M6:1913 — ور شود آن فاش هم غمگین مشو / که نیابد غیر تو زان نیم جو

Translation: And if it becomes manifest, do not grieve; For none but you will find even half a barley-corn of it.

Meaning: This verse reassures us that one's destined portion or spiritual insight, even if unveiled to others, is exclusively theirs, and no one else can claim or diminish it.

This verse explicitly instructs us not to fear or be anxious about what divine decree has ordained for us. Whether it is material sustenance, a spiritual truth unveiled to our heart, or a special boon granted on the path of spiritual journey; even if this secret or gift becomes manifest to others, do not worry that someone might snatch it from you. Rumi here declares with absolute certainty that not even half a barley-corn of what is designated for you will reach another. This is a foundational point in Tawḥīd-i Afʿālī (the Oneness of Divine Acts): the sustenance and portion of each individual is distinct and predetermined, and no one else has a share in it. He illuminates this concept in another verse:

Upon every morsel it is secretly inscribed, That this is the provision of so-and-so, son of so-and-so.

Thus, all that comes to you is yours, with your name inscribed upon it. This teaching is not only comforting but also prevents envy and stinginess, as you know that what has reached another is their share, and what is yours will never go to another.

Furthermore, Rumi extends this lesson to delays in achieving results. He states that even if this spiritual opening or union is prolonged and does not come quickly, you should never despair. Rather, your litany (wird) should be “Lā taqnaṭū” (Do not despair). This Quranic command, “Lā taqnaṭū min raḥmat Allāh” (Do not despair of God’s mercy), is a key principle for navigating the trials of time on the spiritual path. Qunūṭ (with the letter ṭāʾ) means despair and hopelessness, and Rumi here emphasizes avoiding despair, in contrast to qunūt (with the letter tāʾ), which refers to the supplication in prayer. Therefore, if a prayer is answered late or an effort does not bear fruit quickly, one should not give in to despair but should trust in divine timing and decree. This message resonates with the “joy in the heart of sorrow” that pervades the Masnavi; a sorrow that does not lead to despair but is a sign of seriousness and surrender on the path, ultimately culminating in immense joy, just as in the tale associated with this verse, the Sufi, upon awakening from the dream of good tidings, was beside himself with happiness.

Key takeaways

• Each person's sustenance and portion are predetermined and belong exclusively to them.
• Worrying about others taking your share is baseless.
• Even if one's provision or spiritual merit becomes known to others, it cannot be taken away.
• When faced with delays in achieving results, despair is not permissible; one must seek refuge in 'Lā taqnaṭū'.
• Trust in divine timing and decree brings peace to the seeker's heart.