M1:4002 — اینت لطف دل که از یک مشت گل / ماه او چون می‌شود پروین‌گسل

Translation: This is the grace of the heart, which, (though created) from a handful of clay, / How its moon-like splendor outshines even the Pleiades. Meaning: Rumi marvels at the astonishing nature of the human heart, which, despite its earthy origin, possesses such grace and luminosity that it surpasses the stars. This verse is invoked to explain a pause in Masnavi's composition, alluding to a disturbance in this very grace of the heart.

This verse, found at the conclusion of the first book of the Masnavi, is key to understanding one of the most significant pauses in the composition of this monumental work. I have repeatedly argued that Rumi was not an artisan; his genius flowed naturally, rather than being crafted or deliberately shaped. Here, we witness a direct manifestation of this unforced, natural quality. He himself concedes that after completing Book One, his words became "heavily mixed with earth," meaning his poetic wellspring had lost its former effervescence, and the water of his inner spring had become turbid. Consequently, he chose not to wound himself by forcing the flow, and patiently waited for the spring of his inspiration to clear naturally.

This "grace of the heart" (lutf-e del), born from "a handful of clay" (yek mosht-e gel), is the very divine essence and the wellspring of creativity and gnosis, breathed into the earthy vessel of humanity. It is this heart that can shine like a radiant moon, surpassing even the Pleiades (Parvin), demonstrating its superiority over the material world. Yet, even this divine grace, manifested within human existence, is not immune to life's trials and tribulations. The death of Rumi's eldest son, Ala'uddin, and the passing of Husam al-Din Chalabi's wife (to whom Rumi held deep reverence), plunged both Rumi and Husam al-Din into profound grief. These external events clouded Rumi's inner state, rendering his "grace of the heart" "agitated, disturbed, and defiled," in his own words.

I have emphasized many times that Rumi, in the Masnavi, rarely engages with the political or social affairs of his time; however, personal events, especially those concerning his loved ones, could profoundly affect him. This verse illustrates that even someone of Rumi's stature is not immune to inner turmoil, and his creative flow, though divine, can at times be clouded within the context of his earthly existence. He does not fret; he practices patience, understanding that the One who initially bestowed the "grace of the heart" and caused the "water of his disposition" to flow, is also capable of rendering it "clear and delightful" once more. This reflects the ultimate surrender and trust of a mystic in the source of all bounty, while also articulating his profound insight into the relationship between spirit and body, and inspiration and human states. This verse is not a complaint, but an honest account of an inner state that halted the course of a spiritual creation for two years.

Key takeaways

• Hiatus of Inspiration: The composition of the Masnavi paused for two years due to Rumi's turbulent inner state.
• Unforced Flow of Genius: Poetic and mystical inspiration cannot be compelled; one must await its return with patience.
• Luminosity of the Human Heart: The "grace of the heart," though originating from clay, possesses a splendor that outshines even the stars.
• Impact of Personal Tragedies: Even great mystics are profoundly affected by life's events, such as the death of a son or a close companion.
• Restraint and Trust: Rumi practiced self-restraint and trusted in the Divine during his spiritual crisis, allowing his creative wellspring to clear naturally.
• Turbid Speech: When the heart is disturbed, speech too becomes earthy and clouded, losing its former clarity and purity.