M6:2970 — نیست جنسیت به صورت لی و لک / عیسی آمد در بشر جنس ملک

Translation: Kind is not by form, O heavens! / Jesus came among humans, yet was of the angelic kind. Meaning: Rumi posits that the true essence or spiritual lineage of beings cannot be discerned from their outward appearance. Jesus, though appearing human, exemplified this truth, being fundamentally of a heavenly, angelic nature.

This profoundly insightful verse from Rumi is an invitation to transcend appearances and delve into the inner reality of things. I have often contended that the superficial details of this world frequently ensnare us, distracting from the whole and the origin. Rumi declares with certainty that 'kind is not by form' (نیست جنسیت به صورت), meaning the true essence or species of any being cannot be discerned from its external guise. This is a recurring theme throughout the Masnavi, appearing in various forms: appearances are deceptive, and truth is concealed beyond them. As he stated elsewhere, 'The foam of the sea are the forms of the world; pass beyond the foam if you are of the pure-hearted.'

Then, to substantiate this claim, he resorts to an unparalleled example: 'Jesus came among humans, yet was of the angelic kind' (عیسی آمد در بشر جنس ملک). Jesus Christ, though he lived on Earth in human form, was fundamentally of the angelic species. His birth, his life, and his ascension to the heavens all testify to the fact that he was not of this earthly realm. His flight and ascent symbolize this truth: his essential 'kind' was not terrestrial, but rather like a bird released from a cage, returning to its true sky. Rumi previously noted this: 'He raised him beyond this blue rampart / The heavenly bird, like a sparrow to a raven.' This upward drawing was itself an indication that he was not of 'earthly kind' but of 'heavenly kind.'

Our exegetes have various interpretations regarding 'He raised him to Himself' (رفع الله الیه) mentioned in the Quran: was it a bodily ascension or merely the taking of his soul? However, Rumi's understanding of this event, rather than delving into theological interpretations, focuses on its essential meaning. He views Jesus's ascension as proof of his fundamental difference from other humans. This is akin to the analogy of the reed flute, into which the breath of God is blown, but the reed itself already possesses a specific nature and readiness that shapes that breath into a particular sound. Jesus, too, was a distinct vessel, not merely an ordinary human.

The profound lesson of this verse for us is that in understanding humans and even other beings, one should not be content with appearances. Many secrets and truths are hidden behind the veil of form, and only with a profound and patient gaze can one access them. I have always emphasized that to grasp such subtleties, one must have patience, one must test oneself, one must experience the vicissitudes of life, so that one's being reaches a level of flourishing where it can see the true 'kind' of things behind their outward 'form.' This is a perspective that, on the one hand, comprehends existential pluralism and, on the other, acknowledges the fundamental and essential differences among humans and phenomena, beyond what meets the eye.

Key takeaways

• The true essence of things and humans cannot be known from their mere appearance; form often veils reality.
• Jesus (PBUH) is a sublime example of a being with a human form but an angelic essence.
• Jesus's ascension and flight symbolize his heavenly 'kind' and his distinction from earthly beings.
• Grasping these profound truths requires inner growth, experience, and patience; haste in seeking knowledge is not permissible.