M6:4362 — امنشان از عین خوف آمد پدید / لاجرم باشند هر دم در مزید

Translation: Their security appeared from the very essence of fear; Inevitably, they are every moment in increase. Meaning: Mowlana states that mystics attain a unique security precisely because they have traversed perils and suffering; this security emerges from the heart of fear itself, leading to their continuous spiritual growth.

Mowlana, in this couplet immediately following the description of mystics as those who have “crossed the sea of blood,” reveals that true security for spiritual wayfarers is a paradoxical and astonishing phenomenon. This security does not result from the absence of fear, but rather arises from the “very essence of fear” (ayn-e khowf), from the heart and substance of dread itself. This is a profound insight: mystic security is not merely calm after a storm, but a quality of peace that forms within and through the very midst of danger and fear. These two apparent opposites, security and fear, are intrinsically intertwined for the mystic, such that sometimes security resides within fear, and sometimes fear within security. The seeker attains security by confronting fears and bravely traversing them, not by fleeing or ignoring them.

This “appeared from the essence of fear” signifies a process of inner transformation. Just as we observe in God’s subtle graces (lotf-e khafi) how guidance sometimes emerges from error and forgiveness from sin, here too, security is born from fear. It is the subtle grace of the Divine that places the antidote within the venom. The mystic learns never to be bi-vaja (without fear/caution); meaning no virtuous person should consider themselves safe from falling into error, even prophets daily asked God for the straight path. This sacred fear, the fear of straying and self-deception, keeps the mystic vigilant and awake on the path. This fear is not paralyzing, but life-giving, as it prevents arrogance and self-admiration, compelling the individual to always walk on the razor's edge of caution.

The result of this paradoxical relationship between security and fear is “inevitably, they are every moment in increase.” This means that the state of security arising from the heart of fear is not static but continuous and ever-increasing. Every moment, the mystic is progressing and expanding; a progression that deepens and strengthens with each encounter with fear and every brave step on the path. This is perpetual growth under the gaze of wakefulness and caution, not in heedlessness or false security. This security, unlike fleeting worldly safety, intensifies with every trial and suffering, elevating the seeker to higher planes of insight and tranquility.

Key takeaways

• The true security of mystics emerges from confronting fears and dangers, not by escaping them.
• In Mowlana's view, opposites (like security and fear) are interconnected at higher levels of gnosis, even giving birth to one another.
• This security is not a static state but a continuous and ever-increasing process of growth for the seeker.
• The sacred fear of error and deviation is a vital part of the spiritual path, preventing arrogance and heedlessness.
• This couplet exemplifies Divine 'subtle grace' (lotf-e khafi), which places the antidote within the venom.