FORM and MEANING

[kasamali]

Form and Meaning:

Rumi expresses nothing but pity for those who look at the world and themselves and do not understand that what they are seeing is a veil over reality. The world is a dream, a prison, a trap, foam thrown from the ocean. But it is not what it appears to be. If every thing appears to us were just as it appears, the prophet, who was endowed with such penetrating vision, both illumanated and illuminating, would never have cried out," Oh Lord, show us things as they are!" (Fihi Ma Fihi 5/18).

And the prophet was successful in his quest. He was shown reality of the Noor in his Mairaz.

Rumi draws a fundamental distinction between "form" and " meaning". Form is a thing's outward appearance, while meaning is its inward and unseen reality. Ultimately, meaning is that thing as it is known to God Himself. And since God is beyond any sort of multiplicity, in the last analysis, the meaning of all things is God.

"Form is a shadow, meaning the Sun." ( Mathnavi VI 4747)

In comparision to meaning, form is nothing.

In the same way outer appearance of the Imam of the Time and his outer activities are just like form. His inner reality is some thing else.

" Try to understand our status, our reality. Imam's reality is Noor" ( ISMS)

KasamAli