In Book Four, Section 128 of the Masnavi, Rumi warns against the dangers of claiming spiritual perfection before one has truly mastered the path. He emphasizes that a seeker must remain in humble submission under the guidance of a spiritual master (sheikh). Prematurely asserting independence or giving one's own opinions (putting oneself forward) stunts spiritual growth and can lead to spiritual deformation, just as an apprentice who lacks patience cannot become a master craftsman.