M1:240 — گر بدی خون مسلمان کامِ او / کافرم گر بُردَمی من نام او

Translation: Were the desire of his (the Divine Physician's) palate a Muslim's blood, I would be an infidel if I ever uttered his name. Meaning: This verse asserts that one must never praise the wicked. Rumi states that if the divine physician's intent (from the story) were evil, he would refuse even to mention his name.

This verse, in my view, is one of Rumi's most emphatic condemnations of praising the wicked and oppressors. It emerges from the narrative of the 'Divine Physician' in the Masnavi, a character who embodies divine wisdom. Rumi declares that if the true intent (kām) of such a physician – a symbol of divine providence – were to shed the blood of a Muslim, i.e., if his ultimate aim were evil and injustice rather than hidden wisdom, then Rumi would consider himself an infidel for merely uttering his name. This goes far beyond a conditional statement within a story; it lays down a fundamental ethical principle. Rumi further clarifies this stance elsewhere in the Masnavi, stating: "The Divine Throne trembles at the praise of the wicked / And the pious become suspicious from such praise." This underscores that extolling the impure is not merely futile but an act that shakes the very foundations of divine order and corrupts the hearts of the righteous. This severe censure applies not only to praising evil individuals but to any form of pretense or hypocrisy that prioritizes outward appearance over inner truth. One of the most dangerous poisons for the human soul, especially for rulers, is unwarranted flattery from those around them. Rumi illustrates this vividly with the example of Pharaoh: "From an abundance of praises, he became Pharaoh." Pharaoh was not initially a tyrant; rather, his flatterers elevated him to a position where he began to believe himself divine. This poison gradually infiltrates the soul, corrupting one's character. Persian poetry, regrettably, is replete with such eulogies. Court poets would describe illiterate despots, devoid of both knowledge and ethics, as "the foremost record of creation." This is precisely the kind of "precious pearl" that Naser Khosrow famously declared should not be cast "before swine." Rumi himself, I must stress, never succumbed to this affliction and always abstained from praising others. This verse stands as a perennial warning to discern between actions born of divine wisdom and those driven by human appetite, urging us not to be deceived by appearances. For often, what seems outwardly unpleasant may stem from profound wisdom, while what appears beautiful may conceal the seeds of evil and oppression.

Key takeaways

• Praising oppressors and the impure, even superficially, causes the Divine Throne to tremble and corrupts the hearts of the pious.
• Undue flattery is a deadly poison that leads individuals, especially rulers, to narcissism and tyranny, as exemplified by Pharaoh.
• Distinguishing between good intent (divine wisdom) and evil intent (carnal desire) is fundamental for judging actions.
• Rumi himself never succumbed to praising others, and this verse underscores his complete rejection of flattery and sycophancy.
• One must not be deceived by appearances; an action that seems unpleasant might stem from profound wisdom, and vice versa.