M1:3741 — در شجاعت شیر رَبّانیستی / در مُروَّت خود که داند کیستی؟

Translation: In valor, you were a divine, lordly lion; But in magnanimity, who knows what you truly are?

Meaning: Mawlana praises Ali, stating that while his courage in battle was divinely inspired and lion-like, his magnanimity and chivalry were of such an unfathomable nature that no human could comprehend their true depth.

This couplet, among others, was composed by Mawlana in praise of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali (peace be upon him), and he narrates it through the voice of the defeated champion in the story, Amr ibn Abd Wudd. However, without a doubt, these are Mawlana's own words—a reflection of his profound reverence and admiration for a figure like Ali. Here, Mawlana, with his characteristic insight, points to a subtle nuance: Ali's courage, described as a 'divine lion,' though not earthly and rooted in the divine, is nonetheless comprehensible to humans, as power and valor can be perceived in some way. Being a 'divine lion' is the pinnacle of this understanding, signifying that Ali is not merely a brave human, but the Lion of God, a manifestation of divine power.

But when it comes to muruwwat (magnanimity/chivalry), Mawlana elevates the discourse, stating: 'But in magnanimity, who knows what you truly are?' This question is not one of denial, but rather an expression of ultimate grandeur and incomparability. Regarding Ali's muruwwat, no one has the capacity to grasp its extent, its depth, or the measure of his chivalry. This expression is the zenith of praise; a point where intellect falters, and only absolute admiration remains. This muruwwat is the very virtue that manifests in the famous story recounted by Ghazali in Kimiya-ye Sa'adat and also in Mawlana's Masnavi: where Ali sits on the chest of his foe, and the foe spits in his face; Ali then rises for a moment to quell his anger, then returns to finish the foe's task with the 'sword of forbearance.' This 'sword of forbearance,' as Mawlana puts it, is sharper and more decisive than a hundred armies.

Thus, this couplet speaks of two sides of Ali's character: on one hand, his manifest and decisive courage, and on the other, his intrinsic and boundless muruwwat and chivalry. It is this muruwwat that reveals the depth of Ali's character, distinguishing him from a mere warrior. With this statement, Mawlana presents Ali as an archetype of the comprehensiveness of divine virtues; one in whom power and nobility converge, and whose spiritual dimension transcends and gives meaning to his physical prowess.

Key takeaways

• This couplet is a profound eulogy for Imam Ali, expressed by Mawlana from his own consciousness through the voice of a story character.
• Ali's courage as a 'divine lion' symbolizes divine power that transcends human capability.
• Ali's muruwwat, signifying his chivalry and magnanimity, is so boundless that human comprehension fails to grasp it, indicating his ultimate perfection.
• Mawlana prioritizes intrinsic ethical values (like muruwwat) over apparent strength (courage in battle) as the measure of true greatness.
• The verse alludes to the virtue of hilm (forbearance) and anger management, symbolized in the narrative of Ali's encounter with Amr ibn Abd Wudd.