M6:2110 — گر نبودی نسبت تو زین سرا / پاره‌پاره کردمی این دم ترا

Translation: Were it not for your relation to this abode, / I would tear you to pieces this very instant. Meaning: Spoken from the perspective of a spiritual authority, this verse underscores the saving power of one's connection to a perfected master or a divine saint, suggesting that this very bond protects the individual from annihilation.

This stirring verse, uttered through the voice of a divinely inspired saint or a 'King of the Age' (شاهنشاه زمان), speaks directly and unequivocally of the spiritual power and influence of God's chosen ones. Throughout these sections of the Masnavi, Rumi elevates the station of mystics and perfected masters to a cosmic level, portraying them as the very fount of grace and blessing for the entire universe. This echoes the sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) of 'Were it not for you, I would not have created the heavens' (lawlāka lamā khalaqtul-aflāka), originally attributed to the Prophet, which Rumi here extends to all true friends of God (awliyāʾ-i ḥaqq).

The direct address 'you' (turā) in this verse refers to an individual who, by their own merit, lacks sufficient worthiness or piety. However, due to a 'relation' or 'connection' (nisbat) with a perfected master, this individual is shielded from punishment and annihilation. This directly alludes to Quranic narratives, such as the wives of Prophets Noah and Lot, who, despite their proximity to divine messengers, fell into divine wrath due to their inner infidelity and treachery. Yet, Rumi offers a different perspective: the bond of marriage to a saint, even if the individual themselves is undeserving, can act as a profound spiritual shield.

The divine speaker unequivocally threatens: 'Were it not for your relation to this abode, / I would tear you to pieces this very instant.' This signifies that had there been no connection, no affiliation to the household under the saint's spiritual guardianship, the saint, by virtue of their spiritual authority, would have instantly obliterated the individual. But precisely because she is the 'wife of this King of the Age,' meaning she bears a formal connection to this center of divine guardianship and light, the hand of the saint's retribution is restrained. This bond, even if merely external or formal on the part of the unworthy individual, profoundly impacts divine decree, leading to its delay or suspension. This, in itself, is a manifestation of God's expansive mercy, channeled through His saints, even for those who inherently lack spiritual merit.

The key insight here is Rumi's intent to illustrate the spiritual power and authoritative influence of the divine saints. This power extends not only over pure souls but also over destiny itself, and even over the punishment of sinners. The nisbat (spiritual affiliation or connection) with a saint becomes a form of 'grace by association,' an acquired favor that can alter one's fate, even if the individual, left to their own devices and without this connection, would be condemned. This is a profound articulation of the significance of 'companionship' (ṣuḥbat) and 'proximity' (mujāwarat) to the people of heart, which can offer protection even to the most audacious and undeserving.

Key takeaways

• Connection to divine saints, even for the unworthy, serves as a source of divine protection and mercy.
• The spiritual authority and pervasive influence of saints impact destiny and even the decrees of divine retribution.
• The value of 'companionship' (ṣuḥbat) and 'proximity' (mujāwarat) to perfected beings is undeniable, even for those not inherently deserving of grace.
• This verse illustrates God's expansive mercy, which flows through sacred intermediaries (the divine saints).