M6:380 — پس پیمبر گفت استفتوا القلوب / گرچه مفتیتان برون گوید خطوب

Translation: Then the Prophet said: "Consult your hearts!" Though your jurists outside declare weighty matters (khuṭūb).

Meaning: Rumi, referencing a Prophetic tradition, advises seeking counsel from one's inner conscience, even when faced with a multitude of conflicting external opinions and rulings from religious authorities.

In this verse, Rumi points to one of the most profound teachings of the Prophet of Islam: the command to "Consult your hearts!" (Istaftū al-qulūb). This directive is issued in the face of a multitude of conflicting external opinions and counsels. Imagine an individual coming before the Prophet, complaining about the clamor and contradictions in various pronouncements. Here, the Prophet offers a foundational solution: instead of submitting to the words of jurists who declare "weighty matters" (khuṭūb), one should lend an ear to the inner voice of their conscience.

I firmly believe that the "heart" (qalb) in this context refers to what we today understand as "conscience" (wijdan). This conscience, if alive and not stifled, will illuminate the correct path for an individual, even if they act contrary to it, subsequently feeling the pangs of remorse. However, it's crucial to note that not every heart is fit for such consultation; only a heart "full of purity" (pur būd az ṣafā) and "pure and unattached" (pāk o bī-taʿalluq) can serve as the ultimate reference for this internal dialogue. A heart tainted by a thousand inclinations, desires, and demands from all directions is, in truth, too ailing to hear the voice of truth within itself. Thus, this "pure heart" is itself a product of self-purification and liberation from the bonds of desires and attachments, a theme Rumi frequently revisits before and after this particular verse.

Rumi posits that human will is not always independent or disconnected from cosmic forces. At times, we foster a resolve within, yet an inner force—which can be attributed to Satan and its temptations—hinders us. Conversely, at other times, another force, angelic and divine, aids us, making endeavors smooth. Therefore, the purity and polish of the conscience, which is an essential precondition for Istaftū al-qulūb, is both a result of our own struggle to free ourselves from desires and attachments, and also dependent on divine and angelic confirmations. Without such confirmations, even the strongest resolves may shatter, preventing one from reaching their intended goal.

This verse is, in essence, a turning point that directs humanity from a sole focus on external jurisprudence and a multiplicity of outward opinions towards an inner jurisprudence and intrinsic wisdom. "Though your jurists outside declare weighty matters" implies that regardless of how grand or perilous external fatwas and pronouncements may be—and despite their importance in their proper place—ultimately, it is the awakened conscience and pure heart that clarify our ultimate duty. This is the very mindfulness (murāqabah) which, if consistently practiced, leads an individual to perceive justice and a just judge, that is, to comprehend divine justice and the consequences of their actions. Provided, of course, that the individual has escaped inner blindness and possesses the necessary sensitivity to receive these profound messages.

Key takeaways

• The verse emphasizes the Prophetic tradition "Consult your heart," advocating for introspection.
• Amidst a multitude of external rulings and advice, a pure heart and awakened conscience serve as humanity's primary guide.
• The conscience's capacity to guide is conditional upon its purity and freedom from attachments and desires.
• Rumi highlights the role of unseen forces (angels and devils) in empowering or hindering one's ability to act upon the conscience's call.
• Constant mindfulness and sensitivity enable one to perceive the conscience's messages and divine justice.