Concept

Daquqi's Quest for the Hidden Saints in the Masnavi

In Book 3 of Jalaluddin Rumi's Masnavi, the introduction to the tale of Daquqi explores the necessity of seeking out the hidden saints (the elect) and the concept of noble spiritual greed. Daquqi is depicted as a man of unparalleled piety and devotion who nevertheless travels ceaselessly in search of God's 'special servants.' When the Divine Presence questions why he seeks human companionship when he already enjoys intimacy with God, Daquqi explains that his unquenchable desire—likened to a dropsical patient's thirst—is an extension of his divine love. Rumi uses this dialogue to draw a sharp contrast between worldly greed, which he associates with base lust and spiritual regression, and spiritual greed, which drives the seeker toward perfection. Daquqi justifies his quest by invoking the narrative of Moses traveling to find Khidr, illustrating Rumi's core principle that a seeker must never become complacent with their current spiritual rank.

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Updated 2026-06-13

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