M1:3733 — آن خدو زد بر رخی که روی ماه / سجده آرد پیش او در سجده‌گاه

Translation: He spat upon a face before which the moon's face Would prostrate itself in the place of prostration. Meaning: This verse highlights the immense spiritual dignity of Imam Ali, whose countenance is so revered that even the moon prostrates before it, contrasting this with the disrespectful act of spitting upon such a sacred face.

This verse stands at the heart of one of the most poignant tales in the Masnavi: the adversary spitting on Ali's face. Here, Rumi, with singular eloquence, portrays the immense stature and spiritual rank of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as so exalted that even the moon, in its place of prostration, would bow its head before his blessed countenance. This is not merely a poetic flourish; it expresses an existential and spiritual standing that Rumi attributes to him. I emphasize that Rumi, without any prompting or external obligation, refers to Ali as the 'pride of every prophet and every saint' (iftikhār-i har Nabī o har Valī). This is the highest praise that can issue from the tongue of a mystic, indicative of Rumi’s profound understanding of the Alawi Vilayat (spiritual guardianship).

The crucial point here is that such an unseemly act—spitting—occurs on such a sacred face. This action becomes the focal point for reflection and contemplation in the story. The opposing champion, identified in some Shiʿi narratives as Amr ibn Abd Wudd, commits this act at the height of battle, just as Ali has gained the upper hand. This seemingly crude and disrespectful behavior, in fact, serves as the crucible for Ali's sincerity. As Rumi himself says in the preceding verse: 'Learn from Ali the sincerity of deed / And know the Lion of God to be free from deceit.'

Ali's reaction to this act is the central axis of Rumi's narrative and epitomizes the apex of spiritual insight. Ali rises from the champion's chest and casts aside his sword. This pause and deliberation are neither born of fear nor inability, but of distinguishing between divine action and ego-driven impulse. Personal anger would tarnish the nature of the struggle, and Ali would not allow his battle, even for God, to be mixed with a carnal motive. This purification of intention at a critical moment demonstrates the depth of his sincerity and monotheistic resolve.

In Rumi's account, contrary to what is found in many Shiʿi sources (where Ali kills the champion), the story concludes with the champion's conversion to Islam. This aspect of the narrative, which Rumi found in Ghazali's Kīmiyā-yi Saʿādat (as shown by the late Gholamhossein Yousefi), highlights the superiority of forbearance (ḥilm) and sincerity over mere physical force. Ali, with the sword of his forbearance, not only defeats the enemy but draws him towards the path of faith. This spiritual victory is more triumphant than a hundred armies, for it eradicates the roots of disbelief rather than merely destroying the body. Rumi intends to convey that at times, 'killing without a sword' is the work of divine men—killing the unruly ego and reviving the faithful soul.

Key takeaways

• Rumi places Imam Ali (AS) at the highest spiritual rank, describing even the moon prostrating before his countenance.
• This verse signifies that the adversary's act of spitting on Ali's face was the ultimate test of his sincerity.
• True victory, according to Rumi, is achieved not through physical force, but through forbearance (ḥilm) and purification of intention.
• The story of Ali and the champion in the Masnavi symbolizes triumph over the ego and the conversion of enmity into faith.
• Rumi's recounting of this story (sourced from Ghazali) illustrates how forbearance can compel even the most rebellious soul towards submission and belief.