M6:3751 — صورت یاری که سوی او شوی / از برای مونسی‌اش می‌روی

Translation: The form of a Beloved you journey towards, It is for their companionship that you proceed.

Meaning: This verse articulates that any movement towards a 'form' or a perceptible phenomenon is, in essence, a quest for a 'formless' meaning and the inner delight of companionship. Though one travels towards the Beloved, the ultimate goal of this journey is an 'intimacy' or 'fellowship' that is itself an abstract, formless concept.

This verse emerges from Rumi’s profound discourse on bi-ṣūrat (formlessness) and ṣūrat-parastī (form-worship). I have always emphasized that the key to understanding the Masnavi lies in grasping that this world of 'forms' has emanated from the 'Formless,' and the ultimate goal of all forms is to return to that Formless reality. Rumi traces this movement from form to formless even in our daily lives, demonstrating that even when we move towards something perceptible and 'formed,' what truly propels us from the depths of our soul is an 'unformed delight' (dhawq-i bi-ṣūrat).

Just here, Rumi states that our journey towards cities, towards tourism, towards any specific place, is always in pursuit of an 'unformed delight'—a pleasure, a happiness, which is itself neither spatial nor temporal. This verse provides a more precise instance of this very rule: when we journey towards 'the form of a Beloved' (ṣūrat-i yār), do we in fact cling to their mere physical form? No. What truly drives us is their 'companionship' (mūnisī) and the intimacy we seek with them. This intimacy, this fellowship, this spiritual closeness, is itself a formless and abstract concept. Thus, we have, in truth, moved through a form towards another formless reality. This chain of movement continues until we arrive at the 'Absolute Formless,' which is God.

Rumi explicitly says: 'Then in meaning you went towards the Formless / Though you were unaware of that very aim.' This means that even if we outwardly believe we are journeying towards a Beloved's form, inwardly and in reality, it is this 'formless intimacy' that draws us and ultimately guides us to the Absolute Formless. I state with certainty that all human beings in this world, wittingly or unwittingly, consciously or unconsciously, are 'formless-seekers' and are searching for God. Even one who pursues physical or material pleasures is, in fact, transcending the 'form' of those pleasures, seeking a 'state of unawareness' and a formless experience of those delights, however varied the rank of this unawareness and formlessness may be.

In this context, Rumi, prior to this verse, speaks about kadd (begging) and asserts that 'If a form seeks perfection from another form / That would be utter error (ʿayn-i ḍalāl).' That is, begging from another needy one, or seeking perfection from another form, is pure straying. 'How can a needy one ask another needy one?' This is a question that must always be pondered. When we go towards a form and ask something of it, we must be aware that that form is itself needy and receives sustenance from the Formless. Therefore, the ultimate movement must be towards the Absolute Formless. This is like the analogy I cited: 'Seek little water, bring thirst to your hand / So that your water may well up from above and below.' One must empty one's hands and self, so that the Formless may pour into us. The journey towards the Beloved is also a journey from form to formless, so that in our 'self-annihilation' (afnā-yi khwīsh), we may unite with that Formless essence.

Key takeaways

• Every movement towards a 'form' (appearance) is essentially a quest for a 'formless meaning.'
• The primary goal of seeking the 'Beloved' is not their physical form, but the 'intimacy' and 'companionship' which are themselves formless concepts.
• Even in material pleasures, the underlying motivation transcends the material form, seeking 'formlessness' and a deeper experience.
• All human beings, consciously or unconsciously, are 'formless-seekers' and are in pursuit of God.
• Seeking perfection from another 'form' (one needy person from another) is 'utter error'; one must turn towards the Absolute Formless.