When we read figures like Rumi, Attar, or Saadi, we need to understand that some of their work has two sides. One side reflects the culture and conditions of the time they lived in, just like ours, were shaped by the society influences. The other side is spiritual, which comes from the heart, from a place that is not influenced by culture or their individual conditioning.

People often take the writing of these poets or saints and judge them by today’s standards, then dismiss part of the message. This is because they approach these writings with the mind rather than the heart. Criticism is easy, especially for those who lack an interest in spirituality. They pick out what they disagree with and ignore the deeper intention.

This also happens with the life of spiritual people. The critics judge them from their own perception, which is based on their own conditioning and culture. This leads to arrogance and blinds them to see the truth of the message. When you read spiritual writings, one needs to have a spiritual experience to distinguish the voice of the heart.