M6:2111 — دادمی آن نوح را از تو خلاص / تا مشرف گشتمی من در قصاص

Translation: I would have freed that Noah from you, / So that I might have been honored even in retribution. Meaning: This verse expresses the speaker's profound readiness to liberate a divinely accepted soul (like Noah) from an unworthy companion, even to the point of embracing retribution for such an act as an honor. It underscores an ultimate, protective loyalty.

In this verse, Rumi speaks through the voice of an overwhelming will, which I believe can be seen as an echo of divine will or ardent mystical jealousy. The addressee is the unworthy spouse or companion of a 'divinely accepted soul' (maqbūl-e rūḥ); someone who, despite their proximity to a saint, causes them distress or leads them astray. To clarify this image, Rumi alludes to the Quranic stories of Noah's and Lot's wives, who, despite their intimate connection to prophets, were counted among the disbelievers and ultimately faced divine wrath. These spouses were outwardly the closest individuals to the saints, yet inwardly, they embraced treachery.

I interpret this through the lens of the 'Lawlāk' concept, which I discussed in previous sessions: that the universe and all within it were created for the sake of the saints. Therefore, any harm or distress inflicted upon these saints is an immense sin that the divine will cannot tolerate. It is in this context that the speaker declares, with a forceful tone: 'Dādami ān Nūḥ rā az to khalāṣ' — 'I would have freed that Noah from your harm.' Here, 'Noah' is not a specific individual but a symbol for any 'accepted soul' and saint who deserves liberation from the bondage of unworthy companionship.

The climax of this verse lies in its second part: 'Tā musharraf gashtamī man dar qaṣāṣ' — 'So that I might have been honored even in retribution.' This phrase signifies the ultimate zeal and love for the divine saints. The speaker states a readiness to sacrifice their own life for this salvific act and to accept retribution. Not only is there no fear of retribution, but it is considered a source of honor and pride. This marks the pinnacle of sacrifice and devotion for the preservation and protection of the saints' sanctity. It indicates that the will speaking here so profoundly believes in the station and reverence of the 'Perfect Human' that it deems any price for keeping their sanctity pure as trivial. This expresses Rumi's unparalleled depth of devotion and defense of the 'Perfect Human's' status.

Key takeaways

• Protecting divine saints, even at the cost of one's life, is the highest expression of mystical love and zeal.
• Embracing retribution in defense of truth can be a source of honor and glory for divine lovers.
• Unworthy companionship can be a heavy burden for even the most accepted souls, necessitating their liberation.
• The exalted status of saints is such that their suffering evokes a powerful, decisive response.