M6:4145 — هر که از شاهان ازین نوعش بگفت / گردنش با تیغ بران کرد جفت

Translation: Whoever spoke of kings in this manner (i.e., having progeny), His neck was joined with the sharp sword.

Meaning: This verse describes the dire fate of those who, presumptuously or falsely, claimed that a king — especially one who portrayed himself as unbegotten and without offspring — had a family; such a pronouncement would lead to their immediate execution.

In this verse, Rumi speaks through the brothers of a prince, who are attempting to dissuade their younger sibling from a perilous journey to China. The king of China in this narrative embodies an absolute and unparalleled power, deeming himself "lam yalid" (unbegotten and childless), and tolerating no mention of a spouse or offspring. Here, Rumi paints a picture of untamed, tyrannical authority that brooks no even unfounded claims, responding to them with the sharp sword.

I have often pointed out that one of the striking and thought-provoking aspects of classical Persian literature, including the Mathnawi and Hafez's Divan, is the normalization and even metaphorical use of violence. Here, we see how beheading and execution are depicted so casually that the brothers use it straightforwardly to warn their sibling. Hafez, too, in a ghazal, says: "O heart, do not entangle yourself in her lasso-like locks / For there you will see heads severed without crime or offense." This illustrates how the beloved or a power, which ought to symbolize tenderness, sometimes appears in our poets' expressions as a "plundering Turk" or a "bloodthirsty lion." This phenomenon, though strange, was part of the metaphorical language of that era to convey the intensity and unbridled nature of power or love.

Yet, beneath this seemingly violent imagery, deeper lessons are embedded. In the path of gnosis, some truths are so absolute and self-sufficient that any claim of 'partnership' or 'equality' with them is deemed as audacity and sacrilege. This can refer to Divine jealousy (ghayrat); that is, God is unique and dislikes anyone setting up a partner with Him or constraining Him with family and children. The claim of offspring for God (as in some religions) exemplifies this very statement. From this perspective, the story of the Chinese king can be an allegory for traversing before absolute Truth and the necessity of maintaining reverence in its presence; the slightest departure from the orbit of existential truths can lead to the annihilation of the seeker. Thus, this verse is not merely a description of a harsh king, but a warning to the seeker about respecting boundaries and recognizing the station of God's absolute independence and oneness.

Key takeaways

• The verse depicts the absolute and tyrannical power of the Chinese king, who answers any claim of him having offspring with the sword.
• It illustrates the normalization and metaphorical use of violence in classical Persian literature, even when describing the beloved.
• On a deeper level, it can be seen as an allegory for Divine jealousy (ghayrat), which tolerates no partners for the Unique Essence of God.
• The spiritual journey before absolute Truth demands precise knowledge of boundaries and reverence for God's self-sufficiency; the slightest audacity can lead to the spiritual demise of the seeker.