M1:3732 — او خَدو انداخت در روی علی / افتخار هر نبیّ و هر ولی

Translation: He (the foe) spat upon the face of Ali, The pride of every prophet and every saint. Meaning: This verse narrates the pivotal moment in the tale of Imam Ali and the knight, when the adversary spits upon Ali's face. Rumi seizes this opportunity to exalt Ali's high spiritual station, describing him as 'the pride of every prophet and every saint.'

This verse, appearing at the close of the first book of the Masnavi, references a profoundly famous story: the wrestling match between Imam Ali and a knight who, having been subdued by Ali, spits upon his noble face. Rumi, here, is not merely recounting a historical event but leverages it to elucidate Imam Ali's unparalleled standing within Islamic mysticism.

I contend strongly that Rumi, in his description of Ali, utters words that no one had requested or demanded of him. He hails Ali as 'the pride of every prophet and every saint.' This commendation elevates Ali's position to the zenith within Rumi's intellectual framework—a station not accorded to other caliphs, despite Rumi's reverence for them. This is an unreserved declaration of Ali's spiritual eminence, one could only expect from Rumi.

Rumi proceeds: He spat upon a face before which the moon / Would prostrate itself in its place of prostration. This expression elevates Ali's countenance to a cosmic grandeur; a face before which even the moon bows in reverence. This extraordinary depiction underscores the depth of Rumi's insight and devotion to Ali's character.

The story unfolds with Ali, in response to this indignity, choosing to spare the knight's life. The knight, astonished by this act, questions Ali about the secret behind it. He addresses Ali as a 'knower of secrets' and 'one who slays souls without a sword,' imploring him to reveal his mysteries: O Ali, who are entirely intellect and sight / Tell a little of what you have seen. This remark posits Ali as the embodiment of pure intellect and vision, a description that transcends commonplace poetic adulations (such as comparing him to the moon or sun) and delves into Ali's essential, epistemological being.

Further, Rumi, speaking through the knight's voice, suggests that the light of Ali's gnosis has shone upon him: From you it shone on me, why do you conceal it? / You shed light without words, like the moon without a tongue. Here, Rumi delves into the concept of the world of spirits and minds, which, like mirrors facing each other, absorb and reflect divine light. Rumi then connects this to the diverse perceptions found in the world: One sees the world as dark / Another clearly sees a moon. He illustrates how different individuals apprehend the world, and indeed Ali's truth, in varied ways; some perceive darkness, while others discern brilliance.

In the conclusion of the story, which in prevalent Shi'i narrations typically culminates in the knight's death, Rumi opts for an alternative account. In the Masnavi, Ali refrains from killing the knight, and not only the knight himself but fifty of his relatives convert to Islam. This approach yields a profound moral lesson: The sword of forbearance is sharper than the sword of iron / Nay, it is more victorious than a hundred armies. It was Ali's forbearance that slew the knight's 'infidel spirit' and guided him to faith. This narrative, whose source was later traced by the late Gholamhossein Yousefi to Ghazali's Kimiya-ye Sa'adat, exemplifies how Rumi transmutes existing accounts into profound ethical and mystical interpretations.

Key takeaways

• Rumi names Ali the 'pride of every prophet and every saint,' an unparalleled description showcasing his unique position in Rumi's thought.
• Ali's face, in Rumi's view, is so sacred that 'the moon would prostrate itself before it,' signifying his cosmic reverence and sanctity.
• Contrary to common narrations, Rumi prioritizes Ali's forbearance over his sword, as it was forbearance that led to the enemy's conversion.
• In Rumi's narrative, the 'sword of forbearance is sharper than the sword of iron,' for it has the power to transform and revive the soul, not just the body.
• This story exemplifies how Rumi draws from a historical event to offer a profound, universal interpretation of spiritual influence and the power of patience.
• Describing Ali as 'entirely intellect and sight' demonstrates Rumi's deep regard for him as the perfect embodiment of gnosis and insight.