M6:499 — دیو گرگست و تو هم‌چون یوسفی / دامن یعقوب مگذار ای صفی

Translation: The devil is a wolf, and you are like Joseph; / Do not abandon Jacob's skirt, O chosen one! Meaning: This verse warns the seeker that the devil lurks like a wolf, and to protect oneself from its snares, one must not forsake the support and guidance of divine masters and the righteous community.

Mowlana, in this potent and cautionary verse, likens the seeker to Joseph and the devil to a lurking wolf. Joseph, in the Quranic narrative, faced severe trials and temptations when he was separated from his family and left alone. This simile serves as a profound allegory for human vulnerability in solitude and detachment from true protectors and guides.

I firmly hold that Mowlana here takes an explicit stance against indiscriminate seclusion (kholvat-neshini) and severance from the community, contrary to some superficial interpretations. 'Do not abandon Jacob's skirt, O chosen one!' signifies holding fast to the hem of the divine masters and remaining within the assembly of truth-seekers. This act of being alone, of being 'the lone sheep' (shādh min al-ghanam) as mentioned in Nahj al-Balaghah, renders one prey to the wolf of the devil. 'The wolf often seizes its prey / When a six-month-old lamb wanders alone from the flock.' In solitude and isolation, the devil does not retreat; rather, it finds more fertile ground for temptation and deception, as the ego finds space for pride and self-delusion, making one imagine a false purity.

The path of spiritual journey is fraught with peril, demanding 'support and strength.' This 'strength' is not merely individual power, but, more importantly, collective might. Companionship with the righteous draws hearts closer, unifies resolves, and instills confidence. As Ghazali articulated, 'cooperation of hearts' (taʿāwun-e qulūb) and 'unity of wills' (ijtimaʿ-e himam) are vital in spiritual seeking. This mutual support liberates the seeker from doubt and propels them forward with greater self-assurance.

However, Mowlana also emphasizes discernment in choosing companions: 'But do not deem every lost one a companion / Do not deem the sleeping ignorant as aware.' A true companion must be empathetic and understanding, not 'camel-hearted' (ashtar-del), meaning cowardly, thereby deterring others with their fear, or seeking to plunder one's spiritual fortune. The path of religion is 'blood-soaked' (rāh-e por-khūn) and full of 'strife and turmoil' (shūr-o shar), not for every 'effeminate essence' (mukhannath-gowhar) or 'fragile soul' (shīsheh-jān). This very difficulty and 'fear' are divine filters, much like a 'sieve' (parvīzān) to distinguish brave and ready souls from the fearful and pretenders.

Thus, this verse is a clarion call for companionship, for community, and for adherence to true guides. The 'path' is defined by 'footprints' (par-neshān-e pāhā) left by previous travelers, and the 'companion' is a 'ladder of insights' (nardebān-e rāyhā) that elevates you. Do not stray from this known path and these sincere companions, lest you fall prey to the hidden wolves.

Key takeaways

• The devil, like a wolf, lurks in wait for the seeker, especially in solitude.
• Separation from the righteous community and divine masters makes the seeker vulnerable to temptations from the ego and the devil.
• 'Do not abandon Jacob's skirt' symbolizes holding fast to spiritual and communal support and guidance.
• Companionship is essential on the path of spiritual journey, but choosing the right companions (not the lost or the cowardly) is crucial.
• The difficulties and fears of the path are divine tests, sifting true seekers from pretenders and the faint-hearted.