M1:359 — جان دریغم نیست از عیسی ولیک / واقفم بر علمِ دینش نیک‌نیک

Translation: My soul is not begrudged for Jesus, yet I am very well acquainted with the knowledge of his religion.

Meaning: The cunning Vizier here proclaims his readiness to sacrifice his life for Jesus, but asserts that his profound knowledge of Christianity is too valuable to be lost, thus justifying his continued survival to transmit this wisdom.

This particular couplet is uttered by the Jewish Vizier in the Masnavi's story, as he elaborates on his intricate scheme to save himself and deceive the King. He presents himself as a devout Christian, ready to lay down his life for Jesus, but his true intentions are far from pious.

As I have frequently emphasized, the term makr (cunning, stratagem) fundamentally refers to the deployment of complex means to achieve a specific end. It is the nature of the end that determines whether the makr is laudable or reprehensible. In this narrative, the Vizier's objective is self-preservation and deception, rendering his makr blameworthy, yet he cloaks it in the raiment of piety and pure intention.

The Vizier declares here, "My soul is not begrudged for Jesus," ostensibly expressing readiness for sacrifice. However, this is immediately followed by a crucial valīk (yet, but), introducing a qualification and justification for not making that sacrifice at this very moment: "I am very well acquainted with the knowledge of his religion." He claims to be a "Christian scholar" (ʻālim-i Masīḥī) possessing "secrets" (asrār) of Christianity. This knowledge, in his estimation, constitutes "trusts and deposits" (vadāyiʻ va amānāt) that must be safeguarded and transmitted to future generations. Hence, his premature demise, he argues, would not merely be a personal tragedy but a collective loss: "It would be a pity for me if that pure religion / were to perish among ignoramuses." He portrays himself as a "guide" (rahnamā) for the "true religion," asserting that his death would be a detriment to the faith itself. This logic, employed by the Vizier, exemplifies makr at its most insidious: a self-serving rationalization disguised as altruism and religious stewardship, allowing him to protect his life and advance his deceitful agenda.

This method of character portrayal by Mowlana illuminates how the nafs-i ammāra (the commanding self) can clothe base motives in noble attire. It is often through such "lofty justifications" that individuals fall prey to their own deceptions and those of others. With these words, the Vizier not only secures his survival but also elevates himself to the status of a religious guardian and authority, a maneuver that represents the zenith of his cunning.

Key takeaways

• Unmasking the Vizier: The Vizier's pious words are a facade for cunning and deceit.
• The Nature of Makr: Makr is inherently neutral; its moral value is determined by its ultimate purpose. Here, the Vizier's purpose is deception.
• Self-Serving Justification: The human ego can present selfish motives under the guise of preserving religion and knowledge.
• Valuing Knowledge: The Vizier deems his knowledge so crucial that his continued existence is presented as essential for its preservation.