M6:3379 — از زن و زر و عقارم صبر هست / این تکلف نیست نی تزویریست

Translation: I have patience for my wife, and gold, and my possessions; This is no formality, nor is it hypocrisy. Meaning: This verse expresses the extreme sincerity of a lover who claims to be willing to sacrifice all material possessions, but not their beloved (here, the horse, which symbolizes the beloved).

This verse is uttered by an Emir in the story of Emad al-Mulk, who, in order to save his beloved horse, seeks the intercession of the vizier. What Rumi portrays here is the profound intensity of an attachment that transcends ordinary worldly concerns. "Wife, gold, and possessions" (زن و زر و عقار) symbolize all those things to which humans typically cling and are unwilling to relinquish. The Emir asserts with utmost certainty and sincerity that he can endure the loss of these; that is, he can forgo his wife, wealth, and properties. This statement, as Rumi explicitly states, "is no formality, nor is it hypocrisy" (این تکلف نیست نی تزویری است). This indicates a rare purity of intention and an unwavering resolve. Rumi subtly escalates this sincerity by challenging, "Test me, test me, in word and deed" (امتحان کن امتحان، گفت و قدم). This means: if you doubt the truth of my words, put me to the test, both in what I say and what I do. This verse signifies that true attachment, even if directed towards an earthly creature like a horse, can become so deeply rooted that it diminishes the value of the entire world in the eyes of the lover. It paints a picture of the degrees of love and sacrifice, even if its object initially appears material. In the mystical tradition, liberation from these worldly attachments is a fundamental prerequisite for achieving perfection and connecting with a higher truth. Here, Rumi uses the example of an earthly attachment to teach us the levels of readiness for such liberation. This story is a clear instance of how Rumi employs seemingly ordinary and terrestrial events to convey deeper spiritual and existential truths.

Key takeaways

• Unconditional sincerity and forthrightness in expressing devotion.
• Readiness to sacrifice worldly attachments for a profound love.
• The test of commitment lies in both word and deed.
• Worldly objects can symbolize deeper, more significant attachments.
• True devotion transcends conventional material attachments.