M6:3875 — رو دو تا مو زان کرم با دست آر / وانگهان آمن بخسپ و غم مدار

Translation: Go, by hand acquire two hairs' worth of that grace, And then sleep secure, and have no worries.

Meaning: This verse suggests that even a minimal portion of divine grace is sufficient for one to attain profound peace and freedom from worry, allowing for tranquil rest amidst the world's inherent instabilities.

In this verse, Rumi touches upon a critical point regarding the possibility of attaining peace and security in a tumultuous world. Prior to this beyt, Rumi states: “Do not abandon the brick, O well-natured one / Yet do not sleep secure from the ugly demon.” This means, do not forsake your safeguards and protections, but even with them, do not sleep safely from the ugly demon (which symbolizes corruption and danger). It is here that our verse offers a path to this seemingly unattainable security.

Rumi says: “Go, by hand acquire two hairs' worth of that grace.” “Two hairs” (دو تا مو) is an idiom for something extremely small, negligible; meaning, acquire even the tiniest particle, a mere two strands of hair's worth, of that divine grace and solicitude. This divine grace is that unseen divine guarantee which protects a person from harm, just as the Quran states that the sincere (mukhlaseen) are immune from Satan’s temptations. Acquiring this grace implies sincerity and self-effacement, becoming so pure in devotion to God that nothing of oneself remains.

Then, Rumi states the consequence: “And then sleep secure, and have no worries.” This means, then you can sleep peacefully and be free from all sorrow. However, I personally question, in interpreting this verse: In reality, who in this world can sleep so securely and be free from worry? We are constantly exposed to corruption in this world; we must always be vigilant. No one can guarantee their health for their entire life, as we are always susceptible to bacteria, viruses, or any ailment. This world is by no means a place of security. Even the virtuous should not consider themselves safe and should constantly seek security and grace from God, placing themselves under His protective care.

It is crucial to note that Rumi, with this statement, does not invite heedlessness or carelessness. Rather, he points to a higher state of tranquility; a peace that is not the product of detachment from external factors, but the fruit of direct reliance on divine grace. This “sleeping secure” and “having no worries” is of the kind of stillness and assurance that arises from awakening knowledge (ilm-e mustanbih), not from trivial knowledge and futile entanglements. The true scholar knows when to sleep and when to be awake, and recognizes the inroads of Satan. This peace is of the sort that Rumi mentions elsewhere: “The sleep of the wise is better than the worship of the ignorant,” but with the qualification “Such knowledge that brings awareness” (ān chonān ilmi keh mustanbih būd); meaning, knowledge that brings true awakening and awareness, not heedlessness. Therefore, the promise of security and freedom from worry in this verse is not a superficial or apparent ease, but a deep and lasting peace achieved only through an unbreakable bond with infinite divine grace—a bond that requires continuous vigilance and constant refuge in the Divine.

Key takeaways

• True peace and absolute security are contingent upon acquiring divine grace, however minimal it may seem.
• Threats and corruption in the world are ceaseless, requiring perpetual vigilance.
• Rumi's promise to "sleep secure and have no worries" does not imply ignorance or heedlessness, but deep and lasting reliance on divine favor.
• Authentic security emanates from the immunity granted to the sincere (mukhlaseen), not from discarding safeguards or overlooking dangers.
• This verse highlights a subtle distinction between human efforts for security (laying bricks) and seeking refuge in divine solicitude, the latter leading to a higher state of tranquility.
• The alleviation of sorrow and peace of mind promised by Rumi stems from an awakening knowledge that makes one aware of the truth of existence and the role of divine grace.