M6:3021 — لا ابالی گشته زو و وام‌جو / بر امید قلزم اکرام‌خو

Translation: Having become lā-ubālī (carefree/reckless) and wām-jo (debt-seeking) because of him, In hope of that qulzum (ocean) of ikrām-khū (generosity-natured). Meaning: This verse describes a dervish who, utterly confident in the boundless generosity of the Tabriz muḥtasib, recklessly incurred debts, feeling no worry or concern.

This verse emerges within a profound Masnavi narrative, recounting the tale of a dervish who, backed by the boundless generosity of Badr al-Din Omar, the muḥtasib of Tabriz, recklessly and unreservedly incurred substantial debts. This state of "lā-ubālī" (carefree recklessness) on the dervish's part stems from a deep conviction and certainty; a certainty that frees him from the typical worries and anxieties of debtors.

Rumi subtly likens the muḥtasib to a "qulzum-i ikrām-khū" (an ocean whose innate disposition is generosity). This imagery paints a picture of an infinite wellspring of grace and munificence, against which any material debt or need appears trivial and insignificant. The dervish's actions are not based on rational calculations but on an absolute "hope" and heartfelt conviction, connecting him to this ocean of generosity.

This "lā-ubālī" is not a thoughtless indifference; rather, it is a hallmark of a spiritual state of trust and fearlessness that can only arise from knowing an inexhaustible source. We can extend this to an analogy of the relationship between a disciple and a master, or a seeker and the Divine. When one connects to an ocean of divine grace, the worries of worldly material deficiencies vanish from the heart. This is the same state that Rumi, in subsequent verses, likens to being "warmed at the back by the sun of Arabia" — one who is assured of the Prophet of Islam's support has no fear of Abu Lahab's wrath. The dervish in this story likewise benefits from a profound backing by an inexhaustible source of benevolence, which keeps him joyful and smiling, free from debt worries, a state denied to most debtors. This is an allegory for how connecting to a greater, more generous truth can liberate one from smaller concerns, granting peace and intrepidity.

Key takeaways

• Unbounded certainty in the grace and generosity of an inexhaustible source.
• Fearlessness and a 'carefree' attitude arising from deep trust, not indifference.
• The source of bounty is likened to an "ocean of generosity" (qulzum-i ikrām-khū).
• Liberation from material worries through connection to a greater truth.
• The manifestation of profound 'backing' (pusht-garmi) in peace of mind when facing challenges.