Discursos Rumi

8/13/2019 Discursos Rumi

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D I S C O U R S E SOF RUMI(ORFIHI MA FIHI)BASED ON THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION BY

A. J. ARBERRY

J

Reprinted with peri!!i"n "# the $"p%ri&ht h"'derOMHALOSESISAe!* I"w+

iii

Oph+'"!,ep!i! +$,n"w'ed&e! the ,ind peri!!i"n

&r+nted -% Litt'e n"wn -'i$+ti"n!

(L-'i$tn/+"'.$") #"r !e "# their "ri&in+'

AS0II te1t #"r $"p"!iti"n "# thi! DF 2er!i"n "#

Di!$"r!e! "# Ri. Thi! te1t i! n"t in the p-'i$

d"+in. 'e+!e n"te3 thi! DF 2er!i"n i! $"p%ri&ht4 5666 Oph+'"!,ep!i!. 0"er$i+' repr"d$ti"n

"r di!tri-ti"n "# thi! #i'e i! !tri$t'% pr"hi-ited.

F"r +dditi"n+' in#"r+ti"n* p'e+!e $"nt+$t !

+t in#"/"ph+'"!,ep!i!.-i7'+nd.$".

Reprinted -e'"w i! the d"$ent+ti"n pr"2ided

-% Litt'e n"wn -'i$+ti"n! #"r !e "# their

"ri&in+' AS0II ,e%!tr",e!3

A'' "# the writin&! "n the we- p+&e! "# Litt'en"wn -'i$+ti"n! +re #ree #"r %"r per!+'.

There +re n" $h+r&e! "r #ee! "# +n% ,ind. Y" +re

+'!" #ree t" $"p% +n% "# the writin&! #"r %"r "wn

per!"n+' !e* "r #"r !e in +n% w+% th+t d"e! n"t

&ener+te + pr"#it. 8e "n'% +!,* when %" wi!h t"

prefaceiv

$"p%* p"!t "r retr+n!it +n% "# the!e writin&!*th+t %" re$"&ni7e the $"p%ri&ht! #"r the!e p-'i$+ti"n!

-e'"n& t" the +th"r +nd th+t %" in$'de

the !t+teent3 Reprinted with peri!!i"n "# the

$"p%ri&ht h"'der.

The p"etr% "# J+'+' +'9Din Ri h+! re$ent'%

-e$"e p"p'+r +nd we'' ,n"wn* th+n,! t" new

tr+n!'+ti"n! -% 0"'e+n B+r,!* R"-ert B'% +nd

"ther!. An%"ne wh" i! '"",in& t" e1perien$e

Ri:! in$+nde!$ent '"2e need &" n" #rther th+nhi! 2"'e! "# 2er!e* -t i# %" w+nt t" !ee the

!-t'etie! "# hi! wi!d" +nd #ind in!i&ht! int" the

re+' e+nin& "# hi! p"etr%* then Ri:!

Di!$"r!e! h"'d the ,e%.Unti' thi! p-'i$+ti"n* +! #+r +! the p-'i!her!

,n"w* +'' pre2i"! tr+n!'+ti"n! "# Ri:!

Di!$"r!e! int" En&'i!h h+2e -een +de -% !$h"'+r!*

written #r" the w"r'd "# +$+dei+. 8hi'e

their -"",! were p-'i!hed with $+re t" pre!er2e

the +$$r+$% "# Ri:! 'iter+r% e+nin&* thi! p-'i$+ti"n+2+i'+-'e here !tri2e! t" re!t"re the !-t'e

ip+$t! "# Ri:! w"rd! th+t $+rr% hi! re+' e!!+&e.

v

Ri i! n"t ;!t te''in& !t"rie! th+t te+$h* "r


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re'+tin& hi! phi'"!"phi$+' +nd re'i&i"! nder!t+ndin&*

+! the pre2i"! tr+n!'+ti"n! h+2e

#"$!ed "n* -t hi! w"rd! h+2e -een $r+#ted t"tr+n!it !"ethin& "# &re+t !-!t+n$e. A! the

S#i! h+2e "#ten !+id* thi! +tter $+nn"t -e !tdied

#r" the "t!ide* it $+n "n'% -e di!$"2ered

#r" within. N" d"-t !$h !t+teent! wi'' r+i!e

di!+&reeent!* -t we need "n'% re#er t" Ri:!

"wn di!$"r!e! t" !ee hi! "wn "pini"n! "n thi!2er% !-;e$t. O2er +nd "2er Ri $riti$i7e! th"!e

wh" !td% +t 'en&th the "tw+rd !en!e "# thin&!*-t i!! the inner Trth.

It i! 'i,e'% th+t the Di!$"r!e! "# Ri wi''

"n'% +ppe+' t" th"!e wh" +re wi''in& t" +,e

!"e e##"rt t" !td% hi! w"rd!. Bt i# the re+der i!

wi''in& t" re+d $+re#''%* he "r !he !h"'d -e +-'e

t" #ind + &re+ter &'ip!e "# Ri:! re'+ti"n!hip

with 'i#e +nd hi! !pirit+''% int"1i$+tin& inti+$%

with the +th "# L"2e.

0"ent!* !&&e!ti"n! +nd 9=5>?)

$"ni$+ted !"ethin& thr"&h hi! writin&

th+t h+! +ttr+$ted !pirit+' !ee,er! #r" +'"!t

e2er% re'i&i"n in the w"r'd* #"r hndred! "# %e+r!.

E2en in hi! d+%* Ri w+! !"&ht "t -% er$h+nt!

+nd ,in&!* de2"t w"r!hipper! +nd re-e''i"!

!ee,er!* #+"! !$h"'+r! +nd $""n pe+!+nt!*

en +nd w"en. At hi! #ner+'* M!'i!*

0hri!ti+n!* Jew!* Ar+-!* er!i+n!* Tr,! +nd

R"+n! h"n"red hi. Li!ten t" hi! $+'' #"r !ee,er!"# trth3

0"e* $"e* wh"e2er %" +re.

8+nderer* w"r!hipper* '"2er "# 'e+2in&.

It d"e!n:t +tter.

Or! i! n"t + $+r+2+n "# de!p+ir.

0"e* e2en i# %" h+2e -r",en %"r 2"w

+ hndred tie!.0"e* %et +&+in* $"e* $"e.

introductionvii

Ri:! '"2e +nd h"n"r #"r +'' re'i&i"! tr+diti"n!

w+! n"t +'w+%! p"p'+r in hi! d+%* +nd "#ten

pr"2",ed $riti$i! #r" the "re d"&+ti$. A

!t"r% i! t"'d th+t "ne !$h p-'i$ $h+''en&e $+e

#r" + M!'i di&nit+r%* @"n+2i* wh" $"n#r"nted

Ri -e#"re +n +dien$e. Y" $'+i t" -e +t"ne with >5 re'i&i"! !e$t!* !+id @"n+2i* -t

the Jew! $+nn"t +&ree with the 0hri!ti+n!* +nd the

0hri!ti+n! $+nn"t +&ree with M!'i!. I# the%

$+nn"t +&ree with e+$h "ther* h"w $"'d %"

+&ree with the +''C T" thi! Ri +n!wered*

Ye!* %" +re ri&ht* I +&ree with %" t"".


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A'th"&h ,in&! were hi! #"''"wer!* Ri:! $riti$!

$"'d ne2er nder!t+nd wh% Ri:! &re+te!t

'"2e +nd dedi$+ti"n went t" wh+t the% $+''ed*the t+i'"r!* the $'"th9!e''er!* +nd the pett% !h"p,eeper!

9 n$"th +nd n$'tred r##i+n!. Yet

e2en +"n&!t the!e* hi! de+re!t $"p+ni"n!*

Ri +''"wed n" 2+nit%. The !t"r% i! t"'d th+t "ne

d+%* whi'e Ri w+! in deep $"ntep'+ti"n* !rr"nded

-% hi! di!$ip'e!* + drn,+rd w+',ed in!h"tin& +nd !t-'in&. The +n !t+&&ered

t"w+rd Ri* +nd then #e'' "n hi. T" Ri:! #"''"wer!!$h + di!&r+$e "# their te+$her w+! int"'viii

er+-'e* +nd the% r"!e +! "ne t" r!h the i&n"r+nt

#""'. Ri !t"pped the with hi! r+i!ed h+nd*

!+%in&* I th"&ht thi! intrder w+! the "ne wh"

w+! int"1i$+ted* -t n"w I !ee it i! n"t he* -t %

"wn !tdent! wh" +re drn,

There +re th"!+nd! wh" -e'ie2e th+t Ri:!

pre!en$e (-+r+,+) !ti'' e1i!t! t"d+%* +nd !ti''

te+$he!. I# thi! i! tre* it i! $ert+in'% '+r&e'% de t"

the re+r,+-'e 2it+'it% th+t $+n -e #"nd in hi!

writin&! +nd p"etr%* +nd + re'e2+n$% the% $"nt+inth+t re+$he! t" "r inner $"re. Ri:! p"etr% h+!

$+ptred the he+rt! "# !pirit+' !ee,er! +r"nd the

w"r'd -e$+!e "# it! depth +nd -e+t%. Hi! 2er!e!

!,et$h "t the wh"'e p+n"r++ "# 'i#e* #r"

h+n !"rr"w +nd de2"ti"n* t" the ni2er!+'

-re+dth "# G"d:! hidden p'+n. Hi! p"etr% !ee!

#+th"'e!! +nd end'e!!.Ri h+! +'!" 'e#t t" ! +n"ther +n!$ript

th+t i! n"t !" we'' ,n"wn 9 the $"''e$ti"n "# di!$"r!e!

&i2en +t the &+therin&! with hi! !tdent!.

It I! 8h+t It I! (Fihi + Fihi) i! + re$"rd "# the!e

!pirit+' di!$!!i"n! th+t "#ten #"''"wed !i$

+nd d+n$e* the re$itin& "# !+$red p"e! +ndphr+!e!* +nd the n"w #+"! 8hir'in& Der2i!h

ixe1er$i!e th+t Ri "ri&in+ted t" en'i2en +nd -rin&

!pirit+' "penin& t" the r+ther !"-er pe"p'e "#

"n%+* Tr,e%* in hi! d+%.

Thi! pre!ent -"", i! edited +nd rewritten #r"

A. J. Ar-err%:! "ri&in+' En&'i!h tr+n!'+ti"n* p-'i!hed

in == +! Di!$"r!e! "# Ri. Ar-err%

hi!e'# +ditted th+t hi! !$h"'+!ti$* 'iter+'* w"r,

i! n"t +n e+!% -"", t" re+d+nd the "ri&in+' i!

-% n" e+n! e+!% +'w+%! t" nder!t+nd.

A$$"rdin& t" "re re$ent !tdie! "# the "ri&in+'+n!$ript (0hitti$, +nd Sh+h* #"r e1+p'e*)

Ar-err%:! tr+n!'+ti"n +'!" h+! !"e te$hni$+'

err"r!* +nd -etter nder!t+ndin&! "# Ri:! !-t'e

!pirit+' te+$hin&! h+2e $"e t" 'i&ht. I h"pe thi!

editi"n wi'' he'p i''in+te +nd $'+ri#% !$h p+!!+&e!*

+nd t" -i'd "n r"#e!!"r Ar-err%:! $"ntri-ti"n.

I# %" were t" $"p+re the "ri&in+' +n!$ript

"# Ri:! di!$"r!e! with thi! pre!ent-"",* the #ir!t $h+n&e %" i&ht n"ti$e w"'d -e

the dr"ppin& "# phr+!e! 'i,e* +% A''+h -'e!!

hi +nd &i2e hi pe+$e* +#ter e2er% re#eren$e t"


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+ !+int "r pr"phet* whi$h w+! the pr"per +nd

re!pe$t#' w+% "# !pe+,in& in Ri:! d+%* +nd

x!ti'' i! t"d+% in !"e p+rt! "# the w"r'd. A'!"*

Ri +,e! ner+-'e re#eren$e! t" the "r+n

+nd


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+ tr+diti"n+'* "rth"d"1 "pini"n. I w"'d $+ti"n

+-"t e2er ;pin& t" thi! $"n$'!i"n with Ri*

!in$e %" wi'' "re 'i,e'% #ind th+t he h+! $+&ht%" +,in& the 2er% !+e err"r.

F"r e1+p'e* in di!$"r!e Twe'2e* Ri +!,!

the


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their tie* +n%"ne wh" i! n"t "2ed -% !"ethin&

&re+ter.

I# %" !ee wh+t i! h+ppenin& here* %" wi'' !eeth+t Ri i! !in& "r "wn ne1+ined +2er!i"n!

+nd di!'i,e! t" te+$h !. S"e "# Ri:! "!t

pr"#"nd p"etr% i! i&n"red -e$+!e "# !$h

th"rn!* pr"ptin& hi t" !+%* in di!$"r!e Thirt%9

Fi2e3 H"w w"nder#''% &r+$i"! G"d i! It !et! +

!e+' "n th"!e wh" 'i!ten +nd d" n"t nder!t+nd*+r&e +nd %et 'e+rn n"thin&. G"d i! &r+$i"!. It!

wr+th i! &r+$i"!* +nd e2en It! '"$, i! &r+$i"!.xv

Bt It! '"$, i! n"thin& ne1t t" It! n'"$,in&* #"r

the &r+$e "# th+t i! inde!$ri-+-'e. I# I !h+tter int"

pie$e!* it i! thr"&h the in#inite &r+$e "# G"d:!

n'"$,in&.

Thi! r+i!e! +n intere!tin& "-!er2+ti"n. Ri

w+! ne2er &ener+' in hi! di!$!!i"n!* he +'w+%!

!p",e t" !pe$i#i$ !it+ti"n!. He +ddre!!ed the p+rti$'+r

-e'ie#! +nd $"n#'i$t! "# th"!e +r"nd hi*

+nd he w+! + witne!! +nd !p",e!+n #"r The 8+%

+! it w+! +ni#e!tin& in hi! d+%. And !ti'' hi!w"rd! $+n te+$h ! n"w.

I# + tr+2e'er tripped "2er + r"$, in their p+th

>66 %e+r! +&"* +nd #r" thi! e2ent +'tered the

$"r!e "# their 'i#e* we i&ht $"n$'de the r"$,

w+! "n'% in$ident+'. Bt i# th+t !+e r"$, trip!

th"!+nd!* thr"&h the $entrie!* e+$h w+',in&

+w+% with + di##erent e!!+&e +nd + di##erent 'e!!"n*then $+n we $+'' thi! in$ident+'C 8hen #""'i!h

pe"p'e trip* the% &et p +nd w+', +w+% +! i#

n"thin& h+ppened. The% 'e+rn n"thin&. A wi!e

per!"n wi'' #ind + &re+ter e+nin& #"r their #+''.

Bt + r"$, th+t trip! tr+2e'er! in e2er% +&e* e+$h

tie ip+rtin& + di##erent e+nin&* th+t i! n"t;!t + r"$,. Th+t i! G"d.

xviM+n% "# the ter! Ri !e! h+2e + 2er% di##erent

e+nin& in their I!'+i$ $"nte1t th+n the%

d" in their 0hri!ti+n !en!e. F"r e1+p'e* the w"rd

#+ith +"n&!t +n% S#i! i! $h $'"!er t"

wh+t we i&ht $+'' ,n"win&ne!!. Thi! i! n"t

the !+e +! -e'ie#* whi$h re#er! t" h"w + per!"n

$h""!e! t" !ee thin&!. The @+,er! h+d +

ter ,n"wn +! $"n2in$eent th+t e1pre!!e!

!"e "# thi!* -t !ti'' -etr+%! t"" $h "# +n:!

$h"i$e in the +tter. A! Ri !e! the w"rd#+ith* he i! t+',in& "re +-"t the e##e$t "# h+2in&

e1perien$ed !"ethin& th+t $h+n&e! h"w we

!ee 'i#e* th+n he i! t+',in& +-"t h+2in& -een !"'d

"n !"e d"$trine.

Li,ewi!e* when Ri re#er! t" I!'+* he i!

t+',in& +-"t The 8+%. He i! n"t t+',in& +-"t

the pre$"n$ei2ed n"ti"n! th+t pe"p'e h+2e +-"t

I!'+ t"d+%* "r e2en in hi! d+%* -t the !pirit+'p+th it!e'# +nd the re'i&i"! tr+diti"n. It i! n"t

+'w+%! e+!% t" nder!t+nd thi! +! Ri e+nt it*

;!t +! Ri:! !e "# M"h+ed +! the r"phet


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+nd "i$e "# G"d i! e+!i'% interpreted +! tr+diti"n+'

-e'ie#* whi$h i! "n'% the "tw+rd $'"+, "#

wh+t Ri i! re+''% !+%in&. It i! ;!t thi! !"rt "#xvii

-'indne!! th+t Ri i! !pe+,in& t" when he !+%!*

in di!$"r!e Se2ent%3 8here2er en "r w"en

pt + -i& '"$,* th+t i! + !i&n "# !"ethin& pre$i"!

+nd 2+'+-'e. J!t 'i,e the !n+,e th+t &+rd! +

tre+!re* d" n"t re&+rd wh+t repe'! %"* -t '"",in!te+d +t the pre$i"!ne!! "# the tre+!re.

The tit'e "# Ri:! di!$"r!e!* Fihi + Fihi*w+! tr+n!'+ted -% Ar-err% t" In It 8h+t I! In It*

-t I -e'ie2e It I! 8h+t It I! $"e! $'"!er t"

Ri:! intent. In +n% $+!e* thi! tit'e i! #i''ed with

'tip'e e+nin&!* ;!t +! +'' "# Ri:! w"r,!

+re. Thi! +% -e + #"rei&n ide+* th+t !"e"ne

$"'d -e $"ni$+tin& +n% thin&!* +t +n%

'e2e'!* +t the !+e tie* -t 'et ! '"", $'"!e'% +t

thi! tit'e #"r + "ent.

Fir!t* it i! +,in& + 2er% !pe$i#i$* ph%!i$+' re#eren$e.

It* e+nin& thi! +n!$ript* i! the !+e

+! wh+t i! in It* e+nin& Ri:! "!t #+"!w"r,* hi! !i1 2"'e p"e* the M+!n+2i. In "ther

w"rd!* the Fihi + Fihi pr"2ide! e1p'+n+ti"n! +nd

,e%! t" n'"$, the e+nin& "# the M+!n+2i. The

tw" w"r,! were written p+r+''e' t" e+$h "ther*

+nd $"nt+in +n% re#eren$e! +nd !t"rie! th+t +re

$"ntined #r" "ne t" the "ther. Thi! -ein& tre*

xviiiit i!


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%" wi'' ,n"w h"w t" re+d Ri. M+% it +'!"

he'p %" $+t$h re+' #i!h +! we''.

9 D"& M+r+nE9M+i'


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int" r-ie! +nd $+rne'i+n!* $h+n&in& "nt+in!

int" ine! "# $"pper* &"'d* !i'2er +nd ir"n* +,9

4 V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V

in& the e+rth #re!h +nd &reen* -rin&in& #rit t" the

tree!* +nd w+rth t" the -ree7e. Their tr+de i!

&i2in&* the% d" n"t re$ei2e. The Ar+-! h+2e

e1pre!!ed thi! in + pr"2er-3 8e h+2e 'e+rned in

"rder t" &i2e* we h+2e n"t 'e+rned in "rder t"

t+,e. And !" in +'' w+%! the% +re the 2i!ited* +nd

the prin$e i! the 2i!it"r.The th"&ht $"e! t" e +t thi! p"int t" $"ent

"n + 2er!e "# the "r+n* +'th"&h it i! n"t

re'+ted t" the pre!ent di!$"r!e. H"we2er* thi!

ide+ $"e! t" e n"w* +nd I w+nt t" e1pre!! it !"

th+t it $+n &" "n re$"rd.O Prophet, say to the prisoners in your hands.

If God knos of any !ood in your hearts,

He i"" !ive you #ore than He has taken,

And He i"" for!ive you.

$ure"y God is A""%for!ivin!, A""%&o#passionate.'

Thi! 2er!e w+! re2e+'ed when M"h+ed h+d

de#e+ted the n-e'ie2er!* !'+%in&* p'nderin& +ndt+,in& pri!"ner!* wh" he tied h+nd +nd #""t.

A"n&!t the pri!"ner! w+! hi! n$'e* A--+!. The

$h+ined pe"p'e wept +nd w+i'ed +'' ni&ht in their

he'p'e!! hi'i+ti"n. The% h+d &i2en p +'' h"pe

"# their 'i2e!* e1pe$tin& the !w"rd +nd !'+&hter.

M"h+ed* !eein& thi!* '+&hed.L"", the pri!"ner! e1$'+ied. He !h"w!

the tr+it! "# + per!"n +#ter +''. Thi! $'+i th+t he

i! !perh+n i! n"t tre. There he !t+nd! '"",in&

+t ! pri!"ner! in the!e $h+in!* en;"%in& it.

J!t 'i,e e2er%"ne r'ed -% their p+!!i"n!when

the% &+in 2i$t"r% "2er their eneie! +nd !ee their

"pp"nent! 2+n


10/179

+'' th+t %" p'+nned trned "t the "pp"!ite. E2en

n"w in %"r #e+r* %" !ti'' h"'d "nt" %"r -e'ie#!

+nd d" n"t !ee the One Re+'it% "2er %". R+therth+n #+$in& th+t "wer* %" !ee % p"wer*

-e$+!e it i! e+!ier #"r %" t" !ee %"r!e'2e! $"n


11/179

M"h+ed. Thi! tie I h+2e he+rd the !n+ppin&

"# the &ird'e "# d"-t* th+t %" h+d within

%". I h+2e +n e+r hidden within % in"!t S"'*+nd with th+t hidden e+r I $+n he+r the !n+ppin&

"# d"-t within +n%"ne. N"w it i! tre #"r + #+$t

th+t %" -e'ie2e.

I h+2e t"'d thi! !t"r% t" the Air #"r thi! re+!"n3

In the -e&innin& %" $+e #"rw+rd +! +

$h+pi"n "# M!'id". I r+n!" %!e'#*%" !+id. I !+$ri#i$e % "wn de!ire!* $"n!ider+ti"n!

+nd ;d&eent !" th+t I!'+ wi'' re+in!e$re +nd !tr"n&. Bt -e$+!e %" pt %"r

tr!t in %"r "wn p'+n!* '""!in& !i&ht "# G"d* +nd

#"r&ettin& th+t +'' thin&! pr"$eed #r" G"d* +''

%"r intenti"n! h+2e trned "t the "pp"!ite.

H+2in& !tr$, + -+r&+in with the T+rt+r!* %" +re

nintenti"n+''% &i2in& the +!!i!t+n$e t" de!tr"%

the S%ri+n! +nd the E&%pti+n!* whi$h in the end

+% -rin& rin t" the re+' "# I!'+. S" G"d h+!

trned thi! p'+n %" +de #"r the !r2i2+' "#

I!'+* int" it! "wn de!tr$ti"n.

Trn %"r #+$e t" G"d* #"r thin&! +re in + d+n&er"!$"nditi"n. Yet* e2en in %"r pre!ent !t+te*

% #riend* d" n"t &i2e p h"pe* -t '"", t" G"d

+nd &i2e %"r!e'# p t" It! wi''. Y" th"&ht %"r

"wn !tren&th "# !pirit pr"$eeded #r" %"r!e'#*

;!t +! A--+! +nd the pri!"ner! did* th! %"

h+2e #+''en int" we+,ne!!. Bt d" n"t &i2e p

h"pe* -e$+!e He* wh" $+n pr"d$e we+,ne!!#r" !tren&th* $+n -rin& #"rth +n e2en &re+ter

!tren&th #r" thi! we+,ne!!. J!t +! M"h+ed

re;"i$ed drin& the pri!"ner!: &rie#* !" t"" I #ind

;"% in %"r pre!ent e-+rr+!!ent* -e$+!e #r"

thi! we+,ne!! +nd !##erin& $+n $"e !"ethin&

&re+ter th+n h+! -een '"!t. There#"re* d" n"t &i2ep h"pe* #"r*Of God's &o#fort no one despairs,

+x&ept the une"ievers.-


FIHI MA FIHI V ==

M% prp"!e in !pe+,in& thi! w+% t" the Air

w+! !" th+t he $"'d !ee the +tter $"rre$t'%* +nd

+$$ept the wi'' "# G"d h-'%. He h+! #+''en "t"# +n e1$eedin&'% hi&h !t+te int" + '"w !t+te* %et

in thi! w+% he +% &r"w. Li#e $+n !h"w the "!t

w"nder#' thin&!* -t -ehind +'' "# the 'ie! +

tr+p !h"'d we #"r&et the !"r$e "# thi! w"nder.

G"d h+! de2i!ed thi! p'+n !" th+t we wi'' 'e+rn

n"t t" $'+i* "t "# +rr"&+n$e +nd 2+nit%* the!eide+! +nd p'+n! +! "r "wn.

I# e2er%thin& were in trth +! it +ppe+r! t" -e*M"h+ed* end"wed +! he w+! with + 2i!i"n !"

penetr+tin&* !" i''in+ted* w"'d ne2er h+2e

$ried**/ord, sho #e thin!s as they are.

0ou sho a thin! as fair, and in rea"ity it is u!"y.

0ou sho a thin! as u!"y, and in truth it is eautifu".

$ho us everythin! ust as it is,

$o that e i"" not fa"" into the snare.-

N"w* %"r ;d&eent* h"we2er &""d +nd


12/179

'in"! it +% -e* i! $ert+in'% n"t -etter th+n

the r"phet:! ;d&eent. S" d" n"t pt %"r tr!t

in e2er% ide+ +nd e2er% n"ti"n* -t "n'% in G"d+nd It! wi!d".

S"e"ne !+id3 Or M+!ter d"e! n"t tter +

w"rd.

Ri +n!wered3 8e''* it w+! the th"&ht "# e

th+t -r"&ht %" t" % pre!en$e. Thi! th"&ht "#

e did n"t !pe+, with %" !+%in&* H"w +rethin&! with %"C The th"&ht with"t w"rd!

drew %" here. I# the re+'it% "# e dr+w! %"with"t w"rd! +nd tr+n!p"rt! %" t" +n"ther

p'+$e* wh+t i! !" w"nder#' with w"rd!C 8"rd!

+re the !h+d"w "# re+'it%* + ere -r+n$h "# re+'it%.

Sin$e the !h+d"w dr+w!* h"w $h "re the

re+'it%

8"rd! +re + prete1t. It i! the inner -"nd th+t

dr+w! "ne per!"n t" +n"ther* n"t w"rd!. I# !"e"ne

!h"'d !ee + hndred th"!+nd ir+$'e! +nd

di2ine -'e!!in&!* !ti''* with"t +n inner $"nne$ti"n

t" th+t !+int "r pr"phet wh" w+! the !"r$e "#

th"!e ir+$'e!* +'' the!e phen"en+ w"'d $"et" n"thin&. It i! thi! inw+rd e'eent th+t dr+w!

+nd "2e! !. I# there were n" e'eent "# +-er

discourse2in !tr+w* the !tr+w w"'d ne2er -e +ttr+$ted t" the

+-er Ri i! re#errin& t" !t+ti$ e'e$tri$it% here.

The% w"'d n"t $'in& t" e+$h "ther* e2en i# %"

r--ed the +-er with #r. Thi! e1$h+n&e

-etween the i! hidden* n"t + 2i!i-'e thin&.

It i! the th"&ht th+t -rin&! !. The th"&ht "#

+ &+rden -rin&! ! t" the &+rden. The th"&ht "#+ !h"p -rin&! ! t" the !h"p. H"we2er* within

the!e th"&ht! i! + !e$ret de$epti"n. H+2e %"

ne2er &"ne t" + $ert+in p'+$e thin,in& it w"'d -e

&""d* "n'% t" #ind di!+pp"intentC The!e

th"&ht! then +re 'i,e + !hr"d* +nd within th+t

!hr"d !"e"ne i! hidden. The d+% re+'it% dr+w!

%" +nd the !hr"d "# th"&ht di!+ppe+r!* there

wi'' -e n" di!+pp"intent. Then %" wi'' !ee re+'it%+! it i!* +nd n"thin& "re.

Up"n th+t d+% when the !e$ret! +re tried.

S"* wh+t re+!"n i! there #"r e t" !pe+,C In

re+'it% th+t whi$h dr+w! i! + !in&'e thin&* -t it

+ppe+r! t" -e +n%. 8e +re p"!!e!!ed -% + hndreddi##erent de!ire!. I w+nt 2eri$e''i* we !+%.

I w+nt r+2i"'i. I w+nt h+'2+h. I w+nt #ritter!. I

w+nt #rit. I w+nt d+te!. 8e n+e the!e "ne -%

"ne* -t the r""t "# the +tter i! + !in&'e thin&3

13the r""t i! hn&er. D"n:t %" !ee h"w* "n$e we

h+2e "r #i'' "# -t "ne thin&* we !+%* N"thin&

e'!e i! ne$e!!+r%C There#"re* it w+! n"t ten "r +

hndred thin&!* -t "ne thin& th+t drew !.*And their nu#er


13/179

e have appointed on"y as a tria".-

The +n% thin&! "# thi! w"r'd +re + tri+'

+pp"inted -% G"d* #"r the% hide the !in&'e re+'it%.

There i! + !+%in& th+t the !+int i! "ne* h+n,ind

i! + hndred* e+nin& the !+int:! wh"'e +ttenti"n

re+in! p"n the "ne trth* whi'e pe"p'e +re !$+ttered

"2er + hndred +ppe+r+n$e!. Bt whi$h

hndredC 8hi$h #i#t%C 8hi$h !i1t%C L"!t in thi!

w"r'd "# irr"red re#'e$ti"n!* the% +re + #+$e'e!!pe"p'e with"t h+nd! +nd #eet* with"t ind +nd

S"'*


14/179

#riend!hip* +nd +$$ept! "ne% #r" the wi''

ine2it+-'% !pe+, in +$$"rd+n$e with their de!ire!.

Th+t per!"n wi'' 'i!ten t" the ,in&!: nd+ne2iew! with the t"!t +ttenti"n* +nd wi'' n"t -e

+-'e t" den% the.

Th+t i! where the d+n&er 'ie!* it 'e+d! t" + #+din&

re!pe$t #"r the tre !"r$e. 8hen %" $'ti2+te

the intere!t "# ,in&!* th+t "ther intere!t whi$h

i! #nd+ent+' t" the !pirit+' 'i#e -e$"e! +!tr+n&er t" %". The "re %" pr"$eed d"wn the

p+th "# ,in&!* the "re th+t dire$ti"n where the

1( V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V =>

Be'"2ed dwe''! -e$"e! '"!t. The "re %" +,e

%"r pe+$e with w"r'd'% pe"p'e* the "re the

Be'"2ed trn! +w+% #r" %". G"in& in their

dire$ti"n render! %" !-;e$t t" their r'e. On$e

%" h+2e trned d"wn their p+th* in the end G"d

&i2e! the p"wer "2er %".

It i! + pit% t" re+$h the "$e+n* +nd t" -e !+ti!#ied

with + 'itt'e pit$her#' #r" the !e+. A#ter +''*

there +re pe+r'! in the !e+* +nd #r" the !e+ $"e+ %ri+d "# pre$i"! thin&!. 8h+t i! the 2+'e in

;!t t+,in& w+terC 8h+t pride $+n inte''i&ent pe"p'e

h+2e in th+tC Thi! w"r'd i! + ere #"+ #'e$,

"# the Tre Se+. Th+t O$e+n i! the !$ien$e "# the

!+int!* +nd within th+t 8+ter i! the e+r' It!e'#.

Thi! w"r'd i! -t #"+ #'' "# #'"+tin& ;et!+.

Yet* thr"&h the trnin& "# the w+2e!* +nd therh%thi$ !r&in& "# the !e+ in $"n!t+nt "ti"n*

thi! #"+ t+,e! "n + $ert+in -e+t%. Bt thi! -e+t%

i! + -"rr"wed thin& $"in& #r" e'!ewhere. It

i! + #+'!e $"in th+t !p+r,'e! t" the e%e.

e"p'e +re the +!tr"'+-e "# G"d* -t it re


15/179

The Air !+id3 Ni&ht +nd d+% % he+rt +nd S"'

+re intent p"n !er2in& G"d* -t -e$+!e "# %

re!p"n!i-i'itie! with M"n&"' +##+ir! I h+2e n"tie #"r !$h !er2i$e.

Ri +n!wered3 Th"!e w"r,! t"" +re w"r,

d"ne #"r G"d* !in$e the% +re the e+n! "# pr"2idin&

pe+$e +nd !e$rit% #"r %"r $"ntr%. Y"

!+$ri#i$e %"r!e'#* %"r p"!!e!!i"n!* %"r tie* !"

the he+rt! "# + #ew wi'' -e 'i#ted t" pe+$e#''%"-e%in& G"d:! wi''. S" thi! t"" i! + &""d w"r,.

G"d h+! in$'ined %" t"w+rd! !$h &""d w"r,*+nd %"r &re+t '"2e #"r wh+t %" d" i! pr""# "#

G"d:! -'e!!in&. H"we2er* i# %"r '"2e "# w"r,

were t" we+,en* thi! w"'d -e + !i&n "# &r+$e

denied* #"r G"d 'e+d! "n'% th"!e wh" +re w"rth%

int" th"!e ri&ht +ttitde! th+t wi'' e+rn !pirit+'

rew+rd!.

T+,e the $+!e "# + h"t -+th. It! he+t $"e!

#r" the #e' th+t i! -rned* !$h +! dr% h+%*

#irew""d* dn& +nd the 'i,e. In the !+e w+%*

G"d !e! wh+t t" "tw+rd +ppe+r+n$e '"",! e2i'

discourse3+nd n+!t%* %et in re+'it% i! the e+n! t" $'e+n'ine!!

+nd prit%. Li,e the -+th* the +n "r w"+n #ired-% the e##"rt! "# w"r, -e$"e! pri#ied +nd +

-ene#it t" +'' pe"p'e.

(At thi! p"int !"e #riend! +rri2ed. Ri

e1$!ed hi!e'# +nd !+id3) I# I d" n"t +ttend t"

%"* +nd d" n"t we'$"e %" "r +!, +#ter %"*

thi! i! re+''% + +r, "# re!pe$t. Re!pe$t i! wh+t i!

+ppr"pri+te #"r the "$$+!i"n. 8hen !"e"ne i! +t

pr+%er* the% !h"'d n"t !t"p t" &reet their #+ther+nd -r"ther. Di!re&+rd "# #riend! whi'e -ein&

en&+&ed in pr+%er i! the hi&he!t re&+rd* +nd the

&re+te!t $"rte!%* !in$e th+t per!"n d"e! n"t -re+,

+w+% #r" +-!"rpti"n with G"d "n +$$"nt "#

de+r "ne!. Thi! !+2e! th"!e '"2ed "ne! #r" -ein&

!-;e$t t" Di2ine repr"+$h. There#"re* tre

re!pe$t i! n"t + !"$i+' p'e+!+ntr%* -t i! $"n$ern

#"r the !pirit+' h"n"r "# "ther!.S"e"ne +!,ed3 I! there +n% w+% ne+rer t"

G"d th+n pr+%erC

Ri +n!wered3 Ye!* -t it i! +'!" pr+%er. It i!

pr+%er with"t the "tw+rd #"r. Thi! "ter

#"r "# pr+%er i! the -"d% "# pr+%er* !in$e it h+! +-e&innin& +nd endin&. E2er%thin& th+t h+! +


FIHI MA FIHI V 5=

-e&innin& +nd endin& i! + -"d%. A'' w"rd! +nd

!"nd! h+2e + -e&innin& +nd +n end* +nd there#"re+re #"r +nd -"d%. Bt the inner !"' "#

pr+%er i! n$"nditi"ned +nd in#inite* +nd h+! neither

-e&innin& n"r end.

N"w* M"h+ed* wh" in2ented the M!'i


16/179

pr+%er* !+id* I h+2e + tie with G"d n"t $"nt+ined

-% +n% pr"phet* n"r 'iited -% +n% +n&e'

ne1t t" G"d. Hen$e we re+'i7e th+t the !"' "#pr+%er i! n"t the "ter #"r +'"ne. R+ther it i! +

$"p'ete +-!"rpti"n* + !t+te with"t r"" #"r

the!e "tw+rd #"r!. G+-rie' hi!e'#* wh" i! pre

re+'it%* $+nn"t -e #"nd therein.

It i! re'+ted th+t "ne d+% #riend! #"nd %

#+ther in + !t+te "# $"p'ete +-!"rpti"n. The h"r"# pr+%er +rri2ed* +nd the!e #riend! $+''ed "t t"

% #+ther* It i! tie #"r pr+%er. M% #+ther didn"t heed their w"rd!* !" the% +r"!e +nd "$$pied

the!e'2e! with the pr+%er. H"we2er* tw" #riend!

!t+%ed with % #+ther +nd did n"t !t+nd p t"

pr+%.

N"w* "ne "# th"!e wh" were pr+%in& w+!

n+ed h2+;+&i. It w+! !h"wn t" hi $'e+r'%* in

hi! inw+rd he+rt* th+t +'' th"!e wh" were +t

pr+%er were !t+ndin& -ehind the r"phet with

their -+$,! trned t" Me$$+* whi'e the tw" wh"

were with % #+ther were #+$in& Me$$+. Sin$e %

#+ther h+d p+!!ed +w+% #r" +n% !en!e "# per!"n+'identit%* hi! !e'# n" '"n&er re+inin&* h+2in&

-een $"n!ed in the Li&ht "# G"d* he h+d

-e$"e the Li&ht "# G"d.

8h"e2er trn! their -+$, "n the Li&ht "# G"d*

+nd #+$e! the w+'' "# their pr+%er9ni$he* h+! !re'%

trned their -+$, "n Me$$+. F"r G"d:! 'i&ht i!

the !"' "# the Me$$+9w+rd dire$ti"n.M"h+ed "n$e re-,ed + #riend* !+%in&* I

$+''ed %". 8h% didn:t %" $"eC The #riend

rep'ied* I w+! "$$pied with pr+%er. The

r"phet !+id* 8e''* w+!n:t I $+''in& %" #"r

G"dC The #riend +n!wered* I + he'p'e!!.

It i! &""d t" #ee' he'p'e!! e2er% "ent* !eein&%"r!e'# he'p'e!! in !$$e!!* ;!t +! in #+i're. F"r

+-"2e %"r $+p+$it% there i! + &re+ter 0+p+$it%*+nd %"r wi'' i! !-;e$t t" th+t &re+ter 8i'' in

e2er% $+!e. Y" +re n"t di2ided int" tw" h+'2e!*

n"w $+p+-'e* n"w he'p'e!!. Y" +re +'w+%! he'p'e!!*

"n'% !"etie! ree-erin&* !"etie! #"r9


FIHI MA FIHI V 5?

&ettin&. 8hen %" ree-er* then the he+rt "#

th+t "ent -e$"e! 2i!i-'e* +nd the w+% "pen!

p -e#"re %". Indeed* wh+t i! "r $"nditi"n* !eein&

th+t 'i"n!* ti&er! +nd $r"$"di'e! +re +'' he'p'e!!

+nd tre-'e -e#"re G"dC E2en the he+2en! +nde+rth +re he'p'e!! +nd !-;e$t t" Hi! de$ree.

G"d i! + i&ht% eper"r. It! Li&ht i! n"t 'i,e

the 'i&ht "# the ""n "r !n where !"e #"r

+-ide! in it! p'+$e. 8hen G"d:! Li&ht !hine! #"rth

n2ei'ed* neither he+2en n"r e+rth re+in.

Neither !n n"r ""n. N"thin& re+in! -t th+t

&re+t Re+'it%.A $ert+in ,in& !+id t" + der2i!h* In the

"ent when %" #ind re2e'+ti"n +nd pr"pin


17/179

der2i!h rep'ied* 8hen I $"e int" th+t re!en$e*

+nd the Li&ht "# th+t Sn !hine! p"n e* I wi''

n" "re ree-er %!e'#. H"w then $+n Iree-er %"C

E2en !ti''* +,e + re


18/179

discourse4FIHI MA FIHI V 5>

!eed! +nd -e+r! #rit* it +$$ept! +nd re2e+'! + hndred

th"!+nd +r2e'! t"" ner"! t" te''. The

"nt+in! &i2e #"rth ine! "# &"'d +nd !i'2er. A''the!e thin&! the he+2en!* the e+rth +nd the "nt+in!

d"* %et the% d" n"t per#"r th+t "ne thin&K

th+t p+rti$'+r t+!, i! per#"red -% !.*e offered the 6rust to the heavens,

6he earth and the #ountains,

6hey refused to &arry it and ere afraid of it,

5ut hu#ans &arried it.

$ure"y they are foo"ish and sinfu".-

S"* pe"p'e +re &i2en + t+!,* +nd when the% per#"r

it +'' their !in#'ne!! +nd #""'i!hne!! i! di!!"'2ed.Y" !+%* L"", +t +'' the w"r, I d" +$$"p'i!h*

e2en i# I d" n"t per#"r th+t t+!,. Y"

weren:t $re+ted #"r th"!e "ther t+!,! It i! ;!t +!

i# %" were &i2en + !w"rd "# pri$e'e!! Indi+n !tee'*

!$h +! $+n "n'% -e #"nd in the tre+!rie! "#

,in&!* +nd %" were t" tre+t it +! + -t$her:! ,ni#e

#"r $ttin& p ptrid e+t* !+%in&* I + n"t 'ettin&

thi! !w"rd !t+nd id'e* I + !in& it in !" +n%!e#' w+%!. Or it i! 'i,e t+,in& + !"'id &"'d -"w'

t" $"", trnip! in* when + !in&'e &r+in "# th+t

&"'d $"'d -% + hndred p"t!. Or it i! +! i# %"

t"", + D++!$ene d+&&er "# the #ine!t teper t"

h+n& + -r",en &"rd #r"* !+%in&* I + +,in&

&""d !e "# it. I + h+n&in& + &"rd "n it. I +

n"t 'ettin& thi! d+&&er &" t" w+!te. H"w #""'i!h

th+t w"'d -e The &"rd $+n h+n& per#e$t'% we''#r" + w""den "r ir"n n+i' wh"!e 2+'e i! + ere

#+rthin&* !" wh% !e + d+&&er 2+'ed +t + hndredp"nd!C

A p"et "n$e !+id30ou are #ore pre&ious than heaven and earth.

hat #ore &an I say7

0ou do not kno your on orth.

G"d !+%!* I wi'' -% %"...%"r "ent!*

%"r -re+th!* %"r p"!!e!!i"n!* %"r 'i2e!. Spend

the "n Me. Trn the "2er t" Me* +nd their

pri$e i! di2ine #reed"* &r+$e +nd wi!d". Thi! i!

%"r w"rth in M% e%e!. Bt i# we ,eep "r 'i#e#"r "r!e'#* then we '"!e wh+t tre+!re! we h+2e

-een &r+nted. Li,e the per!"n wh" h+ered the

d+&&er* w"rth + hndred p"nd! int" the w+'' t"

h+n& + &"rd p"n* their &re+t #"rtne w+!red$ed t" + n+i'.

Sti'' %" "##er +n"ther e1$!e* !+%in&* Bt I

+pp'% %!e'# t" '"#t% t+!,!. I !td% '+w* phi'"!"ph%*

'"&i$* +!tr"n"%* edi$ine +nd the re!t.

2) V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V 58e''* #"r wh"!e !+,e -t %"r "wn d" %" !td%

the!eC I# it i! '+w* it i! !" n"-"d% $+n !te+' + '"+#

#r" %"* !trip %" "# %"r $'"the!* "r ,i'' %"

in !h"rt* it i! #"r %"r "wn !e$rit%. I# it i! +!tr"n"%*


19/179

the ph+!e! "# the !phere! +nd their in#'en$e

p"n the e+rth* whether the% +re 'i&ht "r he+2%*

p"rtendin& tr+n


20/179

then I ,n"w the% +re +-'e t" pr+i!e e* +nd th+t

pr+i!e wi'' &" where it -e'"n&!.

Thi! i! 'i,e the !t"r% the% te'' "# + $ert+in ,in&.Thi! ,in& entr!ted hi! !"n t" + te+ "# 'e+rned

!$h"'+r!. In de $"r!e* the% t+&ht hi the !$ien$e!

"# +!tr"'"&%* &e"+n$%* +nd the interpret+ti"n

"# !i&n!* nti' he -e$+e + $"p'ete +!ter*

de!pite hi! tter !tpidit% +nd d''ne!! "# wit.

One d+% the ,in& t"", + rin& in hi! #i!t +nd pthi! !"n t" the te!t.

0"e* te'' e wh+t I + h"'din& in % #i!t.8h+t %" +re h"'din& i! r"nd* %e''"w*

in!$ri-ed +nd h"''"w* the prin$e +n!wered.

Y" h+2e &i2en +'' the !i&n! $"rre$t'%* the

,in& !+id. N"w !+% wh+t it i!.

It !t -e + !ie2e. the prin$e rep'ied.

8h+tC $ried the ,in&. Y" ,n"w +'' the

inte det+i'!* whi$h w"'d -+##'e the ind! "#

+n%"ne. H"w i! it th+t "t "# +'' %"r p"wer#'

'e+rnin& +nd ,n"w'ed&e* the !+'' p"int h+!

e!$+ped %" th+t + !ie2e wi'' n"t #it in + #i!tC

In thi! !+e w+%* the &re+t !$h"'+r! "# the +&e!p'it h+ir! "n det+i'! "# +'' +tter!. The% ,n"w

per#e$t'% +nd $"p'ete'% th"!e !$ien$e! th+t d"

n"t $"n$ern S"'. Bt +! #"r wh+t i! tr'% "#

ip"rt+n$e +nd t"$he! ! "re $'"!e'% th+n +n%thin&

e'!e* n+e'% "r "wn Se'#* thi! %"r &re+t

!$h"'+r! d" n"t ,n"w. The% +,e !t+teent!

+-"t e2er%thin&* !+%in&* Thi! i! tre +nd th+t i!n"t tre. Thi! i! ri&ht +nd th+t i! wr"n&. Yet*

the% d" n"t ,n"w their "wn Se'#* whether it i!

tre "r #+'!e* pre "r ipre.

N"w -ein& h"''"w +nd %e''"w* in!$ri-ed +nd

$ir$'+r* the!e #e+tre! +re +$$ident+'K $+!t the rin&

int" the #ire +nd n"ne "# the wi'' re+in. It-e$"e! it! e!!enti+' !e'#* pri#ied "# +'' +ppe+r+n$e!.

S" it i! with the ,n"w'ed&e "# !$h"'+r!K


FIHI MA FIHI V ??

wh+t the% ,n"w h+! n" $"nne$ti"n with the

e!!enti+' re+'it% th+t +'"ne e1i!t! when +'' the!e

!i&n! +re &"ne. The% !pe+, wi!e'%* e1p"nd +t

&re+t 'en&th* +nd #in+''% pr"n"n$e th+t wh+t the

,in& h+! in hi! h+nd i! + !ie2e. The% h+2e n"

,n"w'ed&e +-"t the r""t "# the +tter3 'i#e:! prp"!e.

I + + -ird. I + + ni&htin&+'e. I# the% !+% t"

e* M+,e !"e "ther ,ind "# !"nd* I $+nn"t.

M% t"n&e i! wh+t it i!. I $+nn"t !pe+, "therwi!e.H"we2er* th"!e wh" 'e+rn the !"n& "# -ird! +re

n"t -ird! the!e'2e!"n the $"ntr+r%* the% +re

the eneie! "# -ird! +nd their $+pt"r!. The% !in&

+nd whi!t'e !" "ther! wi'' t+,e the #"r -ird!.

A!, the t" pr"d$e + di##erent !"nd +nd the%

$+n d" !"* -e$+!e th+t !"nd i! ere'% +!!ed

-% the. It i! n"t tr'% their "wn. Li,e the !$h"'+r!*the% +re +-'e t" !in& "ther !"n&! -e$+!e the%

h+2e 'e+rned t" r"- th"!e !"n&!* +nd t" !h"w "##

+ di##erent tne !t"'en #r" e2er% -re+!t.


21/179

The Air* !rpri!ed -% +n ne1pe$ted 2i!it #r"

Ri* !+id3 M+!ter* h"w &r+$i"! "# %" t"

h"n"r e in thi! w+%. I ne2er e1pe$ted thi!. Itne2er e2en entered % ind th+t I $"'d -e w"rth%

"# !$h +n h"n"r. B% ri&ht! I !h"'d -e !t+ndin&

ni&ht +nd d+% in the r+n,! +nd $"p+n% "#

%"r !er2+nt! +nd +ttend+nt!. I: n"t e2en w"rth%

"# th+t. H"w &r+$i"! thi! i!

Ri !+id3 It i! +'' -e$+!e "# %"r '"#t% !pirit+'+!pir+ti"n!. The hi&her +nd &re+ter %"r r+n,

+nd the "re %" -e$"e "$$pied with ip"rt+nt*e1+'ted w"r'd'% +##+ir!* the "re %" $"n!ider

%"r!e'# t" h+2e #+''en !h"rt "# %"r !pirit+'

prp"!e. Y" +re n"t !+ti!#ied with wh+t %"

h+2e +$hie2ed* thin,in& th+t %" h+2e t"" +n%

"-'i&+ti"n!. Sin$e n"ne "# the!e +tt+inent! $+n

-'ind %" #r" th+t di2ine +tt+inent* % he+rt i!

"2ed t" !er2in& %". And %et #"r +'' th+t* !ti''* I

w+nted t" p+% %" #"r+' h"n"r +! we''.

F"r t"" p"!!e!!e! &re+t ip"rt+n$e. N"*

$h "re th+n ip"rt+n$eit i! "# tre !-discourse

8FIHI MA FIHI V ?

!t+n$e. J!t +! the -"d% wi'' #+i' i# it '+$,! + he+rt*

!" t"" it #+i'! with"t + !,in. I# %" p'+nt + !eed

with n" h!,* it $+nn"t &r"w* -t i# %" -r% it in

the e+rth with it! !he''* then it &erin+te! +nd

-e$"e! + &re+t tree. S"* #"r i! + &re+t +nd ne$e!!+r%

prin$ip'e* +nd with"t it "r t+!, #+i'! +nd

"r prp"!e i! n"t +tt+ined. Ye!* thi! prin$ip'e i!

re+'it% in the e%e! "# th"!e wh" ,n"w re+'it% +nd

h+2e -e$"e re+'it%A der2i!h "n$e entered the pre!en$e "# + ,in&.

The ,in& +ddre!!ed hi* Oh* +!$eti$.

Y" +re the +!$eti$* the der2i!h +n!wered.

H"w $+n I -e +n +!$eti$* the ,in& de+nded*

!in$e the wh"'e w"r'd -e'"n&! t" eC

Ah* %" !ee thin&! the "pp"!ite "# wh+t the%

+re* rep'ied the der2i!h. Thi! w"r'd +nd the

ne1t +nd +'' th+t there i! t" p"!!e!!* the!e +''-e'"n& t" e. I h+2e !ei7ed the wh"'e w"r'd. It i!

%" wh" h+2e -e$"e !+ti!#ied with + "th#'

+nd + r+&.

8here2er %" trn* there i! the F+$e "# G"d.Thi! F+$e rn! +nd e1tend! in#inite'% +nd #"re2er.

Tre !pirit+' '"2er! h+2e !+$ri#i$ed the!e'2e! #"r

the !+,e "# th+t F+$e* de!irin& n"thin& in retrn.

The re!t "# the h+n r+$e +re 'i,e $+tt'e.Yet* e2en th"&h the% +re $+tt'e* !ti'' the%

de!er2e #+2"r. The% +% 'i2e in the !t+-'e* %et the%

+re +$$epted -% the L"rd "# the !t+-'e. I# He !"

de!ire!* He tr+n!#er! the #r" thi! !t+-'e int"

Hi! pri2+te pen. S"* in the -e&innin& G"d -r"&ht

en +nd w"en int" e1i!ten$e* +nd then tr+n!#erred


22/179

the #r" the pen "# !pirit+' e1i!ten$e

int" the w"r'd in+ni+te. Then #r" the pen "#

the w"r'd in+ni+te int" the 2e&et+-'e w"r'd.Then #r" 2e&et+-'e int" +ni+'. Fr" +ni+' t"

h+n* h+n t" +n&e'* +nd !" "n #"re2er. He

+ni#e!ted +'' the!e #"r! !" th+t %" w"'d

,n"w Hi! pen! +re +n%* +nd th+t e+$h "ne i!

'"#tier th+n the ne1t.

G"d re2e+'ed thi! pre!ent w"r'd !" th+t %"$"'d +$$ept the "ther !t+&e! th+t 'ie +he+d. He

did n"t re2e+' it !" th+t %" w"'d !+%* Thi! i! +''there i!. The +!ter! "# $r+#t! de"n!tr+te their

+-i'itie! +nd +rt! !" their +pprenti$e! wi'' #ind

#+ith in the* +nd wi'' -e'ie2e in the "ther +rt!

the% h+2e n"t %et de"n!tr+ted. A ,in& -e!t"w!

r"-e! "# h"n"r +nd '+2i!he! ,indne!! "n hi! !-;e$t!

-e$+!e the% '"", #"rw+rd t" re$ei2in& "ther

&i#t! #r" hi* +nd h+n& h"pe#''% p"n #tre


FIHI MA FIHI V ?>

pr!e! "# &"'d. He d"e! n"t &r+nt the!e thin&! #"r

the t" !+%* Thi! i! +'' there i!. The ,in& wi'' n"t&i2e "t +n% "ther -'e!!in&!* +nd !" +,e d"

with th+t +"nt. I# the ,in& ,n"w! +n% !-;e$t!

+re &"in& t" !+% th+t* +nd t+,e !$h &i#t! #"r

&r+nted* he wi'' ne2er -e!t"w +n% -'e!!in&! wh+t!"e2er

p"n the.

The +!$eti$ i! "ne wh" !ee! the here+#ter* whi'e

the w"r'd'in& !ee! "n'% the !t+-'e. Bt the $h"!en"ne! "# G"d* wh" h+2e tre ,n"w'ed&e* !ee neither

the here+#ter n"r the !t+-'e. Their e%e! +re

#i1ed "n the #ir!t prin$ip'e* the !"r$e "# +'' thin&!.

8hen the $h"!en "ne !"w! whe+t the% ,n"w th+t

whe+t wi'' &r"w* -e$+!e the% !ee the end #r"

the -e&innin&. S" it i! with -+r'e% +nd ri$e +nd +''thin&!!eein& the -e&innin&* their e%e! +re n"t

#i1ed "n the end. The% ,n"w the $"n$'!i"n #r"the !t+rt. S$h en +nd w"en +re r+re.

It i! p+in th+t &ide! ! in e2er% enterpri!e.

Unti' there i! +n +$he within* + p+!!i"n +nd +

%e+rnin& #"r th+t thin& +ri!in& within !* we wi''

ne2er !tri2e t" +tt+in it. 8ith"t p+in it re+in!

-e%"nd "r re+$h* whether it i! !$$e!! in thi!

w"r'd "r !+'2+ti"n in the ne1t* whether we +i +t

-e$"in& + er$h+nt "r + ,in&* + !$ienti!t "r +n

+!tr"n"er. It w+! n"t nti' the p+in! "# -irth

+ni#e!ted in M+r% th+t !he +de #"r the tree.

Th"!e p+n&! dr"2e her t" the tree* +nd the treeth+t w+! withered -e$+e #rit#'.

8e +re 'i,e th+t !t"r% "# M+r% in the "r+n.

E2er% "ne "# ! h+! + Je!! within* -t nti' the

p+n&! +ni#e!t* "r Je!! i! n"t -"rn. I# the p+n&!

ne2er $"e* then "r $hi'd re;"in! it! "ri&in -% the

!+e !e$ret p+th thr"&h whi$h it $+e* 'e+2in&

! ept%* with"t the -irth "# "r tre !e'#.0our inard sou" is hun!ry.

0our outard f"esh is over fed.

6he devi" has !or!ed to si&kness.

6he kin! e!s even for read.

6he &ure is found hi"e 9esus is here on earth:


23/179

5ut on&e he returns to heaven,

a"" hope i"" have f"ed.


Ri !+id3 The!e w"rd! +re #"r the !+,e "# th"!e

wh" need w"rd! t" nder!t+nd. Bt +! #"r th"!e

wh" nder!t+nd with"t w"rd!* wh+t !e h+2e

the% #"r !pee$hC The he+2en! +nd e+rth +re w"rd!

t" the* !ent #"rth the!e'2e! #r" the 8"rd "#

G"d. 8h"e2er he+r! + whi!per* wh+t need h+2ethe% #"r !h"tin& +nd !$re+in&C

An Ar+-i$ !pe+,in& p"et "n$e $+e int" the

pre!en$e "# + ,in&. N"w the ,in& w+! + Tr,* +nd

did n"t e2en ,n"w er!i+n. The p"et h+d $"p"!ed

in hi! h"n"r !"e -ri''i+nt 2er!e! in Ar+-i$*

+nd h+d -r"&ht the!e with hi. 8hen the ,in&

h+d t+,en hi! !e+t "n the thr"ne +nd the $"rtier!were +'' pre!ent +nd d'% !t+ti"ned* $"+nder!

+nd ini!ter! e+$h in their p'+$e* the p"et r"!e t"

hi! #eet +nd -e&+n t" re$ite hi! p"e. At e2er%

p+!!+&e de!er2in& +pp'+!e the ,in& n"dded hi!

he+d* whi'e +t e2er% p+!!+&e pr"2",in& +!t"ni!hent

he '"",ed ++7ed. Sii'+r'%* he re!p"nded

t" e2er% p+!!+&e e1pre!!in& !-i!!i"n. The

$"rtier! were +!t"nded.

discourse(Or ,in& did n"t ,n"w + w"rd "# Ar+-i$*

the% rred +"n&!t the!e'2e!. H"w i! it

th+t he n"dded hi! he+d !" $"rre$t'%C He !t

h+2e ,n"wn Ar+-i$ +'' the!e %e+r! +nd ,ept it hidden#r" !. I# we h+2e e2er ttered in$i2i'itie! in

Ar+-i$* then w"e i! !

N"w the ,in& h+d + #+2"rite !'+2e. S" the$"rtier! +!!e-'ed t"&ether +nd &+2e the !'+2e +

h"r!e* + 'e* +nd + ! "# "ne%* +nd the%

pr"i!ed t" &i2e hi thi! $h +&+in. J!t #ind

"t whether "r n"t the ,in& ,n"w! Ar+-i$* the%

!+id t" hi. I# he d"e! n"t* h"w w+! it th+t hen"dded ;!t +t the ri&ht p'+$e!C 8+! it + ir+$'eC

8+! it di2ine in!pir+ti"nC

Fin+''% "ne d+% the !'+2e #"nd hi! "pp"rtnit%.

The ,in& w+! "t hntin&* +nd the !'+2e per$ei2ed

th+t he w+! in + &""d ""d* !in$e the hnt

h+d &"ne we''. S" he +!,ed the ,in& p"int -'+n,.

The ,in& -r!t "t '+&hin&.

B% G"d* I d"n:t ,n"w Ar+-i$* he !+id. A!#"r n"ddin& +nd +pp'+din&* I ,new "# $"r!e

wh+t the p"et:! "-;e$t w+! in $"p"!in& th+t

p"e* +nd !" I n"dded +nd +pp'+ded.

S" it w+! re+'i7ed th+t the r""t "# the +tter

w+! the prp"!e de!iredK the p"e it!e'# w+!


FIHI MA FIHI V P=

ere'% the -r+n$h "# th+t prp"!e. I# it h+d n"t

-een #"r th+t prp"!e* the p"et w"'d ne2er h+2e

$"p"!ed th+t p"e.


24/179

I# "r re+' prp"!e i! ,ept in 2iew* d+'it% 2+ni!he!.

D+'it% !h"w! the -r+n$he!* -t the r""t i!

"ne. It i! the !+e with S#i !hei,h!. A'th"&h t""tw+rd +ppe+r+n$e the% h+2e 2+ri"! !t%'e! "#

te+$hin& +nd di##er wide'% in their !"$i+' !t+ndin&*

e2en in their +$ti"n +nd w"rd!* %et #r" the

!t+ndp"int "# their prp"!e the% +'' h+2e "ne &"+'*

n+e'% the


25/179

!


26/179

T+-ri7* per!i!ted +nd w"'d n"t $e+!e hi!

re


27/179

th+n th+t. I# the h+w, ,new #"r wh+t re+!"n the

,in& w+nted t" $+ptre it* it w"'d n"t re


28/179

discourse;FIHI MA FIHI V =

pw+rd!* whi'e the "!e dr+&! it d"wn. A hndred

th"!+nd di##erent wi'd -e+!t! +re t"&ether

within !* -t the% +re +'' $"n2er&in& "n th+t"ent when the "!e wi'' ren"n$e it! "!eh""d

+nd the -ird it! -irdh""d* +nd +'' -e$"e

"ne. F"r the &"+' i! neither &"in& p "r d"wn.

8hen the &"+' !h"w! it!e'# $'e+r'%* it wi'' -e neither

+-"2e n"r -e'"w.

A w"+n '"!t !"ethin&. She '"",! 'e#t +nd

ri&ht* in #r"nt +nd -ehind. On$e !he h+! #"nd

th+t thin& !he n" '"n&er !e+r$he! +-"2e +nd

-e'"w* 'e#t +nd ri&ht* in #r"nt "r -ehind. A'' +t

"n$e !he -e$"e! $+' +nd $"''e$ted. Sii'+r'%*"n the re!rre$ti"n d+% +'' pe"p'e wi'' -e "# "ne

e%e* t"n&e* e+r +nd nder!t+ndin&.

8hen ten #riend! !h+re + &+rden "r + !h"p in$""n* the% !pe+, +! "ne* the% p'+n +! "ne* +nd

their w"r, i! with "ne thin& !in$e their "-;e$ti2e

i! the !+e. S"* "n the re!rre$ti"n d+%* !in$e the

+##+ir "# +'' wi'' -e with G"d* the% wi'' +'' -e "ne.

In thi! w"r'd e2er%"ne i! pre"$$pied with +!ep+r+te +##+ir. One i! in '"2e with w"en* "ne i!

in '"2e with we+'th* +n"ther i! en&+&ed in +$


29/179

There#"re* #"r the* the re!rre$ti"n i! +'re+d%

+ni#e!t +nd pre!ent.

There i! n" end t" w"rd!* -t the% +re &i2en+$$"rdin& t" the $+p+$it% "# the !ee,er.

8i!d" i! 'i,e the r+in. It! !pp'% i! n'iited*

-t it $"e! d"wn +$$"rdin& t" wh+t the "$$+!i"n

re


30/179

we+'th were !h"wered p"n hi with"t end*

'+id $'+i t" -ein& + &"dC

Ye!* indeed the!e pe"p'e h+2e #+ith* -t the% d"n"t ,n"w wh+t th+t #+ith i! in. In the !+e w+% +

$hi'd h+! #+ith it wi'' h+2e -re+d t" e+t* -t the%

d"n:t ,n"w where thi! -re+d $"e! #r". It i! the

!+e with +'' thin&! th+t &r"w. A tree trn! %e''"w

+nd dr% "# thir!t* -t it d"e!n:t ,n"w wh+t

thir!t re+''% i!.Or #+ith i! 'i,e + #'+&. Fir!t we !et the #'+&

#'tterin& in the +ir t" pr"$'+i "r -e'ie#* +ndthen !end tr""p! t" the #""t "# th+t #'+& #r"

e2er% dire$ti"n t" !pp"rt +nd de#end it. 8e !end

re+!"n* nder!t+ndin&* #r% +nd +n&er* #"r-e+r+n$e

+nd 'i-er+'it%* #e+r +nd h"pe* "n +nd "n

with"t end. 8h"e2er '"",! #r" +#+r !ee! "n'%

the #'+&* -t th"!e wh" !ee #r" $'"!e +t h+nd

,n"w the e!!en$e! +nd re+'itie! th+t re!ide within

!.

S"e"ne $+e in +nd Ri !+id3 8here h+2e

%" -eenC 8e h+2e -een '"n&in& t" !ee %". 8h%

h+2e %" !t+%ed +w+%CThe 2i!it"r rep'ied* It w+! ;!t h"w thin&!

$"n!pired.

Ri !+id3 8e* #"r "r p+rt* h+2e -een pr+%in&

th+t thi! $"n!pir+$% "# thin&! i&ht $"e t" +n

end. A $"n!pir+$% "# thin&! th+t pr"d$e! !ep+r+ti"n

i! +n ipr"per $"n!pir+$%. Ye!* -% G"d* it t""

$"e! #r" G"d* +nd in re'+ti"n t" G"d i! &""d.It i! + tre !+%in&* th+t +'' thin&! +re &""d +nd per#e$t

in re'+ti"n t" G"d* -t in re'+ti"n t" !* h"w

$+n thi! -e treC F"rni$+ti"n +nd prit%* +2"idin&

pr+%er +nd pr+%in&* n-e'ie# +nd I!'+* id"'+tr%

+nd G"d:! nit%with G"d +'' the!e +re &""d.

Bt t" !* #"rni$+ti"n +nd thie2in&* n-e'ie# +ndid"'+tr% +re -+d* whi'e G"d:! nit% +nd pr+%er +re

&""d. E2en th"&h in re'+ti"n t" G"d +'' +re&""d.


FIHI MA FIHI V >

A ,in& h+! in hi! re+' pri!"n! +nd &+''"w!*

r"-e! "# h"n"r +nd we+'th* e!t+te! +nd +ttend+nt!

in w+itin&* #e+!tin& +nd $e'e-r+ti"n* dr! +nd

#'+&!. In re'+ti"n t" the ,in& +'' the!e thin&! +re

&""d. J!t +! r"-e! "# h"n"r +re the per#e$t #'"ri!h

#"r hi! ,in&d"* in the !+e w+% &+''"w! +nd

pri!"n! +re per#e$t "rn+ent!. In re'+ti"n t" hi

+'' the!e thin&! +re per#e$t* -t in re'+ti"n t" hi!pe"p'e h"w $"'d r"-e! "# h"n"r +nd the &+''"w!

-e "ne +nd the !+eC

S"e"ne +!,ed3 8h+t i! &re+ter th+n pr+%erC

Ri !+id3 One +n!wer i! th+t the !"' "#

pr+%er i! &re+ter th+n pr+%er* +! I h+2e +'re+d%

e1p'+ined. A !e$"nd +n!wer i! th+t #+ith i! &re+ter.

r+%er i! + !erie! "# d+i'% +$ti"n!* whi'e #+ith i!$"ntin"!. r+%er $+n -e dr"pped #"r + 2+'id re+!"n*

"r $+n -e p"!tp"ned* -t it i! ip"!!i-'e t"

dr"p "r p"!tp"ne #+ith #"r +n% e1$!e. And where


31/179

pr+%er with"t #+ith &+in! n"thin&* +! in the $+!e

"# h%p"$rite!* #+ith with"t pr+%er i! 2+'+-'e.

An"ther p"int3 whi'e the pr+%er "# e2er% re'i&i"ni! e+$h


32/179

The di!$ip'e* wh" i! #ed +t the t+-'e "# + '"2er

"# G"d* h+! + $'e+n +nd tre !pirit. Bt th"!e wh"

+re n"ri!hed -% the h+nd! "# +n ip"!ter +nd +-r+&&+rt* 'e+rnin& the !$ien$e #r" the* -e$"e

;!t 'i,e their te+$her* $"ntepti-'e +nd #ee-'e*

we+, +nd n+-'e t" +,e p their ind! +-"t

+n%thin&.

8ithin "r -ein& +'' !$ien$e! were "ri&in+''%

;"ined +! "ne* !" th+t "r !pirit di!p'+%ed +'' hid9( V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V =den thin&!* 'i,e $'e+r w+ter !h"w! e2er%thin&

within itpe--'e!* -r",en !h+rd! +nd the 'i,e

+nd re#'e$t! the !,% +-"2e #r" it! !r#+$e 'i,e +

irr"r. Thi! i! S"':! tre n+tre* with"t tre+tent

"r tr+inin&. Bt "n$e S"' h+! in&'ed with

the e+rth +nd it! e+rth'% e'eent!* thi! $'+rit%

'e+2e! it +nd i! #"r&"tten. S" G"d !end! #"rth the

pr"phet! +nd !+int!* 'i,e + &re+t tr+n!'$ent "$e+n

th+t +$$ept! +'' w+ter!* +nd %et n" +tter h"w

d+r, "r dirt% +re the ri2er! th+t p"r int" it* th+t

"$e+n re+in! pre. Then S"' ree-er!. 8henit !ee! it! re#'e$ti"n in th+t n!''ied w+ter* it

,n"w! #"r !re th+t in the -e&innin& it t"" w+!

pre* +nd the!e !h+d"w! +nd $"'"r! +re ere +$$ident!.

The pr"phet! +nd the !+int!* there#"re* reind

! "# "r "ri&in+' !t+teK the% d" n"t ip'+nt +n%thin&

new. N"w* e2er% w+ter* n" +tter h"w

d+r,* th+t re$"&ni7e! th+t &re+t w+ter* !+%in&* I$"e #r" thi! +nd I -e'"n& t" thi!* i! tr'% +

p+rt "# th+t "$e+n. Bt the d+r, e'eent! th+t d"

n"t re$"&ni7e th+t "$e+n +nd -e'ie2e the% +re ,in

t" +n"ther ,ind* the% +,e their h"e with the

$"'"r! +nd !h+d"w! "# the e+rth.

It w+! #"r thi! re+!"n th+t the r"phet !+id*N"w there $"e! t" %" + Me!!en&er #r"

+"n&!t %"r!e'2e!. In "ther w"rd!* the &re+t"$e+n i! th+t !+e !-!t+n$e +! %"r "wn w+ter*

it i! +'' #r" "ne !e'# +nd "ne !"r$e. Bt #"r th"!e

e'eent! th+t d" n"t #ee' the +ttr+$ti"n "# #+i'i+rit%*

thi! #+i're d"e! n"t $"e #r" the w+ter

it!e'#* -t #r" the p"''ti"n in th+t w+ter. Thi!

p"''ti"n i! i1ed in !" $'"!e'% th+t the w+ter

d"e! n"t ,n"w whether it! "wn !h%in& +w+% #r"

the "$e+n $"e! #r" it!e'#* "r #r" the e!!en$e

"# th+t p"''ti"n. And !"* e2i' en d" n"t ,n"w

whether their +ttr+$ti"n t"w+rd e2i' !prin&! #r"

their "wn n+tre* "r #r" !"e d+r, e'eentin&'ed in.

E2er% 'ine "# p"etr% the !+int! +nd pr"phet!

-rin& #"rth* e2er% tr+diti"n* e2er% 2er!e the%

write* i! 'i,e + witne!! -e+rin& te!ti"n%. The%

-e+r witne!! t" e2er% !it+ti"n +$$"rdin& t" the

n+tre "# the !it+ti"n. In the !+e w+% we h+2e

tw" witne!!e! +t the inherit+n$e "# + h"!e* tw"witne!!e! +t the !+'e "# + !h"p* tw" witne!!e! +t +

+rri+&e. S" t""* the !+int! -e+r witne!!. The

inner #"r "# their te!ti"n% i! +'w+%! the !+eK


33/179

(2 V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V ?

it i! the "ter e+nin& th+t di##er!. I pr+% th+tG"d +% $+!e the!e w"rd! t" -e+r witne!! t"

G"d +nd %" +'i,e.

S"e"ne !+id3 A +n $+e wh" w+nted t" !ee

%". He ,ept !+%in&* I wi!h I $"'d h+2e !een the

M+!ter.

Ri !+id3 He d"e! n"t !ee the M+!ter +t thi!

"ent -e$+!e in trth the de!ire th+t #i''ed hi*

n+e'% t" !ee the M+!ter* w+! + 2ei' hidin& theM+!ter. S" it i! with +'' de!ire! +nd +##e$ti"n!* +''

'"2e! +nd #"ndne!!e! th+t pe"p'e h+2e #"r e2er%

2+riet% "# thin+ther* "ther* he+2en* e+rth*

&+rden!* p+'+$e!* ,n"w'ed&e* thin&! t" e+t +nd

drin,. The '"2er "# G"d re+'i7e! +'' the!e de!ire!

+re tr'% the de!ire #"r G"d* +nd the% +re +'' 2ei'!

$"2erin& h+nit%:! e%e!. 8hen we p+!! int" the

ne1t w"r'd +nd -eh"'d Re+'it% with"t the!e

2ei'!* then we re+'i7e +'' th"!e were 2ei'! +nd $"2erin&!*

+nd th+t "r tre


34/179

the wh"'e w"r'd +nd e2er% $re+tre w"'d

-e -rned p +nd de!tr"%ed.

8hen G"d re2e+'! It!e'# thr"&h + 2ei' t" the"nt+in* th"!e !'"pe! -e$"e #''% +rr+%ed in

tree! +nd #'"wer! +nd 2erdre. H"we2er* when

G"d -rin&! re2e'+ti"n with"t + 2ei'* It de!tr"%!

the "nt+in +nd -re+,! it int" +t"!.

S"e"ne +!,ed3 8e''* i!n:t thi! the !+e !n

in the winterCRi +n!wered3 Or prp"!e here w+! t"

dr+w + $"p+ri!"n. It i! n"t + +tter "# +t"!* "rAd+. Sii'+rit% i! "ne thin&* $"p+ri!"n i!

+n"ther. A'th"&h "r ind $+nn"t $"prehend

th+t re+'it%* %et h"w $+n ind +-+nd"n the e##"rtC

I# "r re+!"n &+2e p the !tr&&'e* it w"'d n"

'"n&er -e re+!"n. Re+!"n i! th+t thin& th+t perpet+''%*

ni&ht +nd d+%* i! re!t'e!! whi'e thin,in&

+nd !tr&&'in&* !tri2in& t" $"prehend* e2en

th"&h G"d i! n,n"w+-'e +nd in$"prehen!i-'e.

Re+!"n i! 'i,e + "th* +nd the Be'"2ed i! 'i,e +

$+nd'e. 8hene2er the "th d+!he! it!e'# +&+in!t

the $+nd'e* it i! $"n!ed +nd de!tr"%ed* -t the(( V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V >

"th i! thi! w+% -% n+tre. N" +tter h"w $h

th+t $"n!in& #'+e +nd +&"n% +% hrt* the

"th $+nn"t #'% #r" the $+nd'e. I# there were

+n"ther $re+tre 'i,e the "th th+t $"'d n"t #'%

+w+% #r" the 'i&ht "# the $+nd'e* +nd d+!hedit!e'# +&+in!t th+t 'i&ht* th+t w"'d n"t -e + ere

$"p+ri!"n* th+t w"'d -e + "th it!e'#. Bt i#

the "th d+!hed it!e'# +&+in!t the 'i&ht "# the $+nd'e

+nd the "th were n"t $"n!ed* th+t indeed

$"'d n"t -e + $+nd'e.

There#"re* the h+n -ein& wh" $+n d" with"tG"d* '+$,in& e2en the de!ire* th+t i! n"

h+n -ein& +t +''. Bt i# the% +re +-'e t" $"prehendG"d* th+t indeed $"'d n"t -e G"d. S"*

the tre '"2er i! ne2er #ree #r" !tri2in&* the%

re2"'2e re!t'e!!'% +nd $e+!e'e!!'% +r"nd the 'i&ht

"# G"d. And G"d $"n!e! the* +,in& the

n"thin&* de!tr"%in& the 2ei' "# their re+!"n.

The Air !+id t" Ri3 Be#"re %" +rri2ed ;!t

n"w* %"r e'de!t !"n* B+h+ +'9Din* e1$!ed hi!e'#

t" e* !+%in&* M% #+ther !+id th+t he d"e!n:t

w+nt t" pt %" t" +n% tr"-'e when %" $"e t"

2i!it hi. He !+%!* I + !-;e$t t" 2+ri"! !t+te!

"# $"n!$i"!ne!!. In "ne !t+te I !pe+,* +nd in+n"ther I d" n"t. In "ne !t+te I +ttend t" the

+##+ir! "# "ther!* +nd in +n"ther !t+te I withdr+w

+nd &" int" retre+t* whi'e in %et +n"ther !t+te I +

tter'% +-!"r-ed +nd -e%"nd thi! w"r'd. I d" n"t

wi!h the Air t" $"e when I: in + !t+te "#

-ein& th+t i! di!+&ree+-'e* when I + n+-'e t"

$"n!e' +nd $"n2er!e with hi. There#"re* it i!-etter th+t when I + #ree +nd +-'e t" +ttend

t" % #riend! +nd d" the !"e &""d* th+t I

!h"'d &" "t +nd 2i!it the.:


35/179

The Air went "n3 I +n!wered B+h+ +'9Din*

!+%in&* I d" n"t $"e here !" th+t "r M+!ter

!h"'d +ttend t" e +nd $"n2er!e with e. M%prp"!e in $"in& i! t" h+2e the h"n"r "# -ein&

discourse

1FIHI MA FIHI V +"n&!t the $"p+n% "# hi! !er2+nt!.: F"r e1+p'e*;!t n"w %" were pre"$$pied +nd did n"t

!h"w %"r!e'# nti' %" h+d ,ept e w+itin& #"r

+ '"n& tie. Thi! w+! !" I w"'d re+'i7e h"w

di##i$'t +nd di!+&ree+-'e it i! i# I ,eep "ther!

w+itin& when the% $"e t" % d""r +nd I d" n"t

re+di'% +dit the. Y" h+2e +de e t+!te the

-itterne!! "# th+t +nd h+2e &i2en e + 'e!!"n !"

th+t I wi'' n"t +$t 'i,e th+t with "ther!.Ri +n!wered3 Th+t:! n"t tre. On the $"ntr+r%*

% ,eepin& %" w+itin& i! +n e1pre!!i"n "#

t"!t '"2in&9,indne!!. J!t +! G"d de$'+re!* O% $hi'd* I w"'d +n!wer %"r !+''e!t petiti"n

+nd !'i&hte!t $"p'+int with"t de'+%* i# it weren:t

th+t the 2"i$e "# %"r $"p'+int i! !" !weet t" %

e+r!. M% +n!wer 'in&er! n!p",en in h"pe! th+t

%" i&ht $"p'+in +&+in +nd +&+in* #"r the!"nd "# %"r 2"i$e i! !" !weet t" e.

F"r e1+p'e* tw" -e&&+r! $"e t" the d""r "#

+ $ert+in per!"n. One i! hi&h'% '"2ed +nd !"&ht

+#ter* whi'e the "ther i! di!'i,ed. The "wner "# the

h"!e !+%! t" + !'+2e* Gi2e th+t h+ted "ne + pie$e

"# -re+d


36/179

FIHI MA FIHI V >=

int" +n"ther e!!en$e* !in$e %" ne2er re+''% ,newth+t per!"n deep'%* +nd ne2er penetr+ted th"r"&h'%

int" their e!!en$e* h"w +re %" &"in& t"re$"&ni7e theC

The 'e!!"n t" -e 'e+rned #r" thi! i! th+t we

!t !ee "ne +n"ther 2er% we'' indeed. 8e !t

p+!! -e%"nd the &""d +nd -+d ?

It h+! n" !h+pe* !+id the phi'"!"pher. It i!

inde!$ri-+-'e.

I# it i! inde!$ri-+-'e* then h"w $+n %" '"",

#"r itC the the"'"&i+n de+nded.

A'' I ,n"w* +n!wered the phi'"!"pher* i!th+t when he+'th +rri2e! I &r"w in !tren&th. I

-e$"e p'p* #re!h +nd +'i2e.Fr" i''ne!! we 'e+rn "# he+'th* !+id the the"'"&i+n.

Fr" wh+t i! de!$ri-+-'e we 'e+rn "#


37/179

wh+t i! inde!$ri-+-'e. N"w +-+nd"n %"r d"-tin&

w+%! +nd I wi'' retrn %" t" %"r 2it+' !e'#.

Th"&h !pirit+' trth i! in!$rt+-'e* !ti'' we+'' -ene#it #r" it thr"&h the e-"dient "#

#"r. J!t +! %" !ee the $h+n&e! -r"&ht -% the

!t+r!* ""n +nd !n trnin& in the !,%* the r+in

#r" $'"d! in de !e+!"n* !er +nd winter*

+nd +'' the tr+n!#"r+ti"n! "# tie. Y" !ee +''

the!e thin&! h+ppen* +nd ,n"w th+t it i! ri&ht +ndin +$$"rd+n$e with wi!d". Bt h"w d"e! th+t

di!t+nt $'"d ,n"w it i! ne$e!!+r% t" r+in +t it!+pp"inted tieC Or h"w d"e! thi! e+rth* when it

re$ei2e! + !eed* ,n"w t" retrn it ten#"'dC 8e''*

S"e"ne d"e! thi!. Beh"'d th+t S"e"ne thr"&h

the e-"dient "# thi! w"r'd* +nd #ind n"ri!hent.

J!t +! %" !e the -"d% "# +n"ther per!"n

t" $"nt+$t their e!!en$e* !e the e-"dient "#

thi! w"r'd t" t"$h Th+t re+'it%.

8hen the r"phet w+! tr+n!p"rted "t "# hi!e'#

+nd !p",e* he !ed t" !+%* G"d !+%!. N"w*

#r" the !t+ndp"int "# e-"dient* it w+! hi!

t"n&e th+t !p",eK -t he w+!n:t there +t +''. Th+t!pe+,er w+! &re+ter th+n he w+!. M"h+ed*

,n"win& hi!e'# t" -e i&n"r+nt +nd with"t

,n"w'ed&e "# !$h w"rd!* when he he+rd the wi!d"

$"in& thr"&h hi! "wn 'ip!* he re+'i7ed th+t

he w+! n" '"n&er wh+t he h+d -een. S"ethin&

&re+ter "2ed hi. He rep"rted !t"rie! +-"t

p+!t pe"p'e +nd pr"phet! wh" 'i2ed th"!+nd! "#%e+r! -e#"re* +nd he t"'d wh+t w"'d $"e t"

p+!! e2en t" the end "# the w"r'd. Hi! -ein& w+!

-t + thin& "# %e+r!. A "rt+' -ein& !re'% $+n:t

de!$ri-e !$h thin&!. H"w $+n + $re+tre -"rn in

tie &i2e in#"r+ti"n +-"t the etern+'C And !" it

-e$+e ,n"wn th+t it w+! n"t he wh" w+! !pe+,in&.G"d w+! !pe+,in&.

G"d i! wh"''% #ree "# #"r +nd w"rd!. It!!pee$h i! -e%"nd 'etter! +nd 2"i$e. Yet* It de'i2er!

It! e!!+&e -% +n% 'etter! +nd 2"i$e +nd t"n&e It

de!ire!.

;4 V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V >

e"p'e h+2e $+r2ed the #i&re! "# en* w"en

+nd -ird! "# !t"ne +'"n& the -+n,! "# p""'! "n the

hi&hw+%! +nd in the $+r+2+n!+rie!* +nd thr"&h

the "th! "# th"!e !t+te! w+ter p"r! int" the

p""'. An%"ne with +n% !en!e ,n"w! th+t thi!

w+ter d"e! n"t -e&in in the "th "# + !t"ne -ird*it $"e! #r" !"e "ther !"r$e.

I# %" w+nt t" &et t" ,n"w pe"p'e* en&+&e

the in !pee$h. B% their w"rd! %" wi'' ,n"w

the. I# the% +re ip"!ter!* e2en i# !"e"ne t"'d

the th+t pe"p'e $+n -e re$"&ni7ed -% their

w"rd! +nd the% w+t$h their w"rd! $+re#''% t"

+2"id -ein& $+&ht* !ti''* in the end %" wi'' $"et" nder!t+nd wh" the% +re.

Thi! i! i''!tr+ted -% the !t"r% "# the $hi'd +nd

her "ther. A $hi'd in the de!ert !+id t" her "ther*


38/179

On d+r, ni&ht! + h"rri-'e de"n +ppe+r! t"

e* +nd I + terri-'% +#r+id.

D"n:t -e +#r+id* !+id her "ther. The ne1ttie %" !ee th+t #"r* +tt+$, it -r+2e'%. Then

%" !ee $'e+r'% th+t it i! n"thin& -t + #+nt+!%.

Bt "ther* !+id the $hi'd* wh+t i# the h"rri-'e

de"n:! "ther h+! &i2en hi !ii'+r

+d2i$eC 8h+t !h+'' I d" i# !he h+! t+&ht hi* !+%in&*

D"n:t &i2e in* !" !he wi'' thin, %" +re re+'+nd p"wer#'. And d"n:t !+% + w"rd* !" th+t %"

w"n:t -e e1p"!edC: H"w !h+'' I re$"&ni7e hithenC

eep !i'ent* %ie'd t" hi! #"r +! it i!* +nd w+it

with p+tien$e* her "ther +n!wered. S""ner "r

'+ter !"e w"rd wi'' 'e+p #r" hi! "th. Or i# it

d"e! n"t* #r" %"r "wn he+rt !"e w"rd! wi''

!prin& #"rth n$"n!$i"!'%* "r int" %"r ind

!"e th"&ht! "r ide+! wi'' !prin& p* !" th+t "t

"# th"!e th"&ht! %" wi'' ,n"w hi #"r wh+t he

i!. F"r thi! i! h"w he h+! +##e$ted %". Thi! i! +

re#'e$ti"n "# hi! tre !e'# +nd hi! re+' #ee'in&! th+t

h+2e !prn& p in!ide "# %".Shei,h S+r9r+7i w+! !e+ted "ne d+% +"n&!t hi!

di!$ip'e!. One "# the di!$ip'e! h+d + '"n&in& #"r

!"e r"+!ted !heep:! he+d. The Shei,h $+''ed t"

hi! !er2+nt* !+%in&* Brin& hi !"e r"+!ted

!heep:! he+d.

H"w did %" ,n"w th+t he w+nted r"+!ted

!heep:! he+dC the di!$ip'e! +!,ed.Be$+!e it i! n"w thirt% %e+r! !in$e !$h

de!ire! h+2e #i''ed e* the Shei,h +n!wered. I

h+2e $'e+n!ed +nd pri#ied %!e'# "# +'' de!ire!

+nd h+2e -e$"e $'e+r +! + p"'i!hed irr"r. 8hen

;( V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V >>the th"&ht "# r"+!ted !heep:! he+d entered %

ind* whetted % +ppetite +nd -e$+e + de!ire* I,new it -e'"n&ed t" "r #riend. F"r + irr"r

!h"w! n" i+&e "# it!e'#. An% i+&e it re#'e$t! i!

the i+&e "# +n"ther.

A w"rth% +n "n$e !ht hi!e'# in + $+2e #"r

#"rt% d+%! di!$ip'ine* !ee,in& !pirit+' en'i&htenent.

A 2"i$e $+e t" hi* !+%in&* S$h + '"#t%

&"+' wi'' ne2er -e +tt+ined -% #"rt% d+%! di!$ip'ine.

A-+nd"n %"r $+2e !" the '"2e "# + &re+t

!+int +% re+$h %" +nd %"r &"+' $+n -e re+'i7ed.

8here !h+'' I #ind th+t &re+t "neC the +n

+!,ed.In the $"n&re&+ti"n+' "!


39/179

The +n +$ted +$$"rdin&'%. He #i''ed + pit$her

with w+ter +nd went +r"nd the $"n&re&+ti"n in

the "!


40/179

) V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

Ri !+id3 The !+%in&* He+rt! -e+r witne!! t""ne +n"ther* re#er! t" + hidden re+'it%. I# +'' re+'it%

were "pen'% re2e+'ed* wh+t need w"'d there-e #"r w"rd!C Sii'+r'%* when the he+rt -e+r! witne!!*

wh+t need i! there #"r the te!ti"n% "# the

t"n&eC

The Air !+id3 0ert+in'% the he+rt -e+r! witne!!.

Bt the he+rt p'+%! "ne p+rt -% it!e'#* the e+r+n"ther* the e%e +n"ther* the t"n&e +n"ther.

There i! need #"r e+$h "ne* !" th+t the wh"'e $+n

-e re+'i7ed.Ri !+id3 I# the he+rt i! t"t+''% +-!"r-ed* then

+'' the "ther !en!e! +re "-'iter+ted in it* +nd there

i! n" need #"r the t"n&e. T+,e the $+!e "# L+i'+3

She w+! n"t + !pirit+' -ein&* -t "# #'e!h* #+!hi"ned

"# w+ter +nd $'+%. Yet p+!!i"n #"r her pr"d$ed

!$h +-!"rpti"n* +nd !" tter'% !ei7ed +nd

"2erwhe'ed M+;nn* th+t he h+d n" need t" !ee

L+i'+ with hi! e%e!* n" need t" he+r her 2"i$e. He

discourse11$"'d n"t !ep+r+te hi!e'# #r" the th"&ht "#

her* $+!in& hi t" $r%30our na#e is upon #y ton!ue.

0our i#a!e is in #y si!ht.

0our #e#ory in #y heart,

here &an I send these ords I rite7

The ph%!i$+' h+! !$h p"wer th+t p+!!i"n $+n

-rin& ! int" + !t+te where we +re ne2er +p+rt

#r" "r -e'"2ed. A'' "r !en!e! +re +-!"r-ed3

!i&ht* he+rin&* !e'' +nd the re!t. N" !en!e !ee,!

+ !ep+r+te 2iew* +'' -ein& nited. I# e+$h !en!e

p'+%! it! p+rt in #''* +'' +re ier!ed in "ne e1perien$e+nd de!ire n"thin& e'!e. See,in& #"r + !ep+r+te

2iew pr"2e! th+t "ne !en!e h+! n"t #"nd it!

tre* wh"'e +''"tent. It i! en;"%in& +n in$"p'ete

p"rti"n +nd there#"re i! n"t ier!ed* n"r

#'#i''ed. Then the "ther !en!e! -e&in !ee,in& their

"wn p+rt* +nd +'' -e$"e di2ided.

Fr" the 2iewp"int "# re+'it%* +'' the !en!e! !ee

"ne thin&* -t #r" the !t+ndp"int "# "tw+rd#"r the% +re e+$h di##erent #r" the "ther. 8hen

"ne !en!e i! "2ed t" +-!"rpti"n* +'' the !en!e!-e$"e +-!"r-ed in it. 8hen + #'% #'ie! pw+rd it

"2e! it! win&!* it! he+d +nd it! wh"'e -"d% !ep9

)2 V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V ?

+r+te'%K -t when it i! ier!ed in h"ne%* then +''

it! p+rt! +re +'i,en"ne $+n "2e +t +''.

A-!"rpti"n i! !$h th+t wh"e2er enter! it i! n"

'"n&er there. The% +,e n" "re e##"rt!* the%$e+!e t" +$t +nd "2e. The% +re ier!ed in the

w+ter. N" +$ti"n i! their +$ti"nK it i! the +$ti"n "#

the w+ter. Bt i# the% #'+i' +-"t in the w+ter with

their h+nd! +nd #eet* the% +re n"t tr'% !-er&ed.


41/179

I# the% tter + $r%* I + dr"wnin&* thi!

t"" i! n"t +-!"rpti"n.

T+,e the #+"! tter+n$e* I + G"d. S"epe"p'e thin, thi! i! + &re+t preten!i"n* -t I +

G"d i! in #+$t + &re+t hi'it%. Th"!e wh" !+%*

in!te+d* I + + !er2+nt "# G"d -e'ie2e th+t tw"

e1i!t* the!e'2e! +nd G"d. Bt th"!e wh" !+%* I

+ G"d h+2e -e$"e n"thin& +nd h+2e $+!t

the!e'2e! t" the wind!. The% !+%* I + G"de+nin&* I + n"t* G"d i! +''. There i! n" e1i!ten$e

-t G"d. I h+2e '"!t +'' !ep+r+ti"n. I +n"thin&. In thi! the hi'it% i! &re+ter.

Thi! i! wh+t "rdin+r% pe"p'e d"n:t nder!t+nd.

8hen the% render !er2i$e in h"n"r "# G"d:! &'"r%*

their !er2+nth""d i! !ti'' pre!ent. E2en th"&h it i!

#"r the !+,e "# G"d* the% !ti'' !ee the!e'2e! +nd

their "wn +$ti"n! +! we'' +! G"dthe% +re n"t

dr"wned in the w+ter. Th+t per!"n i! dr"wned

when n" "2eent* n"r +n% +$ti"n -e'"n&! t"

the* +'' their "2eent! !prin& #r" the "2eent

"# the w+ter.

A 'i"n w+! $h+!in& + deer* +nd the deer w+!#'eein&. There were tw" -ein&! e2ident3 the 'i"n

+nd the deer. Bt when the 'i"n $+&ht p with

the deer* +nd the deer w+! "2erp"wered -ene+th

the 'i"n:! $'t$h* +nd "t "# terr"r -e$+e n$"n!$i"!

+nd !en!e'e!!* $"''+p!in& -e#"re the 'i"n in

th+t "ent "n'% the 'i"n re+ined. The deer

w+! e##+$ed +nd n" '"n&er e1i!ted.Tre +-!"rpti"n i! when G"d $re+te! in !+int!

+ #e+r. Thi! i! n"t the #e+r "# en +nd w"en wh"

+re !$+red "# 'i"n!* 'e"p+rd! +nd de+th. R+ther* it

i! the #e+r "# !ep+r+ti"n. Thi! #e+r i! + &i#t #r"

G"d* ;!t +! !e$rit%* p'e+!re +nd ;"%* e+tin& +nd

!'eepin&+'' the!e +re &i#t! #r" G"d.G"d !h"w! the !+int!* whi'e the% +re #''% $"n!$i"!*

#"r! th+t "n'% the% $+n !ee. The inner#"r "# the 'i"n* 'e"p+rd* +nd #ire -e$"e 2i!i-'e

!" the% wi'' ,n"w th+t re+'it% i! n"t "# thi! w"r'd*

)4 V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V

-t "# the w"r'd n!een* pr";e$ted #"rth t" the.

In the !+e w+%* the% +re !h"wn their "wn Se'# in

+&ni#i$ent #"r. Li,ewi!e* &+rden! +nd ri2er!*

+id! "# +r+di!e +nd p+'+$e!* +'' t%pe! "# #""d

+nd drin,* r"-e! "# h"n"r* #'eet !teed!* $itie!* $+!t'e!

+nd e2er% ,ind "# +r2e'the% ,n"w the!e

+re n"t "# thi! w"r'd. G"d !h"w! +nd re2e+'!the!e !e$ret! -e#"re their e%e!. Th! the% $"e t"

,n"w with $ert+int% th+t #e+r "# !ep+r+ti"n $"e!

#r" G"d* +! d" !e$rit%* $"#"rt +nd +'' !pirit+'

di!p'+%!.

N"w thi! #e+r "# !ep+r+ti"n d"e! n"t re!e-'e

the #e+r! th+t "!t en +nd w"en ,n"w*

-e$+!e it i! + re!'t "# re2e'+ti"n +nd e1perien$e.G"d $'e+r'% !h"w! the !+int th+t +'' thin&! -e'"n&

t" G"d. The phi'"!"pher! +% ,n"w thi!* -t

the% ,n"w it -% inte''e$t+' pr""#* +nd pr""# i!


42/179

n"t per+nent. The p'e+!re th+t $"e! #r"

pr""# wi'' n"t '+!t. 8hen the e"r% "# the pr""#

p+!!e!* it! w+rth +nd thri'' p+!! +w+% +! we''.Th!* we ,n"w -% pr""# th+t thi! h"!e h+d +

-i'der. 8e ,n"w -% pr""# th+t thi! -i'der h+d

e%e! +nd w+! n"t -'ind* h+d p"wer +nd w+! n"t

p"wer'e!!* w+! 'i2in& +nd n"t de+d* +nd e1i!ted

-e#"re the h"!e w+! -i't. A'' the!e #+$t! we

,n"w* -t we ,n"w the -% pr""#. S$h pr""# i!n"t per+nent* +nd i! !""n #"r&"tten. L"2er! "#

G"d* h"we2er* -ein& +-!"r-ed in G"d* h+2e $"et" ,n"w the Bi'der +nd h+2e !een with the e%e "#

,n"win&ne!!. The% h+2e e+ten -re+d +nd !+'t

t"&ether* +nd in&'ed the tw". The Bi'der i!

ne2er +-!ent #r" their he+rt +nd their &+7e. Men

+nd w"en !$h +! thi! p+!! +w+% in G"d. 8ith

the* !in i! n"t !in* +nd $rie i! n"t $rie* !in$e

the% +re +-!"r-ed.

A $ert+in ,in& "rdered hi! !'+2e!* e2er% "ne* t"

t+,e in their h+nd + &"'den $p t" &reet + &e!t.

Hi! #+2"rite !'+2e w+! +'!" $"+nded t" t+,e +

$p. 8hen the ,in& !h"wed hi! #+$e* th+t !pe$i+'!'+2e* "n -eh"'din& the ,in&* '"!t $"ntr"' "# hi!e'#

+nd w+! "2erwhe'ed. The $p #e'' #r" hi!

h+nd +nd w+! !h+ttered. 8hen the "ther !'+2e!

!+w thi! the% !+id* erh+p! we !h"'d d" thi! +!

we''* +nd the% $+!t d"wn their $p! de'i-er+te'%.

8h% did %" d" th+tC the ,in& !$"'ded

the.

)( V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V >

He w+! %"r #+2"rite* +nd th+t w+! wh+t he

did* the% rep'ied.

F""'! the ,in& $ried "t. He didn:t d" th+t.

I did it.T" "tw+rd e%e!* +'' "# the !'+2e! were !in#'.

Bt th+t "ne +$t w+! the 2er% +$e "# "-edien$e.Indeed* it tr+n!$ended "-edien$e +nd !in. O# the

+''* the tre '"2er w+! th+t "ne !'+2e. The "ther!

were -t #"''"wer! "# the ,in&. Th!* the% #"''"wed

th+t !'+2e* !in$e he h+d -e$"e the e!!en$e

"# the ,in&* "n'% "tw+rd'% we+rin& the #"r "#

!'+2er%. He w+! #i''ed with the -e+t% "# the ,in&.

G"d de$'+re!* I# it weren:t #"r %"* I w"'d

ne2er h+2e $re+ted the he+2en!. Thi! i! the !+e

+! I + G"d. It e+n!* I $re+ted the he+2en!

#"r I '"2e %" +! M%!e'#. Thi! i! I + G"d in

+n"ther '+n&+&e +nd +n"ther t"n&e.Th"&h the w"rd! "# the &re+t !+int! +ppe+r in

+ hndred di##erent #"r!* !in$e G"d i! "ne +nd

the 8+% i! "ne* h"w $+n their w"rd! -e di##erentC

Th"&h their te+$hin&! +ppe+r t" $"ntr+di$t* their

e+nin& i! "ne. Sep+r+ti"n e1i!t! in their "tw+rd

#"r "n'%K in inner prp"!e the% +'' +&ree.

A prin$e "rder! + tent t" -e !tit$hed. One per!"ntwi!t! the r"pe* +n"ther !tri,e! the pe&!*

+n"ther we+2e! the $'"th* +n"ther !tit$he!* +n"ther

rend!* +n"ther !e! + need'e. Th"&h t" "tw+rd


43/179

+ppe+r+n$e the% +re di2er!e +nd di##erent* in

inner prp"!e the% +re nited +nd per#"rin& +

!in&'e t+!,.S" it i! with the +##+ir! "# thi! w"r'd. 8hen %"

'"", +t it $+re#''%* +'' +re d"in& G"d:! !er2i$eK

repr"-+te +nd ri&hte"!* !inner +nd di!$ip'e* de2i'

+nd +n&e'. F"r e1+p'e* the ,in& w+nt! t" te!t

+nd tr% hi! !'+2e! !" the !te+d#+!t $+n -e !"rted

#r" the we+,9he+rted* the '"%+' #r" the tr+it"r*the #+ith#' #r" the #+,e. I# he did n"t h+2e

tepter! +nd pr"2",er!* h"w $"'d he te!t hi!!'+2e!: '"%+'t%C S"* the tepter! +nd pr"2",er!

+re !er2in& the ,in&* !in$e it i! -% the ,in&:! wi''

th+t the% +$t. He !end! + wind t" !h"w the di##eren$e

-etween the !t+-'e +nd the n!t+-'e* t" !ep+r+te

the &n+t #r" the !p+rr"w9h+w,* !" the

&n+t wi'' 2+ni!h +nd the !p+rr"w9h+w, re+in.

A $ert+in ,in& "rdered + !'+2e&ir' t" +d"rn her!e'#

+nd "##er her!e'# t" hi! !'+2e!* !" their '"%+'t%

$"'d -e re2e+'ed. Th"&h the &ir':! +$ti"n

)) V DIS0OURSES OF RUMI

FIHI MA FIHI V +ppe+r! !in#' "tw+rd'%* in re+'it% !he i! d"in&

the ,in&:! w"r,.

The &re+t !+int! h+2e !een #"r the!e'2e!* n"t

-% pr""# +nd r"te* -t #+$e t" #+$e +nd n2ei'ed*

th+t +'' pe"p'e&""d "r e2i'+re "-edient !er2+nt!

"# G"d. N"thin& e1i!t! th+t d"e! n"t pr"$'+i

G"d:! pr+i!e. There#"re* t" the !+int!* thi!w"r'd it!e'# i! the re!rre$ti"n* !in$e the re!rre$ti"n

e+n! +'' pe"p'e !er2in& G"d +nd d"in& n"

"ther w"r, -t G"d:! w"r,. The!e !+int! per$ei2e

thi! trth e2en here -e'"w* #"r e2en were the 2ei'

re"2ed the% w"'d n"t in$re+!e in their $ert+int%.

A'' +% -e !er2+nt!* -t !"e h+2e -een r+i!ed+-"2e "ther! in their $'"!ene!! t" G"d. T" th"!e

wh" +re +-!"r-ed* +'' di##eren$e! +re '"!t. T"th"!e wh" h+2e n"t %et +rri2ed* +n% !t+&e!

+ppe+r -etween "ne +nd +n"ther.

Let e $ite + p+r+''e'. A &+rdener p'+nted +

tree* +nd the tree -"re #rit. Sre'%* thi! tree th+t

-"re #rit i! -etter th+n + hndred tree! th+t +re

-+rren. It i! p"!!i-'e th"!e "ther tree! +% ne2er

-e+r +t +''* !in$e there +re +n% !t+&e! "# &r"wth

where di!e+!e i&ht +tt+$,. A pi'&ri wh" re+$he!

the ++-+ i! -etter th+n the pi'&ri wh" i! !ti''

tr+2e''in& in the de!ert. The "ne in the de!ert #e+r!

the% +% n"t p+!! the +n% '+nd+r,! +nd re+$hthe ++-+* whi'e the #"rer h+! +'re+d% re+$hed

their de!tin+ti"n. One $ert+int% i! -etter th+n +

hndred d"-t!.

The Air !+id3 Th"!e wh" h+2e n"t +rri2ed

!ti'' h+2e h"pe.

Ri +n!wered3 8h+t i! the h"pe#' per!"n

$"p+red t" "ne wh" h+! +rri2edC There i! + 2+!tdi##eren$e -etween #e+r +nd +tt+inent. 8h%

!h"'d I !pe+, "# !$h + di##eren$e when it i!

"-2i"! t" +''C 8h+t I + !pe+,in& +-"t i!


44/179

+tt+inent* !in$e there +re +n% di##eren$e!

-etween the !t+ti"n! "# +tt+inent.

It i! p"!!i-'e t" indi$+te the 2+ri"! !t+&e! "##e+r +nd the !t+ti"n! "# #e+r* -t the !t+ti"n! "#

+tt+inent h+2e n" indi$+ti"n. In the w"r'd "#

#e+r e2er%"ne de$ide! wh+t the% wi'' de2"te t"

h"n"r G"d. One per!"n &i2e! thr"&h ph%!i$+'

e##"rt!* +n"ther d"n+te! their we+'th* +n"ther

!+$ri#i$e! their 'i#e. One w"r!hip! with #+!tin&*+n"ther with pr+%er* +n"ther -% ten pr"!tr+ti"n!*

+n"ther -% + hndred. The!e !t+&e! +re 2er% di#9


45/179

O h+n* #"r the% +re M% +-"de +nd dwe''in&

p'+$e.


46/179

the% were n"t re2e+'ed thr"&h !t"ne! +nd dirt.

8hen the% !+% th+t + r+2en t+&ht pe"p'e t" -r%

the de+d* e2en th+t w+! de t" the re#'e$ti"n "# +h+n -ein&. S"e"ne:! "wn inner r&e dr"2e

the t" 'e+rn th+t. A#ter +''* the in!tin$t! "# the

-ird +re -t + p+rt "# h+nit%* -t + p+rt d"e!

n"t $"+nd the wh"'e.

A#ter the Air 'e#t* !"e"ne !+id3 8hen the

Air $"e!* the M+!ter tter! i&ht% w"rd!. Thew"rd! ne2er !t"p* -e$+!e he i! + +!ter "#

w"rd!. 8"rd! #'"w #r" hi with"t interrpti"n.Ri !+id3 I# in winter tie the tree! d" n"t

pt #"rth 'e+2e! +nd #rit* pe"p'e !h"'d n"t thin,

the% +re n"t w"r,in&. The% +re $"ntin+''% +t

w"r,. 8inter i! the !e+!"n "# &+therin&K !er

i! the !e+!"n "# !pendin&. E2er%"ne !ee! the

!pendin&* -t the% d" n"t !ee the &+therin& in. In

the !+e w+%* + per!"n &i2e! + p+rt% +nd !pend!

+'' !"rt! "# "ne% "n it. E2er%"ne !ee! thi!* -t n"

"ne !ee! the &+therin& in +nd $"''e$tin& 'itt'e -%

'itt'e #"r the !+,e "# th+t entert+inent. N" "ne

!ee! +n% "# th+t. Yet the in&+therin& i! the r""t "#the +tter* #"r the !pendin& $"e! "t "# th+t

in$"e.

8h"e2er we +re in ni!"n with* we $"ni$+te

with the e2er% "ent* e2en in !i'en$e* in

+-!en$e +nd pre!en$e +'i,e. E2en in -+tt'e with

"ther!* we +re t"&ether. 8e +% !tri,e +&+in!t

"ther! with "r #i!t!K !ti''* we +re !pe+,in& t" the+nd +re +-!"r-ed in "ne +$ti"n with the.

There#"re we +re in ni!"n. D"n:t -e$"e di!tr+$ted

-% the #i!t!in th"!e #i!t! +re !pirit+'

&i#t!. Y" d"n:t -e'ie2e thi!C Then "pen th"!e

#i!t!* +nd !ee the di##eren$e -etween the !weet ;"%

"# ni!"n* +nd pe+r'! "# &re+t pri$e.M+n% pe"p'e !pe+, #ine* &r+$e#' !+%in&! +nd

'"#t% wi!d" in 2er!e +nd pr"!e. The in$'in+ti"n"# the Air t"w+rd! ! i! n"t "n +$$"nt "# '"#t%

wi!d"* &r+$e#' !+%in&! +nd !er"ni7in&.

Thin&! "# th+t ,ind +re t" -e #"nd e2er%where*

+nd +re -% n" e+n! in !h"rt !pp'%. Hi! '"2in&

e +nd hi! in$'in+ti"n t"w+rd! e i! n"t #"r th"!e

thin&!. He !ee! !"ethin& e'!e. He !ee! + 'i&ht

tr+n!$endin& wh+t he #ind! #r" "ther!.

It i! re'+ted th+t + $ert+in ,in& !"ned

M+;nn -e#"re hi.8h+t h+! h+ppened t" %". 8h+t h+! -e#+''en

%"C the ,in& in


47/179

8e'' n"w* 'i#t p %"r he+d +nd '"", the

,in& $"+nded.

I + +#r+id* M+;nn rep'ied. M% '"2e #"rL+i'+ i! + dr+wn !w"rd. I# I r+i!e % he+d* th+t

-'+de wi'' !tri,e it "##.

M+;nn h+d -e$"e ier!ed in hi! '"2e #"r

L+i'+. Yet* the "ther &ir'! +'!" h+d e%e! +nd 'ip!

+nd h+ir. 8h+t then h+d he #"nd in L+i'+ t"

$"e t" !$h + !t+teCA#ter the Air +rri2ed* Ri !+id3 I:2e -een '"n&in&

t" $+'' "n %". Bt* ,n"win& %" were -!%with the intere!t! "# the pe"p'e* I !p+red %" the

tr"-'e.

The Air +n!wered3 Thi! dt% h+! -een

pre!!in& p"n e. N"w th+t the eer&en$% h+!

ended* #r" n"w "n I wi'' w+it p"n %".

Ri !+id3 There i! n" di##eren$e. It i! +'' the

!+e thin&. Y" +re !" &r+$i"! th+t +'' thin&! +re

the !+e t" %". Sin$e t"d+% it i! %" wh" +re

"$$pied with &""d deed! +nd $h+ritie!* n+tr+''%

I + +-'e t" $+'' "n %".

J!t n"w !"e "# ! were di!$!!in& thi!


48/179

"ne wh" i! in the ri&ht.

M"h+ed:! he+rt +$hed #"r hi! pri!"ner!. T"

$"#"rt the r"phet* G"d !ent d"wn + re2e'+ti"n!+%in&3 O r"phet* !+% t" the pri!"ner! in %"r

h+nd!* I# %" trn t" trth +nd the ri&hte"!

w+%* G"d wi'' de'i2er %" "t "# -"nd+&e. He wi''

re!t"re e2er%thin& %" h+2e '"!t* +nd $h "re*

in$'din& tre+!re! in the w"r'd t" $"e.

The Air +!,ed3 8hen + !er2+nt "# G"d per#"r!+ !er2i$e* d"e! the &r+$e +nd &""d +ri!e

#r" th+t +$ti"n* "r i! it the &i#t "# G"dCRi +n!wered3 It i! the &i#t "# G"d +nd the

&r+$e "# G"d. Yet G"d* "t "# It! e1$eedin& '"2e

&i2e! $redit #"r -"th the +$ti"n +nd the &r+$e t"

the !er2+nt* de$'+rin&* B"th +re %"r!.

The Air !+id3 Sin$e G"d h+! !$h '"2e* then

e2er%"ne wh" !ee,! in trth !h+'' #ind.

Ri !+id3 Bt with"t + &ide thi! d"e! n"t

$"e t" p+!!. S"* when the I!r+e'ite! were "-edient

t" M"!e!* w+%! were "pened p t" the e2en

thr"&h the !e+. Bt when the% were di!"-edient*

the% re+ined in the wi'derne!! #"r +n% %e+r!.The 'e+der! "# + &i2en tie +re $h+r&ed t" !e$re

the we'#+re "# th"!e wh" +re -"nd t" the +nd


FIHI MA FIHI V =6=

+re !tri$t'% "-edient. F"r in!t+n$e* i# + &r"p "#

!"'dier! #"''"w the "rder! "# their $"+nder* he

t"" $+re! #"r their we'#+re +nd i! dt% -"nd t"w"r, +t !e$rin& it. Bt i# the% +re n"t "-edient*

h"w $+n he -e e1pe$ted t" '"", +#ter their intere!t!C

The ind i! the $"+nder "# the h+n

-"d%. S" '"n& +! the p+rt! "# the -"d% !rrender

t" it* +'' the -"d%:! +##+ir! pr"$eed per#e$t'%* -t

when the% di!"-e%* the wh"'e n+tr+' "rder-re+,! d"wn. H+2en:t %" !een when + +n i!

drn,* hi! h+nd! +nd #eet +nd t"n&e re#!e t""-e% hiC Then "n the #"''"win& d+%* when he i!

!"-er +&+in* he $rie!* 8h+t h+2e I d"neC 8h%

did I d" +nd !+% !$h h"rri-'e thin&!C

In the !+e w+%* + 2i''+&e w"r,! t"&ether in

per#e$t "rder "n'% when there i! + 'e+der th+t the

2i''+&er! #"''"w.

J!t +! the ind i! $"+nder in the id!t "#

the -"d%* !" +'' the di##erent -ein&! wh" +,e p

h+n,ind* t"&ether with their +n% ind!*

,n"w'ed&e* !pe$'+ti"n +nd 'e+rnin&* +re the

-"d% "# h+nit%* +nd the !+int i! the ind in theid!t "# the. N"w when the!e pe"p'e* wh" +re

the -"d%* d" n"t #"''"w th+t ind* their +##+ir! +''

#+'' int" $"n#!i"n +nd $"n#'i$t.

The% !t !rrender in !$h + #+!hi"n th+t n"

+tter wh+t the !+int d"e!* the% +$$ept it with"t

the +r&ent "# their "wn ind. F"r "#ten* with

their "wn ind* the% $+nn"t nder!t+nd the!+int:! +$ti"n!. There#"re* the% !t !-it t"

wh+te2er the !+int !+%!. Sii'+r'%* when + $hi'd i!

+pprenti$ed t" + t+i'"r the% !t "-e% wh+te2er


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the% +re t"'d t" d". I# the% +re &i2en + p+t$h t"

!ew* the% !t !ew it. I# the% +re &i2en + he* the%

!t !ew th+t he. I# the% wi!h t" 'e+rn theirtr+de* the% !t !rrender their "wn de!ire! $"p'ete'%

+nd -e$"e !-i!!i2e t" the t+i'"r:!

"rder!.*6he =i!ht of Poer is etter

6han a thousand #onths.-

G"d "##er! ! di2ine &id+n$e +nd $+re* whi$h+re !peri"r t" + hndred th"!+nd !tri2in&! +nd

!tr&&'e!. One t& #r" G"d i! -etter th+n the

e##"rt! "# +'' "r p"wer!. Th+t i! t" !+%* when

di2ine $+re inter2ene! it d"e! the w"r, "# + hndred

th"!+nd !tr&&'e! +nd "re. Str&&'in& i!


FIHI MA FIHI V =6?

#ine* +nd !e#'* -t wh+t i! it $"p+red t" G"d:!&id+n$e +nd $+reC

The Air +!,ed3 D"e! G"d:! $+re $re+te

!tr&&'e!C

Ri +n!wered3 8h% !h"'dn:t itC 8hen

di2ine $+re +rri2e!* !tr&&'in& -e&in!. Je!!wh+t+ !tr&&'e he +de Yet J"hn the B+pti!t re$"&ni7ed

th+t &i#t whi'e !ti'' in M+r%:! w"-. Gr+$e

$"e! #ir!t. Then i#* -% +$$ident* +w+rene!! enter!in* thi! i! the #rit "# G"d:! &r+$ethe pre &i#t "#

the L"rd. I# thi! were n"t tre* then h"w $"'d

Je!!: di!$ip'e! h+2e re$ei2ed !$h -'e!!in&!C

Gr+$e +nd !-i!!i"n +re 'i,e + !p+r, "# #ire

th+t 'e+p!. Fir!t we re$ei2e the &i#t. Bt i# %" +dd

$"tt"n +nd nr!e th+t !p+r, nti' it &r"w!* then

th+t i! !-i!!i"n. In the -e&innin& %"r !p+r, i!

!+'' +nd we+,. Bt "n$e %" h+2e nr!ed th+twe+,'in& #ire it !pre+d! +$r"!! the w"r'd +nd !et!

the ni2er!e +#'+e. The 'itt'e !p+r, -e$"e! +

&re+t +nd p"wer#' -'+7e.S"e"ne !+id t" the Air3 Or M+!ter '"2e!

%" 2er% $h.

Ri rep'ied3 Neither % $"in& n"r %

!pe+,in& i! +n indi$+ti"n "# % '"2e. I !+% wh+te2er

$"e! int" e. I# G"d wi''!* It +,e! the!e

#ew w"rd! pr"#it+-'e !" the% wi'' &r"w within

%"r he+rt* -rin&in& &re+t rew+rd!. I# G"d wi''!n"t* i# e2en + hndred th"!+nd w"rd! +re !p",en*

the% wi'' n"t '"d&e in the he+rt -t wi'' p+!!

-% +nd -e #"r&"tten. I# + !p+r, "# #ire '+nd! p"n

+ -rnt r+& +nd G"d wi''!* th+t "ne !p+r, wi''

t+,e +nd en&'# the r+&. I# G"d wi''! n"t* + hndred

!p+r,! wi'' #+'' "n th+t tinder +nd 'e+2e n"+r,.

The!e w"rd! +re G"d:! +r%. B% G"d:! +th"rit%the% "pen +nd !ei7e #"rtre!!e!. I# G"d $"+nd!

th"!+nd! "# h"r!een t" &" +nd !h"w

their #+$e! +t !$h +nd !$h + #"rtre!! -t n"t t"

$+ptre it* !" it wi'' -e. I# It $"+nd! + !in&'e

h"r!e+n t" !ei7e th+t #"rtre!!* th+t !+e !in&'e

h"r!e+n wi'' "pen the #"rtre!! &+te! +nd $+ptre

it.

G"d !ent + &n+t +&+in!t Nir"d +nd it


50/179

de!tr"%ed hi. E


51/179

FIHI MA FIHI V =6>

Thi! w"r'd i! + w"r'd "# winter. I!n:t the n+e!"'id &i2en t" in+ni+te thin&!C The!e !t"ne!

+nd "nt+in!* +nd the &+rent! w"rn -% thi!w"r'd* +re +'' !"'idi#ied. The inner e!!en$e "# thi!

w"r'd $+n -e ,n"wn -% it! e##e$t!3 it i! wind +nd

-itter $"'d. It i! 'i,e the winter !e+!"n when +''

thin&! +re #r"7en. 8h+t +nner "# winter i! itC A

winter "# the ind. 8hen th+t di2ine 7eph%r$"e! +'"n&* the!e "nt+in! wi'' -e&in t" e't*

+nd the !"'idit% "# thi! w"r'd wi'' di!!"'2e;!t

'i,e when the w+rth "# !er $"e! +'"n&* +''the !n"w +nd i$e trn t" w+ter. On the re!rre$ti"n

d+%* when th+t 7eph%r -'"w!* +'' thin&! wi''

e't +w+%.

G"d +,e! the!e w"rd! +n +r% t" !rr"nd

%" +nd pr"te$t %" +&+in!t the ene%* +nd t" -e

the e+n! "# "2erwhe'in& the ene%. F"r there

+re eneie!eneie! within +nd eneie! with"t.

Yet the% +re re+''% n"thin&wh+t $"'d the%-eC

D"n:t %" !ee h"w + th"!+nd &"d'e!! pe"p'e!-it the!e'2e! t" "ne 'e+der wh" -e$"e!

their r'er* +nd th+t r'er i! $+pti2e t" hi! "wn

th"&ht!C Fr" thi! it i! e+!% t" !ee the e##e$t "#

th"&ht!* !in$e thr"&h "ne #ee-'e +nd dd'ed

th"&ht th"!+nd! "# pe"p'e +nd w"r'd! +re

t+,en pri!"ner. 0"n!ider then* th"!e wh"!eth"&ht! +re with"t 'iit+ti"n!wh+t &r+nder

+nd !p'end"r the% p"!!e!!* h"w e+!i'% the% "2erwhe'the ene%* +nd wh+t w"r'd! the% !-de

8hen I !ee the 'iit'e!! wi!d" th+t e1i!t!*

whi'e +rie! nendin& !tret$h thr"&h w+!te

p"n w+!te* +'' pri!"ner! "# "ne per!"n* +nd th+t

per!"n the pri!"ner "# + $"ntepti-'e 'itt'eth"&htwhere d" the% +'' !t+nd $"p+red t"

th"&ht! "# p"wer#' depth!* in#inite 'i&ht* h"'%*

+nd !-'ieCThere#"re th"&ht! h+2e re+' e##e$t!. In thi!

ph%!i$+' w"r'd +'' 'i2in& thin&! ere'% #"''"w +nd

+$t +! in!trent! "# th"&ht. 8ith"t th"&ht

the% +re in+ni+te +nd !"'id. In the !+e w+%*

th"!e wh" nder!t+nd "n'% the "ter #"r +re

+'!" !"'id. The% $+nn"t penetr+te the e+nin&.

The% +re $hi'dren* !pirit+''%* +nd i+tre e2en

i# the% +re S#i !hei,h!* + hndred %e+r! "'d.*e have returned fro# the "esser ho"y ar

6o fi!ht the Greater Ho"y ar.-

8e +'' !ee the -+tt'e with "tw+rd thin&! +ndpe"p'e* +nd we dr+w p "r #"r$e! +&+in!t the!e


FIHI MA FIHI V =6#"r+' +d2er!+rie!. 8e !t +'!" dr+w p "r

#"r$e! +&+in!t the +rie! "# th"&ht!* !" th+t

de!ir+-'e th"&ht! wi'' de#e+t de!tr$ti2e

th"&ht! +nd dri2e the "t "# the ,in&d" "#

"r -"die!. Thi! then i! indeed the &re+ter !tr&&'e

+nd the &re+ter w+r.

Th"&ht! h+2e their e##e$t. The% w"r, -e%"nd


52/179

the in#'en$e "# the -"d% 'i,e the L+w! "# N+tre

with"t +n% in!trent ,eep the he+2en! trnin&.

There#"re phi'"!"pher! !+% th+t th"&ht! d"n:tre


53/179

!"e "ther !i&n "# h+-it+ti"n wi'' +ppe+r. H"w

$+n !$h + !tr+n&er -e $"p+red with th"!e wh"

,n"w the r"+d +nd tr+2e' +t e+!e* n"t needin& !i&n"r w+%+r,C The% h+2e their +!!i&ned t+!, $'e+r'%

-e#"re the. There#"re* ,n"win& e1$eed! +''

e'!e.

M"h+ed !+id* The ni&ht i! '"n&* d" n"t

!h"rten it with %"r !'eep. The d+% i! -ri&ht* d"

n"t d+r,en it with %"r !in!.The ni&ht i! '"n& #"r %" t" 2"i$e %"r in"!t

!e$ret! +nd +!, #"r %"r need! with"t the di!tr+$ti"n"# "ther!* with"t the di!tr-+n$e "#

#riend! +nd #"e!. Y" +re &r+

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