M6:3910 — سر بدی پیوسته خود را دم مکن / پا و دست و ریش و سبلت گم مکن

Translation: You, who have always been the head, do not make yourself the tail; Do not lose your feet, hands, beard, and mustache. Meaning: This verse admonishes the individual who constantly advises and guides others to attend to their own self, rather than losing their true essence amidst the clamor of preoccupation with others.

This verse emerges within a sequence of Mowlana's verses, directly and incisively addressing those who spend a lifetime advising others yet remain oblivious to their own selves. Mowlana here states unequivocally: “You, who have always been the head, do not make yourself the tail.” You, who have always stood in the position of leadership, guidance, and counsel, now it is your turn to be your own leader and counselor. Do not deem yourself insignificant, and not only refrain from becoming a mere 'tail' to others, but also do not lose sight of your own selfhood.

I have repeatedly emphasized that Mowlana had little patience for philosophical, theological, or jurisprudential 'weavings' (بافندگی). We saw earlier how he spoke of 'weaving,' and through a dear friend, the late Dr. Seyyed Jafar Shahidi, I recalled how he described these grand intellectual achievements as 'weavings' – the construction of worlds out of words that, while dazzling to the eye, are inwardly hollow. Mowlana asks: after a lifetime spent acquiring knowledge and offering counsel, what was the result for you? Did you “make a coat for yourself from that fabric” that would prove useful? This verse, in the same vein, implores us not to “lose” that essential core of our being and our true identity.

The phrase “feet, hands, beard, and mustache” refers not merely to the external bodily parts, but to the entirety of our existence, identity, and, in modern terms, our Self. Mowlana advises: amidst the clamor of advising others, amidst this boasting of knowledge and wisdom, amidst this ambition to reform the world, do not lose yourself. This loss of self is the greatest detriment. I like to articulate this by saying that we acquire knowledge and gain insight, not to become more jurisprudent, more philosophical, or more mystical, but to become 'more ourselves.' That is, to rediscover and solidify the authenticity and perfection of our own essence. In Mowlana's own words, 'My 'I' should become more 'I,' more complete.'

This is a central point throughout the Masnavi and, indeed, in all of our mysticism. 'Self-knowledge,' which Mowlana calls 'the soul of all sciences,' is precisely what this verse and those preceding it emphasize: 'The essence of all knowledge is this, this: that you know who I am on the Day of Judgment.' If a person knows everything but does not know themselves, if they show the way to everyone but get lost themselves, this is the greatest loss and damage. So, this verse is a resolute command for self-reflection and introspection, before all our energy and attention are directed outwards.

Key takeaways

• Prioritize self-rectification and guidance before engaging with others.
• An individual must be their own leader and counselor, without losing their true self in the process.
• Do not neglect self-knowledge, which is the soul of all sciences, for the greatest loss is to lose oneself.
• The 'feet, hands, beard, and mustache' symbolize the totality and existential identity of the individual.
• The purpose of acquiring knowledge and insight is to become 'more oneself' and to perfect one's own essential being.