M5:170 — گفت این سو آ مکن هین با خود آ / که ازین سو هست با تو کارها

This couplet marks a pivotal moment in the story where the Prophet Muhammad intervenes to pull the distraught Arab guest out of his spiral of regret and self-condemnation. The Arab, overwhelmed by the Prophet's kindness after his prior rudeness, was on the verge of losing his mind (M5:168). The Prophet's gentle but firm call, "Come this way," is an invitation to shift his focus from his own self-recrimination to an external, higher purpose. The phrase "do not be with yourself now" (مکن هین با خود آ) is crucial; it advises against being consumed by one's own thoughts, feelings, and ego, especially when those thoughts are destructive. It's a call to abandon the 'self' that is trapped in shame and to turn towards the 'other' – in this case, the Prophet, who represents divine guidance and a path forward.

The second hemistich, "For from this side, there are tasks for you," reveals the reason for this redirection. It implies that the Arab's existence is not merely about his past mistakes or present feelings, but that a divine plan or a significant role awaits him. This 'side' (این سو) refers to the path of truth, faith, and service that the Prophet embodies. It suggests that his personal suffering, if properly transcended, can lead to a meaningful contribution. Rumi often emphasizes that self-annihilation (fana) is not an end in itself but a necessary step towards a higher form of existence and service (baqa), where one acts not from ego but from divine inspiration. Here, the Prophet is guiding the Arab towards such a transformative experience, where his 'tasks' (کارها) will be revealed.