M1:1111 — از دِرَمها نام شاهان برکنند / نام احمد تا ابد بَر می‌زنند

Translation: From coins, they erase the names of kings; The name of Aḥmad (Muḥammad) they will engrave until eternity. Meaning: This verse conveys that while the names and legacies of earthly rulers are fleeting and perishable, the name of Prophet Muhammad (Aḥmad) is eternally etched upon time, holding an everlasting and unshakeable significance.

Indeed, Mawlana Jalal al-Din Rumi, that surging ocean of gnosis, harbored an unblemished and profound devotion to the sacred person of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. This reverence was not born of mere formality, but truly welled up from the depths of his consciousness, rippling through every corner of the Masnavi and the Divan-e Shams. For Rumi, the Prophet was not merely the ‘Imam al-Mottaqin’ and ‘Sultan al-Bashar’, but rather the manifestation of an eternal light that shone brightly among humanity. I recall accounts of Rumi's life which narrate that whenever the muezzin's call reached “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulullah,” he would immediately rise, supporting himself on his knees, and with utmost deference and respect, utter: “May your name endure forever / Our souls are illuminated by you.” This gesture vividly portrays the depth of his veneration and homage for the Great Prophet.

The verse we are now contemplating arises precisely from this context of Rumi's love and insight concerning the Prophet. With an illuminating yet forceful analogy, he points to the fundamental difference between temporal worldly rule and prophetic spiritual authority. Kings, though they may inscribe their names on dirhams and dinars through their power, find these names, like their own lives and reigns, to be transient and perishable. Kingships come and go, coins fall out of circulation, and names fade from memory. This is a historical reality we have witnessed repeatedly. However, the name of Aḥmad (Prophet Muhammad) is not of this transient order.

For Rumi, the Prophet's name is a currency that never depreciates and never loses its value. It is inscribed eternally, not merely on coins, but on hearts and souls, where it resides permanently. This certainty of Rumi regarding the Prophet's name's immortality stems from his profound understanding of the true nature of prophethood, which transcends time and space. This name symbolizes an enduring spiritual power that neither time nor the world's vicissitudes can efface. It is the very 'coin' that is always 'renowned and always holds its worth'; a value derived not from gold and silver, but from the truth of existence and divine mission.

Rumi, in the subsequent verse (M1:1112), takes this meaning a step further, alluding to a lofty philosophy which I term 'Prophetic Inclusivity': “The name of Aḥmad is the name of all prophets / For when a hundred comes, ninety is also with us.” This is a brilliant summary of the truth that by believing in and adhering to the religion of the Prophet of Islam, one has in essence adhered to all divine prophets and the blessings of previous religions. Muhammad's prophethood is not merely the seal of prophethoods, but also their comprehensive fulfillment and completion. Just as the number one hundred encompasses all numbers preceding it, the name of Aḥmad embodies the blessings and wisdom of all prophets. Here we observe how Rumi moves from a simple observation (names on coins) to a profound philosophical and theological insight; an insight rooted in the unity of divine acts and existential unity, seeing the Prophet's name as the complete mirror of all divine manifestations.

Key takeaways

• The name of Prophet Muhammad (Aḥmad) is eternal, unlike the ephemeral names of worldly rulers.
• This verse signifies Rumi's profound devotion and unblemished love for Prophet Muhammad.
• The name of Aḥmad is a spiritual currency that never loses its value and is etched onto hearts.
• In Rumi's view, Prophet Muhammad encompasses the virtues and blessings of all divine prophets.