M6:2482 — داند این را هرکه ز اصحاب نهاست / که نهاد من فزون‌تر از شماست

Translation: Anyone who is among the people of understanding (nahā) knows this: That my nature (nahād) is greater than yours. Meaning: The camel, in its retort, asserts its superiority not through logic or history, but by claiming its inherent nature and might transcend the arguments of the others.

This verse is uttered by the camel in the story of the three travelers (Christian, Jew, Muslim), who each try to prove their superiority through historical accounts, arguments, and the legacies of their prophets. The camel, however, represents raw power, dismissing their intellectual claims. Through this verse, it presents its own logic: the logic of might.

I consider this a crucial insight from the Masnavi. Here, through veiled language, Rumi unveils the undeniable truth of 'force' (zūr) in human history and life. The camel declares, "I have no need for your history or your logic. I am strong-necked, and I achieve my goals through sheer might." This is Rumi's acknowledgment of a bitter, perennial reality: often, force prevails over reason, intellect, and argument. When power asserts itself, all else is suspended.

The word nahā in aṣḥāb-i nahā refers to "people of intellect and wisdom," as seen in the Quranic term ulu’l-nahā. Nahī itself implies "restraint" and "control." Intellect, in the Arabic view, primarily functions to deter ill deeds, thus closely related to ḥayā (modesty or shame). Yet, in this verse, the camel addresses these "people of intellect" claiming, "My nahād (nature/constitution) is greater than yours." Nahād here points to the camel's inherently powerful essence, a power that frees it from conforming to logic and allows it to achieve its desires by relying on its "claws and talons."

In another part of the Masnavi, Rumi himself states: "God forbid one should have sharp nails and strong claws; they would no longer think of religion or ethics. They would crumple all these in their fist." This statement precisely elucidates the camel's logic in our verse. The powerful individual disregards ethics and religion because they perceive no need for them. This perspective, though stark, is realistic and aligns with humanity's historical experience.

I have always emphasized that after World War II, philosophers and thinkers endeavored to define human rights, independent of race, religion, or nationality, by drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was a propitious development. However, regrettably, this "precious commodity" also fell into the hands of oppressors, and human rights were invoked to launch attacks and gain profits. Why? Because they possessed the 'force' and could, therefore, override human rights and exploit them. The issue of 'power' is thus profoundly serious, and Rumi masterfully illustrates this through the camel's parable.

In contrast to this logic of force, the solution proposed by Sufis and mystics, as demonstrated by Rumi and Ghazali, was to withdraw from power and cultivate virtue within one's personal and limited sphere. They believed one should not await global reform by rulers but begin with oneself and one's immediate surroundings. This verse and the camel's story reveal the depth of Rumi's insight into the conflict between the harsh reality of power and ethical ideals. It implores us not to blind ourselves to this historical truth, yet simultaneously not to surrender to the camel's logic, but to strive to tame power and replace violence with reason, even if only within the 'small gardens' of our own lives.

Key takeaways

• Force and might often prevail over logic and reason, a persistent reality.
• Nahā signifies intellect and wisdom, yet inherent 'nature' (nahād) can override it.
• Through the camel's allegory, Rumi highlights the harsh reality of power abuse and the disregard for ethics.
• The triumph of human rights over the logic of force is a constant struggle, not easily achieved.
• Facing the dominance of force, Sufis chose withdrawal from power to cultivate individual virtues.