M6:508 — راه دین زان رو پر از شور و شرست / که نه راه هر مخنث گوهرست

Translation: The path of faith is therefore full of turmoil and strife, For it is not the way of every unsteadfast essence.

Meaning: This verse asserts that the journey of faith is inherently fraught with challenges and tribulations, and these very difficulties serve to distinguish those of firm resolve from those of wavering or unsteadfast character.

This profound and multifaceted verse, presented by Mawlana in the sixth book of the Masnavi, serves as a true elucidation of the nature of the path of faith and, specifically, the role of 'fear' within it. I maintain that Mawlana here points to a fundamental insight: the path of religion is full of 'shoor-o-shar,' meaning it is fraught with anxiety, perils, and difficulties. These challenges are not accidental; they themselves are a tool for 'tamyiz,' for discernment. It is a truth that the path of love and faith is not a smooth or easy one; it is unique, and for this reason, only unique essences traverse it.

The term 'mukhanas-gowhar' (مخنث گوهر) here refers to one who lacks steadfastness of character or spiritual fortitude, as if neither fully masculine nor fully feminine in the sense of authenticity and decisiveness; in ancient times, this word denoted someone unreliable and unstable. Mawlana states that this path is not for such a person. It is as if these difficulties act like 'parvizān' (sieves), separating the bran from the wheat, distinguishing the authentic essence from the impure. This fear and peril are, in themselves, a divine test for souls. Those who plunge into the sea and do not shy away from danger reap the fruits of their fearlessness. However, the 'glass-souled merchant afraid by nature' (tājir-i tarsandeh-tab'-i shisheh-jān), who, out of excessive caution, does not step onto the perilous path, not only gains no profit but is also deprived of 'drinking light,' because 'drinking light' demands readiness for 'consuming flames.'

Our age, this 'age of 'āqeli' (prudence and reason), is an era of caution, of weighing profit and loss. Reason aims to maximize profit and minimize loss. But 'ishq' (love) is brazen; it surrenders to tribulation and endures hardship. Just as Kierkegaard, the great Danish existentialist philosopher, stated years later, 'Faith is a leap in the dark.' This leap, this decision and action, this step forward, demands daring and risk-taking. The future of nothing is guaranteed, and in matters of faith and love, this risk is a hundredfold greater. A swimmer entering the sea, even if skilled, is not guaranteed salvation; sometimes, the terrifying waves of the sea overcome all their skill. For this reason, the timid are better off sitting on the shore, and as Sa'di said: 'In the sea are countless benefits, / But if you wish for safety, stay by the shore.'

Thus, the path of faith is itself a test for the true mettle of human beings. This turmoil, strife, and danger are not obstacles, but an integral part and a purifying instrument of this path; a path that only pure and courageous essences reach their destination.

Key takeaways

• The path of faith is intentionally full of hardship and danger, not by chance.
• This 'turmoil and strife' is a divine instrument for distinguishing true essence from the unsteadfast.
• Only resilient and courageous souls can walk this path; those of wavering character are sifted out.
• The perils of this journey are a test for souls, demanding audacity and boldness, not cautious preservation.
• Faith, as Kierkegaard put it, is a 'leap in the dark,' incompatible with pure reason and profit-loss calculation.
• Staying on the safe shore, while guaranteeing safety, deprives one of the countless benefits of the sea.