The Essence of Existence and the Quest for Truth: Lessons in Wisdom from Mevlânâ’s Fîhi Mâ-Fîh
From the conversations compiled by Mevlânâ Celâleddîn-i Rûmî, Fîhi Mâ-Fîh is a fundamental guide on humanity’s journey of self-discovery, leading from form to meaning, from multiplicity to unity. The work addresses the mysteries of existence through metaphors and profound philosophical insights, reminding us of the true purpose beyond worldly pursuits.
From Form to Meaning: Beyond Word and Shape
According to Mevlânâ, words are but a shadow or fragment of truth; the real force that draws people together is “the bond of souls.” Even acts of worship like prayer possess both a form and a “soul”; the soul of prayer is transcendence and immersion in God, for everything with a beginning and an end is merely a form. In this context, while form (appearance) is part of meaning, what truly gives it value is love and need.
Humanity’s Sole Duty and Self-Knowledge
A striking emphasis in the work is that humanity comes to this world solely to accomplish one task. Even if a person forgets this fundamental duty and undertakes hundreds of other tasks, they are considered to have accomplished nothing. Mevlânâ expresses the value of a human being as follows: “In terms of worth, you are more than both worlds; yet I cannot express your worth because you do not know it yourself.” Therefore, it is essential for one to purify their capacity for ‘discernment’ from biases and to know the truth of their own existence; for scholars who do not know themselves render everything halal or haram while lacking understanding of their own nature.
The Nature of Knowledge and Scholars
Mevlânâ classifies scholars (‘ālim) based on their relationships with dignitaries. According to him, the worst scholar is one who seeks favor from dignitaries and strives for status with them; whereas the true scholar is like a “sun” from whom knowledge radiates, and from whom dignitaries draw light. True knowledge is like a diver finding a pearl at the bottom of the sea; measuring only the depth of the seawater (theoretical knowledge) does not suffice to reach the pearl.