M1:379 — می‌رهانی هر دمی ما را و باز / سوی دامی می‌رویم ای بی‌نیاز

Translation: You, the Self-Sufficient (Bīnīyāz), deliver us from a snare each moment, / Yet again, we head towards another trap. Meaning: This verse speaks to humanity's inherent weakness and greed, leading us to constantly fall into new worldly traps, even as God repeatedly grants us deliverance.

This verse presents one of Rumi's most unadorned and heartfelt prayers, a spontaneous utterance reflecting the state of every seeker. Here, after recounting the tale of the cunning, Dajjal-like minister, Rumi suddenly turns inward, raising his hands in supplication and crying out for divine aid. This “expression of helplessness” (iẓhār-i ʿajz) reveals the dynamic oscillation of Rumi's spiritual states; at times he speaks from a place of profound spiritual strength, and at others, he, like any ordinary human, lays bare his weaknesses before God.

I consider this a universal human experience: one in which we find ourselves perpetually surrounded by a multitude of "snares and baits" (dām o dāna). These traps emanate not only from external circumstances but also, crucially, from within us—from our own "hapless greed" (ḥarīṣ-i bī-navā). Humanity is created with such avarice that upon glimpsing any bounty or morsel, we rush heedlessly towards it, thereby falling into the trap. This verse offers a profound image of human nature: even if we were to become as mighty and vigilant as a "falcon" (bāz) or a "simurgh" (sīmurgh), we are still "caught in new snares moment by moment" (dam ba dam mā basta dām-i novīm).

This implies that escaping one trap is no guarantee of absolute freedom; rather, it is a continuous cycle of falling and being liberated. It is as if an inner compulsion draws humanity towards yet another snare. Rumi's prayers in the Masnavi, as I have noted before, are spontaneous and "unceremonious" (bī-takalluf), arising suddenly, dictated by the "exigency of the moment" (muqtaẓā-yi mowqeʿiyat). Such a prayer is not premeditated but springs from the heart of a lived experience. Here, Rumi converses with God "intimately and sincerely" (ṣamīmāna va khāleṣāna), devoid of formalities or pretension.

What is paramount in this verse is the acknowledgment of humanity's constant weakness and perpetual need in the face of the world's endless snares, which are forever lying in wait. Addressing God as "the Self-Sufficient" (Bīnīyāz) in contrast to this weakness is a profound expression; it signifies that God has no need of us, yet He is always the Helper and the Deliverer. This prayer, while confessing human imperfection, simultaneously harbors the hope of boundless divine grace.

Key takeaways

• Despite human vigilance, innate greed and spiritual weakness lead individuals to constantly fall into new worldly traps.
• Divine deliverance occurs repeatedly, yet this liberation does not end the cycle of falling into snares.
• Rumi's prayer here is unadorned and arises from the heart of the moment, reflecting his intimate connection with God.
• Rumi acknowledges human weakness and need in the face of worldly snares, rather than complaining against God.
• God's Self-Sufficiency (Bīnīyāz) implies His independence from us, yet He consistently acts as our Helper and Deliverer.