M6:3547 — گشته باشد هم‌چو سگ قی را اکول / مسترد نحله بر قول رسول

Translation: He who seeks restitution of a gift becomes like a dog that devours its own vomit, according to the saying of the Messenger. Meaning: This verse, quoting the Prophet Muhammad, uses a stark and repulsive metaphor to condemn the act of taking back a bestowed gift, emphasizing its profound moral reprehensibility.

In this verse, Rumi quotes a saying of the Prophet Muhammad concerning the retrieval of gifts and donations. This is a dictum that transcends mere jurisprudence and legal boundaries, emphasizing instead the higher realm of ethics and chivalry. I have often pointed out that Rumi at times moves beyond specific legal rulings into the broader domain of mystical ethics; this is precisely one such instance. The wealthy man in the story had, in his will, made solemn vows to God that his silver and gold would never return to him or his family, even if the recipient were to refuse it. He had, in effect, removed the wealth from his own ownership and entrusted it to God.

The phrase mustaradd naḥla refers to someone who seeks to take back a gift or bestowal. Rumi condemns this act using the harshest and most offensive imagery possible: a dog returning to its own vomit. This expression is found in prophetic traditions as al-ʿāʾid fī hibatihi kal-kalb yaʿūd fī qayʾihi. This animalistic simile vividly illustrates the profound moral repugnance of such an act. While jurisprudentially, in certain specific circumstances (for instance, as long as the gifted item has not been altered by the recipient), retracting a gift might be permissible, ethically—and as the spirit of the Masnavi teaches—this action is utterly reprehensible and blameworthy. Giving with sincerity is a one-way flow, much like milk drawn from a breast that does not return. This verse teaches us that our acts of giving must be definitive and irreversible, without room for hesitation or regret. This exemplifies the pinnacle of magnanimity and generosity that Rumi highlights in this narrative.

Key takeaways

• The verse quotes the Prophet Muhammad, condemning the act of reclaiming a gift.
• Rumi transcends legalistic boundaries, emphasizing the ethical judgment, even if legal recourse for reclaiming a gift exists.
• The metaphor of 'a dog eating its vomit' highlights the intense moral repugnance of the action.
• True giving is a one-way, irreversible act, akin to milk drawn from a breast.
• The story of the wealthy man exemplifies absolute generosity and fidelity to vows made to God.