M1:1718 — غیرت حق بود و با حق چاره نیست / کو دلی کز عشق حق صد‌پاره نیست‌؟

Translation: It was the absolute Will of God, and against God there is no remedy; What heart is there that is not torn into a hundred pieces by His decree and love?

Meaning: This verse asserts that all occurrences are within the absolute Will of God, leaving no choice but surrender. The pain that arises from such divine decree is a mark of divine love, and few hearts remain unscathed by this profound, rending love.

This verse presents a resolute and uncompromising declaration from Mawlana regarding surrender to divine will and the rejection of any lament over the past. Mawlana introduces this powerful statement within the story of the merchant and the parrot. When the parrot feigns death, the merchant repeatedly exclaims, "Daryghā!" (Alas!). Mawlana, with a brief but profound insight, reminds him that these "alas-es" are nothing but "imaginings of sight" and sever one from "the cash of one's own being," that is, the present moment. It is here that Mawlana proclaims:

"These 'alas-es' are imaginings of sight; And cut you off from the cash of your own being. It was the Jealousy of God, and against God there is no remedy; What heart is there that is not torn into a hundred pieces by His decree and love?"

What is meant by "the Jealousy of God" (ghayrat-i Ḥaqq)? It signifies that God is the absolute sovereign, having no partners in His dominion. What He wills, occurs without fail, and no human contrivance can stand against His decree. This is not merely an assertion of pure power, but a return to the very "Oneness" and "Singularity" of the Creator, which makes Him "other than all." He is an existence beyond all earthly description and clamor. In essence, with these words, Mawlana not only criticizes fruitless mourning over what has passed but also deems any objection to divine destiny as futile. This form of surrender, contrary to a superficial understanding, does not imply passivity; rather, it is a deep comprehension of the architecture of existence, in which every event is part of a grander design.

Now, to address the second part of the verse: "What heart is there that is not torn into a hundred pieces by God's decree and love?" This rhetorical question points to a universal truth. What heart has not experienced separation, loss, and heartbreak? What soul has not been wounded and shattered into a hundred pieces by "the love of God"—which sometimes manifests as separation and pain? This "being torn into pieces" is not a sign of weakness but an indication of accepting the divine decree and embarking upon the path of love. Mawlana himself states elsewhere, "Am I complaining about the Soul of the soul? I am not a complainer; I am a narrator." Here too, he teaches us that, in the face of God's will, we have no lament or grievance other than the narration of the truth of existence.

This perspective of Mawlana must be seen in contrast to those who lament the past, caught in nostalgia for what has been lost. Hafez, at times, cherishes the past with his fervent "Yād bād" (May it be remembered!) verses; "May it be remembered that you secretly cast a glance at us..." Or Saʿdi, who speaks of "After us, many a rose will bloom in the garden," referring to future generations. But Mawlana is ibn al-waqt—the Sufi of the present moment. He teaches us that the only "cash" of our existence is this "present." Lamenting does not bring back the past nor guarantee the future; it only destroys the current life. For this reason, Mawlana does not retreat from this stance even in the face of losing loved ones. In the passing of Salah al-Din Zarkub, he does not partake in common lamentation, framing regret as "we, the blind ones, cry over the seeing one." This is a wake-up call to reflect on our own state of being veiled, instead of weeping for the departed. This is the true "repentance" that frees one from the memories of the past, both good and bad, and leads to a "fresh existence" and "mindfulness of the present." With this verse, Mawlana offers us not merely solace, but a way of living in absolute presence, free from the servitude of time.

Key takeaways

• Against God's absolute will, there is no remedy; His "Jealousy" signifies His Oneness and ultimate sovereignty.
• Lamenting the past with "alas" deprives one of presence and the ability to live in the current moment; true existential richness lies in the present.
• The pain and suffering arising from separation are signs of divine love, a path for the soul to be "torn into a hundred pieces" and attain transcendence.
• Mawlana consistently maintains his stance as an "ibn al-waqt" (child of the moment), advocating living in the present, even in the face of severe misfortunes or the death of loved ones.
• This verse offers profound solace for loss, reframing every departure as part of divine destiny and the journey of love.