of Shams, despite his usual restraint, underscores Shams's unparalleled significance.
• "Clinging to the skirt" symbolizes submission and discipleship to a spiritual master.