M6:3371 — مر بدان را ستر چون حلم خدا / خلق او بر عکس خلقان و جدا

Translation: He covered the faults of the wicked, like God's forbearance; His character was contrary to and distinct from that of ordinary people. Meaning: This verse describes the virtuous vizier's character, highlighting his practice of concealing the faults of wrongdoers, mirroring God's attribute of forbearance, which sets him apart from common human behavior.

This verse paints a vivid picture of a wise and mystical vizier who, within the court of a tyrannical king, played two crucial roles: intercession and paternal guidance for the needy, and more importantly, "covering" the faults of the wicked. I emphasize that satr (ستر) means to conceal others' shortcomings and sins, not to expose and disgrace them. This attribute, as Rumi puts it, is "like God's forbearance" (chon hilm-i khodā); just as God, with His immense patience, veils the sins of His servants and does not immediately punish them, this vizier possessed the same spirit.

The character of this vizier was "contrary to and distinct from that of ordinary people" (bar ʿaks-i khalqān va jodā). Common people, unfortunately, are often inclined to expose the flaws of others, to ruin their reputations and honor. But this vizier embodied the divine attribute of satr, never "giving others away." This point is immensely significant. Rumi here presents an ethical model that transcends the common morality of his time and, indeed, of any era. Instead of complaining about the sultan's tyranny or directly confronting him, he finds a way to "serve within the framework of oppression"—a path through which the severity of despotism can be lessened and the welfare of the people advanced. This approach is, in essence, an "internal restraint," which, rather than completely rejecting the existing structure, penetrates it and moderates it. Such individuals were truly "strangers and imprisoned" (gharīb va moḥtabas) in those positions, yet they donned these cloaks for the sake of benevolence.

Key takeaways

• Concealing others' faults is a noble and divine ethical attribute.
• The vizier's character, unlike common inclinations towards exposure, was founded on divine forbearance and covering of sins.
• Rumi presents a model of service within a context of tyranny, aiming to mitigate oppression.
• This virtue signifies the vizier's distinct and superior character compared to ordinary people.