M6:1076 — گفت ما دو بندگان کوی تو / کردمش آزاد من بر روی تو

Translation: He said: We are both servants of your path, / I set him free for your sake. Meaning: Responding to the Prophet, Abu Bakr states that both he and Bilal are truly servants of the Prophet, and Bilal's freedom was granted solely for the Prophet's pleasure and countenance.

This couplet is uttered by Abu Bakr to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during the freeing of Bilal al-Habashi. The Prophet gently reproaches Abu Bakr, asking why he freed Bilal alone and did not make him a partner in the deed. Abu Bakr replies, saying: 'We two'—meaning both Bilal and I—'are servants of your path.' And he asserts that Bilal's freedom was granted 'for your sake,' out of reverence and devotion to the Prophet. This is a profound declaration of loyalty, where both Bilal and his liberator see themselves as utterly devoted to the Prophet's station.

However, this statement transcends a mere historical response; it embodies Rumi's profound insight into servitude and freedom, an insight echoed throughout the Masnavi and in the discourse of mystics. Rumi immediately continues Abu Bakr's response with: 'Keep me as a slave and 'yār-e ghār' (cave companion), / I want no freedom, by God.' Here, Rumi, through the voice of Abu Bakr—which is undeniably his own—illuminates the true nature of freedom.

Freedom, as understood by the mystics, is not merely liberation from external constraints to sever all forms of servitude. Rather, it is liberation from petty servitudes to attain the servitude of the most cherished and perfect Being. In this context, servitude does not imply captivity or humiliation, but rather a connection to the source of growth and transcendence, leading to one's 'higher self.' As Sa'di says, 'A night with the Friend in solitude is better than a hundred years in festivity,' for the gnostic and seeker, being in the Beloved's sanctuary is freedom itself.

Rumi, through Abu Bakr, declares: 'For in your servitude lies my freedom, / Without you, hardship and tyranny fall upon me.' These self-aware servants are not, in fact, in bondage; they are at the pinnacle of liberation. This paradox is beautifully articulated by Hafez: 'May Hafez never be free from those curling locks, / For those bound by your lasso are the truly liberated.' Meaning, those tied to the Beloved's tresses, ostensibly in chains, are in truth the most prosperous and free of people. The essence of this servitude is not self-loss but rather 'becoming more oneself.' In the company of one who brings growth and development, bringing the human closer to their deserving perfection, freedom lies in maintaining this sweet 'tyranny,' not in breaking away from it.

Here, Rumi teaches us another crucial point. He frequently reminds us that many stories in the Masnavi narrate his own inner state, not just historical facts. 'It is better that the secrets of others / Be told in the tale of others,' and 'Listen, friends, to this story, / It is truly the essence of our present state.' This dialogue between the Prophet and Abu Bakr, despite its historical roots, takes on the hue of Rumi's own inner 'state' (hāl) through his pen. This Abu Bakr is, in fact, Rumi himself, speaking of love and devotion to the Eternal Beloved, valuing it above all other freedoms.

Key takeaways

• Servitude to the Eternal Beloved is the apex of human freedom and perfection.
• True freedom is not breaking all bonds, but rather connecting to the bond of the most cherished Being.
• In the company of one who fosters growth, servitude itself is 'becoming more oneself.'
• Rumi's narrative of stories often expresses his own 'present state' (naqd-i hāl), not merely historical accounts.
• This couplet underscores the absolute love and loyalty towards Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Rumi's spiritual path.