M6:3662 — رو نگردانیم از فرمان تو / کفر باشد غفلت از احسان تو

Translation: We shall not turn away from your command; / It would be disbelieving heedlessness of your beneficence. Meaning: In this verse, the princes declare their absolute obedience to their father's prohibition, asserting that to disregard his command, which they perceive as benevolent guidance, would be an act of profound ingratitude.

This verse is uttered in the context of the story of a Sultan and his sons in the sixth book of the Masnavi, where the Sultan forbids his children from venturing towards an enchanting fortress (daj-e hooshrobā). The sons respond with an emphatic declaration of obedience, saying, “Samiʿnā wa aṭaʿnā” (We hear and we obey). Their exact words are encapsulated in this very couplet: "We shall not turn away from your command; / It would be disbelieving heedlessness of your beneficence." While this command appears to be a prohibition, Mawlana, through it, unveils a deeper truth that I have frequently emphasized.

I contend that here, much like the narrative of Abraham—whom God commanded to sacrifice his son, yet fundamentally did not wish that command to be fulfilled—the Sultan, in his inner intention, does not desire his sons to obey his prohibition. God's will for Abraham was to resist, to engage in dialogue with God, or at the very least, to inquire about the wisdom behind such an ethically challenging command. God did not intend for Abraham to carry out the act to its completion; rather, He sought to reveal Abraham's inner resolve. Both aspects were lauded: Abraham's determination to sacrifice, and the ultimate prevention of Isaac's sacrifice. This serves as a timeless lesson that at times, God does not wish His command to be followed, and at other times, He desires His prohibition to be broken.

By analogy, in this narrative, Mawlana illustrates that divine commands and prohibitions—here symbolized by the Sultan's edict—possess both an outward verbal form and an inner reality. This Sultan, in fact, desired his sons not to obey his prohibition, but rather to go to that enchanting fortress; otherwise, he would not have forbidden them. This prohibition itself is a stratagem to draw the children towards a deeper experience and self-knowledge. It is not a mere simple command, but a form of God's will inscribed within human consciousness for their long-term welfare, even if it seemingly contradicts His outward decree.

The sons, given their superficial and literal understanding, perceive this prohibition as an act of the father's "eḥsān" (benevolence), believing that to ignore it would be "kufr" (disbelief and ingratitude). They remain oblivious to the fact that the father, through this very prohibition, is truly calling them towards a greater trial. This point is crucial for comprehending many complexities of the mystical worldview, which emphasizes the distinction between appearance and essence, as well as the hidden wisdom embedded in certain commands and prohibitions. God is never cornered if a servant outwardly 'breaks' His command; rather, such a breaking might well be part of His grander design and deeper wisdom.

Key takeaways

• Divine commands and prohibitions may carry an inner intention that differs from, or even contradicts, their outward form.
• The story of Abraham serves as a prime example of God's desire for resistance or deliberation in response to an apparent command.
• In this narrative, the Sultan, through his prohibition, is subtly inviting his sons towards a deeper, transformative experience.
• Blind obedience to the literal form of a command can signify heedlessness of its hidden benevolence and wisdom.
• The verse underscores the distinction between superficial understanding and profound insight into the will of spiritual authorities.