M6:1001 — پیش خر خرمهره و گوهر یکیست / آن اشک را در دُر و دریا شکیست

Translation: To a donkey, a donkey-bead and a jewel are one; for that ʾishk (donkey), there is skepticism regarding pearls and the sea. Meaning: This verse asserts that for one lacking the discernment to recognize true value, there is no difference between a worthless bauble and a precious gem; such a one fails to grasp intrinsic worth and may even deny its existence.

This verse is uttered in the context of the Prophets' "trade," where they taught humanity to acquire "true goods" and "profitable commodities," as opposed to the "magical wares" offered by devils and enchanters. Here, Rumi delves into a profound philosophical and epistemological point: the fundamental difference between humans and animals in perceiving reality and attributing "value."

To an animal, such as a donkey, there is no difference between a khar-mohreh (a worthless bead, often hung around a donkey's neck) and a precious jewel like a pearl or a ruby. Both are merely objects, devoid of intrinsic worth. This indifference stems from the animal's lack of iʿtibār (valuing, crediting, symbolic recognition) unlike humans.

Animals are not "agents of iʿtibār." They do not perceive something "as something else," nor do they imbue it with symbolic value. A piece of rock for an animal is simply a piece of rock; for a human, it can be a "jewel." Beauty or ugliness, preciousness or worthlessness, are all conventional (iʿtibārī) concepts rooted in human consciousness and the rational soul (nafs-i nāṭiqa). A voted ballot paper in a box is just paper to an animal, but to a human, it is a "vote." This distinction does not exist in the animal kingdom.

Rumi reinforces this concept in the second hemistich by using the Turkish word ʾishk (meaning donkey/ass). He states that such an ʾishk (donkey) is skeptical about, or even denies, the existence of dorr (pearls) and the daryā (sea – the source of gems). "He denies the sea and its jewels." This is not merely a failure to recognize value, but a fundamental denial of valuable realities. This denial arises because God has not placed in animals the faculty to discern symbolic and ornamental values. "In the animal's head, God has not placed the desire to cherish rubies and pearls."

Rumi's emphasis on this distinction highlights the significance of aḥsan al-taqwīm (the best of stature) in humans. It is through this rational soul and the power of iʿtibār that humans can grasp spiritual values, distinguish between truth and illusion, between a jewel and a donkey-bead. One who lacks this faculty of discernment will ultimately not only fail to recognize the jewel but will also deny the sea itself – the source of all gems and divine knowledge. This is an epistemological admonition for those whose inner eye is closed, who gaze only at the outward form, and lack the capacity to comprehend the depth and inner reality of the cosmos.

Key takeaways

• The key difference between humans and animals lies in the capacity for iʿtibār (attributing symbolic value and meaning).
• One lacking the faculty of discernment cannot distinguish a jewel from a worthless bead, equating truth with falsehood.
• The word ʾishk (Turkish for donkey) is a clever linguistic play, serving as a metaphor for ignorance and lack of insight.
• Beyond merely failing to recognize value, the denial of higher truths and values amounts to negating their very existence.
• The sea and pearls symbolize divine knowledge and precious truths, which only the insightful can comprehend and seek.
• This verse critiques those who only perceive the superficial aspects of existence, failing to grasp its profound depths and inner realities.