M6:1319 — این سخن پایان ندارد ای قباد / حرص ما را اندرین پایان مباد

Translation: This discourse has no end, O Qobād; May our eagerness for it never cease. Meaning: Rumi declares that the discussion of connecting and befriending God is boundless. He ardently wishes for his spiritual zeal to introduce the Eternal Beloved to continue perpetually, never diminishing.

This couplet concludes a series of Rumi's discourses on how to befriend the Divine. I firmly believe that Rumi, with his unparalleled insight, reveals a fundamental principle here: in all our human relationships, be it friendship, affection, estrangement, or aversion, we never rely on dry, logical arguments. We make judgments based on appearances and effects; we decide, based on our feelings and perceptions, whether someone is spiritually close to us or not. Friendships form, sometimes they break, and all of this is based on an initial 'presumption' (bena nahādan). We presume friendship until proven otherwise; we presume the ground beneath our feet is firm until a pit proves us wrong. This 'presumption' is the foundation of our daily lives, and without it, we cannot take a single step. Now, Rumi's argument is: why do we not apply this same method to the Divine? What is wrong with presuming that there is a God, and that He loves us? With the same 'imagination' (khiyāl) and the same method we use to befriend others, let us enter the realm of spiritual life, find our Friend there, and live with Him. Millions of people throughout history have lived by this presumption and found happiness. This is a home that has offered them solace, security, connection, and meaning.

The second line, 'May our greed for it never cease,' expresses the zenith of Rumi's passion and zeal. This 'greed' is not a worldly or material desire, but a spiritual thirst that places him in a prophetic state. As Iqbal Lahori described the prophets, they would become so overflowing with an experience that they could not contain it and wished to share it with everyone. This is Rumi's state. He has found a spiritual treasure, a treasure of love and gnosis for the Eternal Beloved, and this treasure is so vast that he cannot remain silent. As Saʿdi says, 'May a poor man not find a treasure / such that he cannot remain silent from greed.' Rumi wants to shout; he wants to invite everyone to the table of divine love. He is like the sea; divine generosity has permeated his being, and he wishes to extend it to both near and far. As he puts it, the sea gives jewels to those near and rain to those afar. No matter how much he speaks of this Beloved and this friendship, he still desires to speak more. This is the blessed 'greed' he wishes never to end, especially as an eloquent speaker like himself teaches him these words and places them on his tongue.

Key takeaways

• In human relationships, we judge based on effects and appearances, assuming friendship rather than relying solely on pure logic.
• Rumi suggests applying this same principle of 'presumption' to our friendship with God.
• Spiritual life gains meaning and security by presuming God's presence and love.
• Rumi's 'greed' in this verse is not a worldly desire, but an insatiable spiritual eagerness to continue speaking of the Divine and introducing the Eternal Beloved.
• This eagerness reflects a prophetic state of overflowing spiritual experience and a desire to share this treasure with others.
• One who has found the treasure of Divine love is filled with a spiritual 'greed' and cannot refrain from sharing it with others.