M6:3375 — که حرم با هر چه دارم گو بگیر / تا بگیرد حاصلم را هر مغیر

Translation: Go, tell them to take my family and all that I possess; So that every plunderer may seize my harvest. Meaning: Spoken by a man desperately pleading for his horse's life, this verse expresses his his extreme willingness to sacrifice his entire family and all his worldly possessions, allowing any marauder to take his wealth, if only his cherished horse can be saved.

This verse recounts a state of profound attachment and devotion that may at first seem strange and unconventional, yet it represents the pinnacle of sincerity and earnestness in expressing a heartfelt desire. The man, whose horse is in peril, declares with his entire being—not out of politeness, but with absolute honesty—that he is willing to lose his entire haram (family) and all his possessions. Let the plunderers take everything he owns, if only that one horse remains with him.

Mowlana, through this story, beautifully illustrates how an object, in this case a horse, can acquire existential value for someone, to the point of being dearer than life itself. The plea, "This is not pretense, nor deceit," uttered by the suppliant, is the key to understanding this verse. He is not dissembling; his request springs from the depths of his being, even if it may be incomprehensible or even blameworthy to others.

This scene serves as a crucial reminder that human attachments do not always follow conventional logic or social valuations. Sometimes, a single thing, not for its material worth but due to a deep and inexplicable bond, becomes vital for an individual. It is here that Mowlana, with his characteristic subtlety, delves into the depths of the human psyche, depicting the difference between superficial attachments and those that are interwoven with the very 'soul.' As he states elsewhere in the narrative: "From wife, gold, and estate, there is patience; / This is not pretense, nor deceit." This statement reveals his unvarnished and explicit prioritization, a prioritization far removed from calculation or bargaining, arising instead from the genuine sincerity of an attached heart. Through such granular stories, Mowlana invites us to ponder the nature of 'value' and 'priority' in life, showing how, in moments of crisis, the veil is lifted from a person's true preferences.

Key takeaways

• The intensity of human attachment to a particular object can transcend all conventional standards.
• Sincerity in expressing inner desires, even if unconventional, holds more value than pretense or hypocrisy.
• This verse demonstrates Mowlana's interest in the psychological analysis of human attachments, free from moral judgment.
• The true value of something for an individual can be entirely different from its material or social worth.