M6:2222 — از مفلسف گویم و سودای او / یا ز کشتیها و دریاهای او

Translation: Shall I speak of the mofallasaf (philosopher) and his preoccupation, / Or of His (God's) ships and seas? Meaning: Mowlana ponders whether to engage with the concerns of philosophers or with the divine knowledge and graces that are like ships and boundless seas of salvation.

This verse marks a decisive turn where Mowlana consciously steers his discourse away from philosophical polemics and rational argumentation. I have often said that Mowlana is a philosopher-poet, but not in the conventional sense of engaging in dry logical debates and abstract concepts; rather, he is a philosopher who seeks wisdom in the heart and soul.

Here, he explicitly asks himself: Should I speak of the mofallasaf (philosopher)? The term mofallasaf must be understood precisely. In Mowlana's language, it carries a derogatory connotation; he refers to philosophers whose preoccupations, perhaps, distance them from truths. He contrasts the sowdā (preoccupation) of the philosopher, often bent on rational proof and refutation, with "His (God's) ships and seas." These "ships and seas" undoubtedly allude to the boundless expanse of divine knowledge, the manifestations of Truth, and God's infinite grace, which can only be attained by diving into the ocean of love and intuition. This reference, as Mowlana himself states later in this section of the Masnavi, is "counsel for the heart," not rational proofs.

Immediately after posing this question, Mowlana rushes to answer it, declaring: "Rather, of His ships." This choice illuminates the entire orientation of the Masnavi. He prioritizes the path of intuitive, divine knowledge over the path of rational argument and contention. God's ships are not merely metaphors for His grace and mercy; in Mowlana's Masnavi, these ships also serve as means of salvation. He declares: "Recognize every saint as Noah, the shipman / And the company of these people as a flood." Here, the saints of Truth are the captains of the ark of salvation, and the destructive flood is nothing but the companionship of ordinary folk, of narrow-minded and fruitless individuals.

We must not overlook this profound point: association with people whose thoughts are confined to the surface of the water, lacking the capacity to dive into the ocean's depths, can, like a storm, shatter the ship of the soul. As Sa'di subtly puts it: "Fear not the demon who mingles not with men / But fear men who are demon-like." These demon-like people are those familiar acquaintances and relatives who, in Mowlana's words, squander one's life in fruitless encounters and meaningless chatter. They are the "unfortunate ones whose harvest is burnt," who do not wish for "anyone else's lamp to be lit." Friendship with such individuals darkens the heart and bewilders the mind. Therefore, Mowlana calls upon himself and his readers to take refuge in the ships of divine mercy and knowledge, whose helmsmen are the divine saints. And, without doubt, one of these ships of salvation is the Masnavi itself.

Key takeaways

• Mowlana steers his path away from dry philosophical and logical disputes, prioritizing intuitive, heart-felt knowledge over rational argumentation.
• The term mofallasaf in Mowlana's lexicon carries a derogatory nuance, referring to philosophers who have strayed from true reality.
• "His (God's) ships and seas" symbolize the boundless expanse of divine knowledge, God's grace, and the path to salvation.
• Divine saints, akin to Noah the shipman, are the salvific guides in the turbulent sea of existence.
• The "flood" in this context signifies the company of common, fruitless, or pessimistic people, which can corrupt one's life and spirit.
• The Masnavi itself is one of Mowlana's ships of salvation, intended to rescue the reader from these floods and guide them to their ultimate destination.