M6:3874 — خشت را مگذار ای نیکوسرشت / لیک هم آمن مخسپ از دیو زشت

Translation: O noble-natured one, do not abandon the brick (your efforts), Yet do not sleep safely from the ugly devil. Meaning: Mowlana advises those of good character to persist in their virtuous deeds and spiritual efforts, but warns them never to feel entirely secure from the ugly devil of temptation and corruption, urging continuous vigilance.

Mowlana, in this concluding verse of an important narrative, issues a sharp and resolute warning: in our spiritual and ethical journey, we must never become complacent or feel entirely secure. "Do not abandon the brick, O noble-natured one"; this "brick" symbolizes good deeds, acts of worship, and the protective edifice that a human builds around themselves against harm. Mowlana is not advocating for the cessation of action; quite the contrary. He emphasizes that we should not abandon this foundation of good deeds, we should not let go of it. This aspect points to human agency and responsibility for one's own well-being. We must strive, we must lay brick upon brick to build a spiritual fortress around ourselves.

However, immediately he cautions: "Yet do not sleep safely from the ugly devil." This means that even with all these good deeds and the construction of this fortress, do not consider yourself entirely safe and do not fall into the sleep of heedlessness. The "ugly devil" symbolizes Satan, the commanding self (nafs-i ammāra), and the perils of pride, vanity, and self-conceit that constantly lie in wait. Mowlana speaks elsewhere of the immunity of sincere servants (mukhlasīn) from Satan – "Except your sincere servants among them." Yet, he clarifies that cultivating sincerity (ikhlas) is an exceedingly difficult task, not easily achieved. Even the sincere must be supported by Divine grace.

Here, Mowlana stresses that in this world, no one can truly consider themselves immune from corruption and harm. Just as no one can guarantee their physical health, spiritual and ethical well-being are constantly exposed to danger. This world is not a place of security; rather, it is a realm demanding continuous vigilance, unwavering care, and a constant plea for Divine grace. We must always seek safety and protection from God and place ourselves under the shelter of His care. This is the "grace like a mountain" (ʿināyat hamcho koh) that can become a barrier against the ugly devil. This balance between human effort and the need for Divine grace is one of the subtleties of Masnavi's wisdom. We act, but we do not boast of our actions; we build, but we know that the preservation of the edifice is only possible with Divine guardianship. The vigilance inherent in the "sleep of the wise" (nowm-i ʿālim) also transcends the "worship of the ignorant" (ʿibādat-i jāhil) precisely because the wise recognize the vulnerabilities and know from where the ugly devil might enter.

Key takeaways

• Never abandon good deeds and spiritual efforts; these 'bricks' build your spiritual fortress.
• Even with abundant virtue, never consider yourself immune from the harm of Satan and the soul's infirmities.
• True security is elusive in this world; we are constantly exposed to corruption and error.
• Sincerity (ikhlas) is the only shield against the devil, but attaining it is difficult and requires Divine grace.
• Spiritual and ethical safety demands perpetual vigilance and a continuous plea for God's protection and grace.