M6:3536 — خواستم تا آن به دست خود دهم / در فلان دفتر نوشتست این قسم

Translation: I wished to give it with my own hand; this intention is written in such-and-such a ledger. Meaning: This verse speaks from the perspective of a wealthy merchant who, before his death, wished to personally settle a debt and had recorded this intention and will in a ledger.

This verse is spoken by the wealthy Khwaja (merchant) in the story of the debtor and the middleman, which Rumi narrates in Book 6 of the Mathnawi. After his death, the Khwaja appears in a dream to the middleman, revealing that he had hidden a treasure for his indebted friend and had recorded his will in a ledger. He states: "I wished to give it with my own hand," meaning he intended to personally deliver this wealth to the debtor, but fate intervened. This desire for direct involvement, even from beyond the grave, indicates a profound commitment and an otherworldly sense of responsibility. It is as if the Khwaja wishes to oversee the execution of his will from the afterlife itself.

The emphasis on "this intention is written in such-and-such a ledger" highlights the importance of formally recording this purpose. This was not merely a fleeting wish but a serious, documented decision, thus imbuing it with legitimacy. This formal authentication elevates the will from a mere fantasy to an emphatic ethical decree that must be executed even after death.

I must point out a jurisprudential (fiqhi) detail here that warrants reflection. In Islamic jurisprudence—both Shi'i and, I strongly believe, Sunni—a person can only will away one-third of their assets after death, and only after all existing debts are settled. Yet, in Rumi's narrative, the Khwaja appears to dedicate all, or a substantial portion far exceeding one-third, of his wealth for this purpose, and this instruction is conveyed through a dream. Rumi, consciously or unconsciously, transcends conventional fiqhi boundaries here, prioritizing a higher ethical-mystical truth over a legal ruling. The dream, in this context, functions as a form of 'ethical revelation' that supersedes earthly laws. This exemplifies Rumi's perspective, which sometimes breaks free from conventional frameworks to unveil the profound depth of human truth: where generosity and heartfelt commitment transcend the boundaries of life and conventional rules, God Himself guarantees its execution and brings it to fruition in an unconventional manner. Thus, the Mathnawi becomes a narrative of a 'generosity' that is free from any 'limit' or 'bond.'

Key takeaways

• Ethics over Jurisprudence: Rumi occasionally prioritizes ethical truth over legal rulings.
• Unconditional Commitment: The Khwaja's desire to settle his debt persisted even after death.
• Validating Intention: The recording of the will in a ledger gave it formality and permanence.
• Death and Responsibility: Death is not the end of spiritual and ethical obligations.
• Dreams as Ethical Revelation: The Khwaja's will is affirmed from the unseen realm through a dream.