M6:3261 — چون به گور آن ولی‌نعمت رسید / گشت گریان زار و آمد در نشید

Translation: Chūn ba gūr ān wali-niʿmat rasīd / Gasht giryān-zār-o āmad dar nashīd When he (the friend) reached the grave of that benefactor, he wept bitterly and began to recite an elegy. Meaning: This verse describes the scene where the loyal friend, upon arriving at the tomb of his benefactor (wali-niʿmat), expresses his profound sorrow through bitter weeping and the recitation of a lament (nashīd).

This verse vividly portrays the initial scene of an elegy being recited at the grave of a 'wali-niʿmat' (benefactor). As we frequently observe in the Masnavi, Rumi often commences with a simple image or anecdote to gently draw the reader into deeper layers of meaning. Here too, the friend's bitter weeping and the chanting of a lament (where 'nashīd' in this context signifies an 'elegy' rather than a mere song, as Rumi clarifies) serve as a prelude to expressing profound devotion and acknowledging the blessings received from that benefactor.

This lament, though outwardly sorrowful, is fundamentally imbued with gratitude. In Rumi's school of thought, even cries of separation and anguish, if they emanate from a humble heart and a grateful tongue, can be a form of narrating appreciation. As I have always emphasized regarding the 'song of the reed,' its apparent 'shikāyat' (complaint) is in essence 'ḥikāyat' (narration); similarly, the outward weeping and lament here are a recounting of the benefactor's qualities and bounties. This act, in itself, is a measure of spiritual wisdom and courtesy. The ultimate discourtesy is for a person to forget the rights of others' beneficence and close their eyes to grace and kindness. Indeed, the friend's action is not merely about honoring the deceased; it is also about enlivening the living self. Gratitude elevates human beings in the realm of existence and liberates them from baseless sorrows. A grateful tongue acts as a bridge between us and the reality of grace, and this verse stands as a symbol of this spiritual bridge-building, even in the face of loss.

Key takeaways

• Mourning and lamentation signify profound attachment and gratitude.
• Even in loss, expressing thanks for past blessings is a pillar of spiritual etiquette.
• A cry of separation, if it springs from a grateful heart, is itself a form of praise and narration.
• Rumi often employs simple imagery to guide the reader towards deeper concepts.
• A humble heart and a grateful tongue are keys to gnosis and inner peace.