M1:3794 — باز گو ای باز عنقاگیر شاه / ای سپاه‌اشکن بخود نه با سپاه

Translation: Speak forth, O royal falcon who hunts the Simurgh! O you who shatters armies by yourself, not with an army. Meaning: The champion (speaking as Rumi) implores Imam Ali to reveal the secret behind his extraordinary power, emphasizing his unique inner might that can overcome armies without external support.

This verse emerges from one of the Masnavi's climactic narratives: the story of the vengeful champion vanquished by Imam Ali, whose subsequent act of forbearance transforms his adversary. The words, undeniably, are not merely those of a defeated warrior; they are Rumi's profound, adoring articulation of Ali's station and essence. The champion asks Ali, “Speak forth, O royal falcon who hunts the Simurgh! O you who shatters armies by yourself, not with an army.” This "speak forth" (baz-gu) is no mere request for a secret; it is a profound demand from the realm of truth for the unveiling of a divine mystery. It is Rumi himself, through this utterance, who portrays Ali's spiritual authority and valor.

I must insist that the descriptor “royal falcon who hunts the Simurgh (Anqā-gīr Shāh)” is unparalleled. The Anqa is a mythical, unattainable bird, and Ali, in Rumi's eyes, is the royal falcon who can capture even this impossible quarry. This points to a power far beyond ordinary human capacities. Rumi then explicitly speaks of one who "shatters armies by himself, not with an army" (sepāh-shikan be-khwad ne bā sepāh). This is precisely the secret the champion alludes to: "killing without a sword is His work" (bī-shamshīr kushtan kār-i ū-st). This signifies Ali's intrinsic, divine power—a power capable of conquering hearts, not just breaking bodies in battle. Ali's victories are of a different order: a triumph over souls and spirits, not merely territories. This notion of shattering armies "by himself" refers to the very forbearance and magnanimity which, in the unfolding of the story, leads to the champion's conversion to Islam, along with his kinsmen. Rumi's conclusion is striking: “The sword of clemency is sharper than a steel sword / Indeed, it incites victory more than a hundred armies.”

It is crucial to emphasize that no one asked or compelled Rumi to utter such words in praise of Ali. While Rumi held reverence for all caliphs of his era, these unique and extraordinary verses are reserved solely for Ali. This testifies to the purity of his devotion and the depth of his understanding. It is Rumi's voice, mirroring the sun-like figure of Ali, that receives and reflects his light to us. He sees himself in this position, where Ali's light has been cast upon him ("az to bar man tāft"), and it is this illumination that enables him to articulate such truths. This verse, therefore, is not merely a tribute to Ali; it is a representation of Rumi's gnosis concerning a higher truth manifested in Ali's being.

Key takeaways

• Rumi speaks through the character of the champion to reveal his profound admiration for Imam Ali.
• The title "royal falcon who hunts the Simurgh" (Anqā-gīr Shāh) signifies Ali's extraordinary, almost mythical power to achieve the seemingly impossible.
• "Shatters armies by himself, not with an army" (sepāh-shikan be-khwad ne bā sepāh) points to Ali's inherent, divine strength that conquers hearts, not just bodies in battle.
• The demand "speak forth" (baz-gu) is an insistence on unveiling divine and existential secrets.
• This verse stands as testament to Rumi's unparalleled and unconditional reverence for Imam Ali, stemming from deep spiritual insight rather than societal convention.