‘How come the touchstone was its main desire?’
It wants a touchstone, but another sort
That won’t expose its falseness and comes short.
Touchstones that hide such attributes from sight
Aren’t real for they lack mystic wisdom’s light.
The mirror that hides flaws on a man’s facē3855
For a mere cuckold’s sake here has no place;
It’s not a real one—it’s a hypocrite.
Don’t seek that mirror, but abandon it!
Explanatory Notes
Prose Introduction
[written in Arabic, numbered by page and line]
4:6 ‘God is the best protector … those who show mercy’ : Qur’an 12: 64, where it represents part of Jacob’s speech.
Text
[numbered by verse, or couplet]
7 who belongs to God—Now ‘God is for Him’ : from a saying of the Prophet Mohammad.
11 ‘Prostrate and draw near!’ : Qur’an 96: 19, in encouragement of those keen to get closer to God through worship.
18 Find this in the Qur’an now and recite : the next few verses allude to Qur’an 10: 5, which states that God created and arranged the light of the sun and the moon.
24 ‘A mercy to the worlds’ : Qur’an 21: 107, a verse usually understood to refer to the Prophet Mohammad.
33 The Nile was made of blood … Moses’s saved nation : a reference to the story about the parting of the waves.
71 Zayd : the Arabic equivalent of ‘Mr X’, a name used to represent a random individual.
109 ‘Kill me, O trusty friend!’ : this is a variant of part of a verse attributed to the Sufi poet Hallaj, who was executed in 922 ce .
119 gushing water : Qur’an 67: 30, where it is part of a question to deniers of God about the source for water.
133 Sarsar : the name given to the wind that destroyed the Aad (see Glossary ).
wind to Aad … For Hud : Hud is the Prophet who had been sent to the Aad (see Glossary ).
134 Simoom : a devastatingly strong desert wind.
185 ‘There’s no unevenness found in that space’ : Qur’an 20: 107, an eschatological verse that describes God’s razing of mountains and flattening of the earth at the end of time.
186 Heading chador : a one-piece veil worn by women to cover both body and most of the face.
Heading ‘The wiles of you women are tremendous’ : Qur’an 12: 28, as part of Zulaikha’s husband’s reaction to seeing that Joseph’s shirt had been torn from the back.
219 ‘Kaafoor’ can sometimes be a mere slave’s name : it was common in Rumi’s time to call African slaves by names of then precious items, such as ‘diamond’ or in this case ‘Kaafoor’, one of the Qur’anic (76: 5) springs in paradise from which the righteous drink.
226 ‘I always knew’, the sought one clarified : this is a resumption of the story about the lover whose love was not true, which carried over from Book Three to the start of Book Four.
261 Praying, ‘God’s strength!’ : an abbreviated version of the invocation ‘There is no strength or power except through God ’, which is recommended in many of the sayings of the Prophet Mohammad, especially when one is faced with extreme difficulties.
281 ‘The wicked women for the wicked men’ : Qur’an 24: 26, where it is asserted that the wicked are meant for each other just as the good are meant for each other.
284 ‘We see you as bad luck’ : Qur’an 36: 18, where it represents the reaction of unbelievers who reject prophets.
302 ‘His sweetheart said . . .’ : this is another resumption of the story about the lover whose love was not true, which originally carried over from Book Three to the start of Book Four.
328 ‘We’ve sinned, Lord’ : Qur’an 7: 23, the response of Adam and Eve to God after they are blamed for eating from the forbidden tree.
348 “We have done wrong!” : Qur’an 7:23, see note to v. 328 .
389 Heading ‘The Furthest Place of Worship in Jersualem’ : literally the furthest mosque, or place of prostration, but since it is set in the time of Solomon, ‘place of worship’, ‘worship house’, and variants are used. See ‘The Furthest Mosque/Place of Worship’ in the Glossary.
407 Heading ‘the Believers are brothers’ : Qur’an 49: 10, as part of a passage emphasizing the need for unity among Muslims.
Heading ‘We do not distinguish between any of them’ : Qur’an 3: 84, which stresses the unity between Prophets and their revelations.
445 ‘They’ll be brought to Our presence’ : Qur’an 36: 32, where it refers to the return of all people to God in the afterlife.
468 Mina-like perfection : Mina is the small settlement to the east of Mecca which pilgrims visit during the last stage of the Hajj pilgrimage and stay overnight in tents.
505 You’re drunk Bo ’l-Hasan : this name is used by Rumi on a number of occasions to refer to a random individual. It does not refer to Bo ’l-Hasan Kharaqani or any other specific individual here.
552 The way Mohammad smelt that scent from Yemen : this alludes to a saying of the Prophet Mohammad in which he refers to divine communication with Ovays al-Qarani, who became a follower of his in the Yemen without having ever met him.
607 Maghrebi a ‘Mashreqi’ … sunset sunrise-bright, you see : the name ‘Maghrebi’ is based on the Arabic word for place of sunset, while ‘Mashreqi’ is based on the Arabic word for place of sunrise.
612 He won’t see Prophets … the light : Qur’an 66: 8, where it is part of a description of the afterlife.
658 God turns earth silver for the Resurrection : this seems to allude to eschatological traditions that God will transform the earth to silver.
675 ‘Goodness—this youth is for me!’ : Qur’an 12: 19, where it represents the reaction of the traveller who draws Joseph up from the well where his brothers had hidden him.
724 God invites to peace : Qur’an 10: 25, where it is stated among a list of God’s bounties to creation.
743 Sama‘ is food … union’s ecstasies : see sama‘ in the Glossary.
764 ‘You did not throw when you just threw’ : Qur’an 8: 17, in a passage describing the Prophet Mohammad’s actions in battle as being in reality God’s actions. This is one of the most frequently cited Qur’anic verses in Sufi discussions of annihilation and subsistence in God.
766 ‘God’s strength!’ : see note to v. 261 .
781 ‘Guide my folk! They don’t understand’ : a prayer of the Prophet Mohammad, which he made after his teeth were broken by an enemy from among his own Qoraysh tribe.
787 And what mere birds did to that elephant : an allusion to the Qur’anic story (105: 3) in which God sends birds to throw down stones at a huge army attacking the Prophet Mohammad’s tribe and intent on destroying the Kaaba. This defeat of the army from South Arabia, which even boasted an elephant, is traditionally believed to have taken place shortly before Mohammad’s birth in the very same year, and thus serves as a sign that God provided help to pave the way for His Prophet’s future success.
825 That’s what accursed Satan did that day : a reference to the Qur’anic story (e.g. 2: 34) about Satan’s refusal to bow before Adam when commanded to do so by God.
851 Joseph’s scent, so inhale it and feel bliss : an allusion to Qur’an 12: 93–6, which describes the restoration of Jacob’s sight by the placing of his son Joseph’s shirt over his face as a sign (presumably through its smell) that he was still alive.
869 ‘There is no God but He’ : Qur’an 3: 18, as part of a theological statement.
873 ‘One ant said’ : Qur’an 27: 18, where Solomon perceives an ant tell others to go indoors in order not to be trampled by him and his army.
888 As Ayaz used his old cloak and old boots : a reference to a story about Ayaz, the celebrated favourite slave of Shah Mahmud, who kept hold of his old belongings to remind himself of his humble origins.
901 ‘has there come a time?’ : Qur’an 76: 1, the start of a chapter
of the Qur’an in the form of a question about whether Man has ever been not remembered.
960 Water rules out ablution using sand : according to Islamic law, Muslims may perform their ablutions using sand, but only when water is unavailable.
972 whose wings are green : a reference to angels in the Islamic tradition.
1036 Qoraysh : the name of the tribe into which the Prophet Mohammad was born in Mecca about 570. The leaders of the tribe rejected Mohammad and forced him out of Mecca, after which they waged war against him and his followers in Medina.
1046 Heading ‘If only my people would know!’ : Qur’an 36: 26, where it is uttered by a prophet in reference to his disbelieving community and the knowledge of the honour and pardon he had received from God.
1047 We’re telling a fine tale we’ve shared before : the same story is found in Book Two of the Masnavi , vv. 2362 ff.
1057 ‘The heart’s between two fingers’ : this alludes to a saying of the Prophet Mohammad about the hearts of all men being held ‘between two fingers of the Merciful God’.
1089 ‘God’s earth is vast’ : Qur’an 4: 97, where it is stated to make the point that there is plenty of room on earth for everybody.
1114 Heading the Furthest Worship House in Jerusalem : see note to v. 389 and ‘The Furthest Mosque/Place of Worship’ in the Glossary.
1120 ‘A cord of palms on her neck’ : Qur’an 111: 5, in reference to the wife of Abu Lahab (see ‘Bu Lahab’ in the Glossary).
1121 Upon their necks we’ve placed the cord : Qur’an 36: 8, in reference to people heedless of God’s message to whom He sends His Prophet.
1122 Whose neck is spared reports on what they’ve done : the original refers to birds on shoulders, an Islamic image for the retelling of one’s deeds in life on Judgement Day.
1139 Due to what Abraham did long before : a reference to the Muslim belief that Abraham and his son Ishmael built the Kaaba.
1170 ‘The meaning of “Allah” ’, Sebawayh said, ‘ … to him instead’ : a reference to the much celebrated grammarian Sebawayh, and the etymological discussion of the unusual word for ‘God’ in Arabic, ‘Allah’.
1179 Folded inside Your hands : Qur’an 39: 67, where it describes the heavens on the Day of Resurrection.
1182 ‘Through prayer and patience seek out help from me!’ : Qur’an 2: 153, where God instructs the believers.
1252 ‘Light upon light’ : Qur’an 24: 35, the famous ‘Light Verse’ of the Qur’an.
1270 Ahriman : demon and force of evil in Zoroastrianism.
1310 ‘The sight did not swerve’ : Qur’an 53: 17, where it is understood to refer to the Prophet Mohammad’s single-mindedness during his ascension.
1336 from east to furthest west : Qur’an 43: 38, where those blind to the remembrance of God express their wish to be as far as possible from the demon accompanying them.
1362 “Look!” : Qur’an 30: 50, where it is part of an instruction to witness the way God can revive the earth.
1390 ‘Lord, we’ve done wrong!’ : Qur’an 7: 23, the response of Adam and Eve to God after they are blamed for eating from the forbidden tree.
1394 ‘Since, Lord, You led me astray’ : Qur’an 7: 16, where it represents Satan’s response to God regarding his own misdeeds.
1419 dry ablution while streams are abundant : a reference to the fact that Islamic law permits dry ablution but only when water is unavailable. See also note to. v. 960.
1424 Like women cutting … Joseph’s face : a reference to Qur’an 12: 30–1, which describes Egyptian women cutting their own hands by mistake after being mesmerized by Joseph’s handsomeness.
1454 Heading ‘O you who wrap yourself in your garment’ : Qur’an 73: 1, which is usually interpreted as a reference to Mohammad while receiving his first revelations.
1457 Stay up at night : Qur’an 73: 2. See note to v. 1454 on the Qur’anic verse immediately preceding this one.
1467 “Keep silent!” : Qur’an 7: 204, where God commands that when the Qur’an is recited it should be listened to with concentration and by keeping silent.
1491 Heading A demonstration … is in the story which will be related : this is an instance when the story the heading promises is not actually related to it.
1523 cattle-like : Qur’an 7: 179, where the heedless among Mankind are compared with cattle.
1527 the lowest of the lows : Qur’an 95: 5, where it is part of a statement explaining that humans had been debased after originally being created in the highest form.
do not love the ones that set : Qur’an 6: 76, where it represents Abraham’s response to the idea that he might worship a star once he sees it set.
1528 Heading ‘As for those … their disgrace’ : Qur’an 9: 125, where it refers to those who respond negatively to hearing a chapter of the Qur’an rather than becoming followers.
Heading ‘He leads many astray … also guiding many by it’ : Qur’an 2: 26, where it refers to those who respond negatively to the use of similitudes in the Qur’an.
Since he had the potential … lost it in the end : this is an example of a heading interrupting a statement, since this verse is a continuation of verse 1529 and would not be correct without it.
1617–18 So you won’t be one-eyed like Satan … Adam’s body : this is a reference to the Qur’anic story about Satan’s refusal to bow down to Adam despite being commanded to do so by God (Qur’an 2: 30–6).
1642 For all the foals … to the others : this is an example of a heading interrupting a statement, since this verse is a continuation of verse 1641 and would not be correct without it.
1671 Heading ‘Moses sensed a fear … “Don’t feel … superior!” ’ : Qur’an 20: 67–8, in the story about Moses and the magicians at the point when Moses doubts he can meet the challenge.
1696 Bu Mosaylem : one of the false claimants to Prophethood among the contemporaries of the Prophet Mohammad. He is reviled in the Muslim tradition.
1705 Those ancient nations : a reference to the various ancient communities, such as the Aad (see Glossary ) which were destroyed by God for failing to heed the Prophets sent to them.
1710 Don’t be one-eyed like Satan, who was cursed : see note to vv. 1617–18.
1726 ‘You did not throw when you threw’ : Qur’an 8: 17, which is traditionally associated with the Prophet Mohammad’s action of throwing dust towards the enemy army before a battle which Muslims ended up winning against all odds.
1761 God’s earth be vast : Qur’an 4: 97. See note to v. 1089 .
1768 the spring that’s gushing : Qur’an 88: 12, where it is part of the description of the garden of paradise.
1781–2 The scripture says, ‘The Devil … world of the senses’ : this seem to be an allusion to Qur’an 7: 27, which describes the Devil and his friends being able to see humans without being seen by them.
1803 Heading How Abu Yazid predicted the birth of Abo ’l-Hasan Kharaqani : in Sufi lineage chains, Abu Yazid is the Master of Abo ’l-Hasan Kharaqani even though their lives never overlapped, since the former died before the latter was born. This provides the basis of this story about the prediction of Kharaqani’s birth. Such a connection beyond the grave is termed an ‘Ovaysi’ connection among Sufis, in reference to the story about Ovays al-Qarani’s resolve in distant Yemen to follow the Prophet Mohammad without having ever met him, a story which is also incorporated by Rumi here.
1816 Each moment … From Joseph reach your nose, so share one please : see note to v. 851 .
1829 Ramin’s scent travelled from the soul of Vays : ‘Vays and Ramin’, often known as ‘Vis and Ramin’, is a famous Persian love story. Rumi clearly vocalizes the first name as transcribed in the text, rather than as Vis.
The scent of God arrives now from Ovays : see note to v. 1803 , Heading.
1847 The shirt was kept in Egypt … Canaan’s lands : see note to v. 851 .
1852 The Tablet that’s preserved : see ‘Tablet’ in the Glossary.
1854�
��5 ‘heart inspiration’ … error-free : an allusion to the sacred tradition in which God says that only the human heart can contain Him.
1890–1 And Gabriel will … consumed right here : in the story about the Prophet Mohammad’s ascension, Gabriel expresses this sentiment, acknowledging his limitations as an angel in relation to the perfected human, Mohammad, who can rise as high as just ‘two bow’s length away from God’.
1983 Bo ’l-Hasan : see note to v. 505 . It does not refer to Bo ’l-Hasan Kharaqani here, nor the vizier in the previous story. Rather, it is the equivalent of ‘Joe Bloggs’.
2007 ‘Say, “Come!” ’ : Qur’an 6: 151, where God instructs Mohammad to summon his followers and instruct them about what is prohibited to them.
2012 God said, ‘Say, “Come!” Say, “Come!” ’ : see note to v. 2007 . Rumi repeats the Qur’anic citation here to fill the line.
2024 They’re ranked : Qur’an 37: 165, where it forms part of the angels’ self-description.
2026 ‘Come!’ : see note to v. 2007 .
2029 Say ‘Come!’ Say ‘Come!’ : Qur’an 6:151, see note to v. 2007 . Here Rumi appropriates God’s speech by himself commanding ‘Say!’
God invites to peace : Qur’an 10:25, see note to v. 724 .
2060 Just look at Ja‘far … wings : a reference to ‘Ja‘far the Flyer’, who was the brother of Ali, and the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin. He was martyred fighting bravely for the Prophet’s army, for which he was rewarded with the ability to fly in paradise.
2073 ‘Be silent!’ : Qur’an 7: 204, see note to v. 1467 .
2083 That king of ‘By the star’, ‘His favour’s’ ruler : the phrases in quotes are from Qur’an 53 and Qur’an 80 respectively, both of which are chapters traditionally understood to refer to the Prophet Mohammad. Hence, he is their ‘ruler’ or ‘king’.
2098 ‘Yes!’ : Qur’an 7: 172, the much-celebrated passage about the primordial covenant, where Mankind answers ‘Yes!’ to God’s question: ‘Am I not your Lord?’
2099 the seven sleepers … inside the cave : a reference to the story about the seven companions who, together with their dog, are described in the Qur’an (18: 9–26) as hiding in a cave during the reign of the Roman tyrant Decius, and praying to God for protection.
The Masnavi, Book Four Page 29