This stonepaste bottle from 1630, Isfahan has a moulded decoration of a lion and trainer is in Agha Khan Museum, Toronto.
As seen in a painting in the Met Museum (image 2) this metaphorical theme is popular to convey a Sufi message.
The nafs ( base self) controlled by the human
and also to portray a symbolic equivalence between ‘qalandar’ (questor) & ‘haidar’ (lion).
The initiatory step towards becoming a better person is controlling your nafs. During Ramzan, the emphasis is on controlling nafs which represents our base desires
In Sufi thought, the nafs, the ego or lower self , is often likened to a wild, untamed beast. Left unchecked, it devours reason, compassion, and humility.
The lion is a fitting metaphor: powerful, fierce, and dangerous when ruled by hunger or pride. But when tamed, that same power becomes a source of protection, dignity, and strength.
The path of the seeker is not to kill the lion, but to master it – to turn its strength toward service of the Divine.
As the Qur’an reminds us: “Indeed, the successful one is he who purifies his nafs.” (91:9)
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