The Metaphor of the Phantom's Mother

In Book Six, Section 140 of the Masnavi, Jalal al-Din al-Rumi presents a dialogue between a mother and her child regarding a scary night phantom (khayal). The mother instructs her child to be courageous and attack the phantom, as it is merely an illusion that will flee when confronted. However, the child raises a philosophical objection: what if the phantom also has a 'mother' who has instructed it to stand firm and attack?

Theological and Psychological Implications

Rumi uses this playful objection to illustrate a profound Sufi doctrine of divine unity (Tawhid) regarding human psychology and spiritual struggle:

1. The Common Origin of Evil and Good: The 'mother' of both the demon (div) and the human—the source of both temptation (or fear) and guidance—is the same singular Creator ('دیو و مردم را ملقن آن یکیست').
2. Beyond Ego-Driven Struggle: The seeker cannot overcome illusory fears, anxieties, or temptations through p...