M6:2403 — آن دو کس گفتند ما از خور پریم / امشبش بنهیم و فردایش خوریم

Translation: Those two said, "We are full from food; / Let us set it aside tonight and eat it tomorrow." Meaning: This verse opens the tale of the three travelers, where the Christian and the Jew, feeling sated, propose saving their newly found halva for the following day.

This verse marks the beginning of a Masnavi story that Rumi adapted from Shams-e Tabrizi, yet imbued with his own unique depth and richness. The tale of the three travelers—a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew—stands as a luminous example of Rumi's approach to religious pluralism and the diverse spiritual states of wayfarers. Here, the two—the Christian and the Jew—speak. They declare themselves "full from food," signifying a state of satiety and lack of physical need. This satiety is not merely physical; it symbolizes their inner, psychological states. They propose, "Let us set it aside tonight and eat it tomorrow," suggesting that the halva, a symbol here for spiritual sustenance and divine provision, be deferred for later consumption. In contrast, the Muslim traveler—whom Rumi describes as "fasting, hungry, and compelled to yield"—is in a wholly different state.

I have consistently emphasized that, in Rumi's view, an individual's inner states and spiritual aptitudes determine their path. Here, the two, due to their apparent "fullness" and lack of immediate need, believe there is no urgency for instant gratification. This could allude to a state of unawareness regarding true hunger, or perhaps contentment with their current condition and a lack of immediacy in their spiritual quest. Conversely, the believer, or Muslim, in the story, is oppressed and overpowered, yet it is precisely this "overpowered" state and his hunger that pave the way for divine grace and a unique intervention. This narrative serves as a prelude to illustrating the distinction between "delight" and "suffering," a theme Rumi addresses elsewhere: "People walk in the marketplace alike / Half in delight, and half in pain." The outward appearances of life bring individuals together in a caravanserai, yet their inner realities, their motivations—what I call their 'incentives'—are entirely distinct. As I have often remarked, "O brother, you are entirely thought," and this 'thought' refers precisely to the inner motivations that shape our ultimate destination.

Key takeaways

• This verse initiates Rumi's allegorical tale of the three travelers (Muslim, Christian, Jew) in the Masnavi.
• It illustrates the differing spiritual states of seekers; some are sated, while others are truly hungry.
• The suggestion to defer spiritual sustenance indicates a lack of urgency in one's quest.
• It sets the stage for exploring the truth behind humanity's inner differences and underlying unity.