M6:2608 — در تانی بر یقینی بر زنی / گوش‌مال من بایقانی کنی

Translation: In deliberation, you shall achieve certainty; Then, with conviction, you shall chastise me.

Meaning: The jester here urges the king to exercise patience and inquiry, ensuring that any punishment is founded on certainty rather than mere suspicion or haste.

This couplet appears as the jester addresses the king, pleading with him not to render a hasty judgment. Through the jester's voice, Rumi points to a fundamental principle of justice and judgment: it is "ta'annī" (deliberation, patience) coupled with "taharrī" (investigation, seeking the truth) that leads to "yaqīn" (certainty, conviction). The jester, as an emblem of truth-telling, implores the king: "I do not ask you to forgive my fault; no. I only ask you to investigate — to seek out the truth, as indeed the Quran speaks of those who 'seek out the right guidance' (تحروا رشدا)."

Patience and deliberation stand in direct opposition to haste and impulsiveness. The jester's argument is clear: "If you exercise patience and do not rush, then you will attain certainty, a profound assurance of heart. In that state, any chastisement or punishment you mete out to me will be based on 'conviction' (īqān) and 'certainty' (yaqīn), not on mere conjecture, suspicion, or the instigation of ill-wishers." This is a robust ethical and rational principle: punishment must be founded upon definitive knowledge, not on mere assumption or opinion. Punishment without deliberation, without investigation, without certainty, is nothing but tyranny. Rumi, through this profound exchange, underscores that even in the seat of power and sovereignty, judgment must stem from insight and conviction, not from wrath or malicious counsel.

Key takeaways

• Justice and sound judgment demand deliberation and thorough investigation.
• Certainty, not mere suspicion, must be the foundation of any punishment.
• Hasty decision-making, particularly in judicial matters, deviates from justice.
• Rumi emphasizes the importance of achieving inner assurance before taking action.