M6:1151 — خفته نه روز اندر آخر محسنی / هیچ کس از حال او آگاه نی

Translation: A virtuous one (muḥsin) has slept for nine days in a stable (ākhvar); no one is aware of his condition. Meaning: This verse describes the plight of a good and righteous person who is suffering in obscurity and illness, with their pain and condition known to no one.

In this verse and the story of Hilal, I discern Rumi's emphasis on several fundamental points. Firstly, the position of the muḥsin, the virtuous person, in both divine and human estimation. This muḥsin, this righteous servant, lies neglected in a corner, "slept for nine days in a stable," signifying a state of utter disregard and oblivion. The ākhvar here is a symbol of lowliness and forgottenness, not merely a place for animals; rather, it signifies places where "people of inner truth" and "companions of the Real" remain unrecognized and unappreciated by the common folk.

Rumi uses this image to brilliantly portray the condition of noble and profound individuals who, in the superficial eyes of the public, are deemed "worthless and unimportant" (kasād va bī-khaṭar). Hilal's master in this story represents that superficial gaze which fails to perceive inner virtues and merely considers outward gain or loss. This is precisely the "humiliation and unrecognized state" (taḥqīr va nā-shinākht) that befalls many pure souls; a suffering that remains hidden from earthly eyes.

However, the second and far more crucial point is the "divine revelation" (waḥy-i ḥaqq) which becomes the "revealer of the condition" (ghammāz-i ḥāl) of this virtuous person. That is, when earthly eyes become blind and remain unaware of the suffering, "divine mercy" (raḥm-i ḥaqq) steps in to console, reporting the servant's state to His messenger through revelation. This demonstrates that no suffering is hidden from the Real, and no act of virtue goes unnoticed by Him. This is the most comforting aspect of the narrative. Revelation here comes not to promulgate law, but to inquire after and visit (iftaqād va ʿiyādat) a servant who has been overlooked.

This story teaches us that the criterion of true worth is not being seen by people, but by the Real. The inner and essential significance of individuals, even in anonymity and solitude, never diminishes. This is a point I have often emphasized: Rumi teaches us to look past appearances and gaze upon inner realities, for forms are merely the foam of the sea, and what is essential is the ocean of the soul.

Key takeaways

• Inner virtue and true goodness often go unrecognized and unappreciated in the world.
• The 'stable' (ākhvar) symbolizes the lowly and forgotten state in which virtuous individuals may find themselves.
• What is hidden from human eyes is never concealed from the sight of God.
• Divine solicitude and compassion, even in the most private sufferings, are directed towards righteous servants; this is the 'Mercy of the Real'.
• A person's true worth lies not in being seen by creation, but in being known and regarded by the Divine.