M6:504 — می‌رود با تو که یابد عقبه‌ای / که تواند کردت آنجا نهبه‌ای

Translation: He travels with you to find a pass (or opportune moment), where he can plunder you.

Meaning: This verse warns against a companion whose true intention is not sincerity, but rather to seek out a vulnerable moment or a strategic 'pass' in your journey, so that they can ultimately exploit and plunder you.

This couplet, beyond any doubt, is a deeply profound and vital warning from Mawlana concerning companions and associates in life's journey, especially on the winding path of spiritual quest. In this part of the Mathnawi, which discusses the prerequisites for jihad against mischief and agitation (shar o shur) and the importance of aid and strength, Mawlana addresses the significance of choosing fellow travelers, delineating the line between a true companion and a hidden brigand.

I firmly believe that Mawlana here points to a fundamental truth: in any journey, be it worldly or the path of religion, companionship is essential. However, not every companion is suitable. Just as the wise bird tells the hunter that help and strength are needed to overcome shar o shur, Mawlana asserts that these companions must be sincere, not opportunistic. As he says elsewhere, "Sincerity of heart is needed for the task / Else, companions will not be scarce for a companion."

The term aqabe (pass) here is not merely a mountain pass; it is a metaphor for any bottleneck, any moment of weakness, any crisis, or any golden opportunity that an opportunistic companion perceives as a chance to strike. And nahbe signifies plunder and pillage. This plunder is not merely financial; it can be spiritual plunder, the destruction of self-confidence, deviation from the path, or even the defilement of the soul and faith. One who accompanies you to find such a aqabe might appear to be a companion, but inwardly, they lie in wait to loot your very being at the first sign of a flaw in you.

This is precisely the point Mawlana makes elsewhere: "Whoever has a weak temperament and nature / Desires no one to be healthy." Such a companion, who is themselves oshtardel (cowardly), not only offers no help but effectively plays the role of a brigand. With their words, their fears, and their excuses, they dissuade you from the straight path, "teaching you to turn back from the road." This 'teaching' of theirs is, in fact, enmity, as it strips you of the courage and bravery necessary for this perilous journey.

Mawlana emphasizes that the path of religion is full of tumult and evil, and not every "mokhannas-gowhar" (weak-spirited) possesses the fortitude for this journey. This path demands courageous and far-sighted men and women who possess hazemi (prudence). A companion who themselves awaits an aqabe for nahbe stands directly opposed to this courage and serves as a negative filter for those who wish to embark on this path. Therefore, choosing a companion is an existential choice that determines the fate of the journey; one must "seek a companion from whom you find aid," and not one who "seeks an opportunity to steal your goblet." This is an ethical and mystical principle, the disregard of which can lead the seeker to ruin.

Key takeaways

• Exercise utmost caution in choosing companions for life's journey, especially in spiritual pursuit.
• Opportunistic associates are only seeking a weakness or 'pass' (aqabe) in your being to engage in spiritual or material 'plunder' (nahbe).
• A companion who is inwardly cowardly or weak-willed is not only unhelpful but acts as a brigand against your faith and courage.
• The path of religion and perfection is perilous, requiring courageous, sincere, and insightful companions, not those lying in ambush.
• 'Aqabe' is a metaphor for moments of weakness and crisis, where an insincere companion exploits rather than supports.
• Relying on such companions not only hinders progress but can lead to deviation and the loss of one's existential capital.