The Forty Rules of Love — Interpretation of the Third Rule of Love

Rule Number 3 — Every reader understands the Holy Qur’an according to the depth of his own awareness. There are four levels of insight. The first is the outer meaning, and most people remain satisfied at this stage. The second is the Batin, the inner meaning. The third is the inner of the inner. The fourth level is so deep that it cannot be put into words and therefore remains beyond description.

– Shams of Tabriz, to the Judge of the City of Baghdad

Context

This rule arises during a dialogue between Shams of Tabriz and the Judge of the City of Baghdad. The Judge favors a rigid and literal interpretation of Sharia, whereas Shams inclines toward a more spiritual and expansive understanding. During this exchange, Shams introduces the Third Rule of Love.

Interpretation Within the Story

Shams relates the interpretation of the Holy Qur’an to the evolutionary stage of the individual.

If a person can understand only the literal words, he remains at the most basic level of awareness. According to Shams, the majority of people stay confined to this stage.

A smaller group is able to perceive meanings hidden beneath the surface. They can read between the lines and therefore function at a higher level of understanding.

An even smaller number can grasp the deeper spiritual essence of the text and guide others from that depth. Their insight is subtler and more refined.

The fourth and highest level encompasses all layers of meaning.

Yet when someone reaches this stage and attempts to explain it, he finds it almost impossible to express. Even with command over language, the experience cannot be fully communicated because others may not share the same depth of awareness. They remain at earlier stages of comprehension.

I hope this clarification makes the rule easier to understand.

Deeper Interpretation Beyond the Storyline

Let us now reflect more deeply on this rule.

In recent years, I have written extensively about the three Gunas of Nature: Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva.

a. Tamas represents the level of the body.

b. Rajas represents the level of the mind.

c. Sattva represents the level of the soul.

Beyond these three is the fourth state, known as Nirguna, where all the above three Gunas come into perfect balance and equilibrium.

This structure can also be applied to interpretation and understanding.

1. If someone grasps only the literal meaning of scripture, he operates at the Tamas level. He may be knowledgeable in words but remains limited to the surface.

2. If someone perceives some of the hidden meanings, he functions at the Rajas level. He is actively walking the spiritual path.

3. If someone can access deeper and subtler meanings, he stands at the Sattva level. He reflects saintliness.

4. As discussed, if someone transcends all three Gunas and attains the state of Nirguna, he moves beyond all qualities. Such a being may be described as a Prophet, an Awakened One, or a Messenger.

At this stage, the human mind tends to categorize everything as higher or lower, better or worse. However, the true teaching of this rule points elsewhere.

Each individual stands at a unique stage in the journey of evolution and understands life according to that stage. Rather than asserting superiority, we should nurture compassion for those who are just beginning and encourage their growth.

In my understanding, the only real error on the spiritual path is to stop and believe the journey has ended. This path has no final destination.

Our role is first to walk toward the light and eventually to become light for others.

If we observe carefully, we may realize that this same principle applies to how we perceive people, situations, and events. Whenever we express an opinion about anything or anyone, we are in fact revealing something about ourselves. In doing so, we allow others to see the Self reflected through us.

Gratitude!!