M6:3545 — ور بگوید او نخواهم این فره / گو بگیر و هر که را خواهی بده

Translation: And if he says, "I do not want this abundance," Tell him, "Take it and give it to whoever you wish." Meaning: This verse emphasizes unconditional and irreversible giving; even if the recipient declines, the bounty must not return to the giver but should be distributed to others.

In this beyt, Rumi recounts a story that contains profound teachings on generosity and its unconditional nature. We encounter the extraordinary will of a deceased rich man, who, in a dream, instructs a middleman (paymard) to deliver a fortune he had set aside to an indebted friend in need. The central point here is that this giving is absolute and irreversible.

The deceased man explicitly states that he has made "vows to God" (nadhā kardan) that not "a single grain" (ḥabbeh-ī) of this silver should return to him or his family. This is evident when the impoverished debtor says, "I do not want this abundance"—meaning, I do not need all this wealth and bounty—the middleman is commanded: "Tell him, 'Take it and give it to whoever you wish.'" This directive indicates that ownership of that wealth has been irrevocably transferred from the original owner and must under no circumstances revert to him. Even if the primary recipient declines it, it has no right to return to the giver; it must reach others, the deserving.

Rumi further solidifies this meaning with compelling metaphors. He says: "I will not take back a naqir from what I've given; milk never returns to the breast." A "naqir" (نقیر) signifies something extremely minute and insignificant, like the tiny indentation on a date pit. This emphasizes that not even the smallest fraction will be reclaimed. And "milk drawn from the breast," which cannot return to its source, is a clear analogy for a gift that no longer belongs to its donor and has no path of return.

Beyond this, Rumi refers to a prophetic Hadith that unveils the deep ethical dimension of such giving: "One who retracts a gift, according to the Prophet's saying, is like an impure dog." The noble Hadith states: «العائد فی هبته کالکلب یعود فی قیئه», meaning, "One who takes back his gift is like a dog returning to its vomit." This powerful and severe expression demonstrates the ethical reprehensibility of retracting a gift. Although in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh)—as I have often stated—retracting a gift is permitted under certain conditions (provided the recipient has not made any alterations to it), Rumi approaches the issue from an ethical and mystical perspective, deeming such an act blameworthy and undesirable.

The message of this beyt and its accompanying story is clear: true giving is absolute and irreversible. The property exits the individual's sphere of ownership, and even their spirit no longer holds a claim to it. If the recipient declines it, it must be given to others to reach the deserving. This embodies the zenith of detachment from worldly possessions and complete generosity, values highly esteemed in Rumi's mystical school. It is a form of spiritual charity where, even if someone hesitates to accept it, it must not return to the original treasury but must flow towards good and to those in need. This means resolving the difficulties of the afflicted, even against their own reluctance.

Key takeaways

• True generosity is unconditional and eternal; even if the recipient declines, it does not revert to the giver.
• Once a gift is given, its ownership is irrevocably transferred from the individual; it should no longer belong to them.
• The Prophetic Hadith strongly condemns the retraction of a gift, likening it to an abhorrent act.
• This verse emphasizes the supremacy of ethics and mysticism over purely juridical rules regarding giving.
• The ultimate goal is to alleviate the plight of the needy, even if they themselves are hesitant to accept.