Malfooz of Maulana Rumi

discourse40

Jauhar, the Sultan’s servant, said, “We have been told that we must repeat the Muslim credo five times during our lifetime. What if we don’t understand the words, or do not memorize them correctly? After death, what questions will we be asked, seeing

discourse65

Those who are living in Hell are happier there than they would be in this world, for in Hell their awareness turns to God, while in this world they forget. Nothing is sweeter than the awareness of God. Therefore, their desire to return to this world

discourse15

Within people there is a longing and a desire such that, even if a hundred thousand worlds were theirs to own, still they would find no rest or comfort. They try every trade and craft, studying astronomy, medicine and every other subject, but they reach

discourse28

The long entreating prayer-song of seekers and travelers tells a story of lives occupied in labor and devotion with each effort assigned to its special time. It is as though an overseer of habit draws them to their specific task. For example, when first

Discourse9

Someone said: “A man came who wanted to see you. He kept saying, ‘I wish I could have seen the Master.” Rumi said: He does not see the Master at this moment because in truth the desire that filled him, namely to see the Master, was a veil hiding the

discourse38

The Prophet was seated with his Companions. Some unbelievers began to denounce and lecture him. He said, “Well, you all agree there is one person in the world who receives revelation. Revelation descends upon him—it does not descend on everyone. That

discourse34

Rumi said: I saw our friend in a dream in the form of a wild animal with the skin of a fox upon him. He was on a small balcony, looking down the stairs. I moved as if to grab him and he raised his hands, leaping about like this and that. Then I saw Jalal

discourse53

Rumi was asked the meaning of the following lines from his Masnavi: You are that very thought, my brother: Those bones and nerves are something other. Rumi said: You should think about this. “That very thought” in reality is not “thought” at all, and

discourse41

We are like bowls on the surface of the water. The direction a bowl moves is controlled not by the bowl, but by the water. Someone said: “That is a general statement. But some people know they are on the surface of the water, while some do not know.” Rumi

discourse62

Some say that love is the cause of service, but this isn’t true. Rather, the Beloved’s desire is the true source of service. If the Beloved wishes the lover to help, then the lover provides that help. If the Beloved does not want it, then the lover gives

discourse63

Lovers have heartaches no cure can mend, neither sleeping, traveling, nor eating—only the sight of the beloved. “Meet the Friend and your sickness will end.” This is so true that even if a hypocrite sits in the company of believers, under their influence

discourse14

Sheikh Ibrahim said: “Whenever Saif-al-Din Farrukh ordered someone to be given a beating, he would immediately occupy himself until the beating was over, so that no one could intercede.” Rumi said: Whatever you see in this world corresponds exactly with

discourse24

People build these sacred monuments for a particular reason: either to display their generosity for the sake of fame, or to gain a reward in heaven. God should be the true object in honoring the saints, their tombs and graves. The saints do not need

discourse44

Everyone who sets out on a journey has a particular idea in mind: “Once I arrive I will be able to gain advantages and improve my affairs. My business will be set in order, my friends will be delighted, and I shall defeat my enemies.” Such are the ideas

discourse26

Rumi said: If I appear lacking in gratitude and appreciation for the kindness and support you show me, both directly and indirectly, it is not out of arrogance or indifference, nor is it because I don’t know the importance of returning your favor and

discourse21

Rumi said: Sharif Paysukhta has written: God dispenses Its grace, Indifferent to time and space, Itself, the Spirit of the Whole Is independent of our soul. No matter what our ranging thought Within its compass may be brought, We find adoration for

Discourse3

The Amir said: “Night and day my heart and Soul are intent upon serving God, but because of my responsibilities with Mongol affairs I have no time for such service.” Rumi answered: Those works too are work done for God, since they are the means of providing

discourse60

The Prophet says that Abu Bakr was superior to the other Companions, not due to his prayer and fasting, but because that special favor—the love of God—was with him. On the resurrection day, a person’s prayers will be placed in the balance along with

discourse39

Husam al-Din Arzanjani, before entering the service and society of dervishes, was a great debater. Wherever he went, he engaged vigorously in argument and controversy. He used to debate well and spoke excellently, but once he took up the company of dervishes

Discourse4

Someone said: “There is something I have forgotten.” Rumi replied: There is one thing in this world that must never be forgotten. If you were to forget all else, but did not forget that, then you would have no reason to worry. But if you performed and

Discourse8

Someone asked: “What is greater than prayer?” Rumi said: One answer is that the soul of prayer is greater than prayer, as I have already explained. A second answer is that faith is greater. Prayer is a series of daily actions, while faith is continuous.

discourse25

Someone entered, and Rumi said: He is beloved and humble, like a branch loaded with fruit—the fruit weighs it down. A branch with no fruit raises its head up high, like the white poplar, but when that fruit exceeds all bounds, they put props under the

discourse61

Hearing something over and over from many people carries the same authority as seeing for yourself. For example, you’ve been told that you were born to your father and mother. You never saw this with your own eyes, but after hearing it many times from

discourse55

Someone said: “Qadi Izz al-Din sends his greetings, and always speaks of you in the most approving terms.” Rumi answered: Whoever remembers us, and speaks us well, Long may the world of their high merit tell. When people speak well of others, those good

discourse42

People who are interested in their scholarly studies think that if they faithfully attend our meetings they will forget and lose all they have learned. On the contrary, when they come here their sciences acquire soul. For all sciences, when they acquire

discourse27

It is better not to question what Sufis say, since this obliges them to invent a lie. For if a materialist questions a Sufi, the Sufi must give some answer. But how can they be completely truthful with someone incapable of understanding? The materialist’s

discourse66

Siraj al-Din said: “I was speaking to someone about a problem when something within me began to ache.” Rumi said: That something is put in charge of you to prevent you from speaking when you should not speak. Usually it is so subtle that it goes unnoticed,

discourse59

Someone said, “The astronomers say: You claim there is something beyond the heavens and this terrestrial ball. We believe, apart from what we see, nothing exists. If something exists, then show us where it is!” Rumi answered: Your demand is invalid from

discourse70

Rumi said: Some people say that in the human soul is an evil not found in animals and wild beasts, but this does not mean that people are worse than beasts. Rather, this evil character and darkness of soul in the human being hides a secret essential

discourse12

After the Amir arrived, Rumi said: I’ve been longing to call on you. But, knowing you were busy with the interests of the people, I spared you the trouble. The Amir answered: “This duty has been pressing upon me. Now that the emergency has ended, from

discourse52

Rumi was asked the meaning of the following lines: When love attains its ultimate goal Desire turns to dislike. Rumi explained: Dislike is a narrow world compared to friendship. That is why people run from hatred to find friendship. But the world of

discourse32

Knowingness is the perfect Sheik. Inspired and true thoughts are His disciples ranked according God’s closeness to them. As each thought expands it comes nearer to knowingness and farther from doubt. All thoughts suck milk at the breast of certainty,

discourse7

The son of the Amir entered.Rumi said: Your father is always occupied with God. His faith is overwhelming, and reveals itself in his words. One day your father said, “The people of Rum have urged me to give my daughter in marriage to the Tartars, so

discourse43

Our friend, Saif al-Bukhari has gone to Egypt. Everyone likes a mirror, and is in love with reflections of their own attributes and attainments, but our friend misses the true nature of his face. He thinks this bodily veil is a face, and the mirror of

discourse29

A Christian by the name of al-Jarrah said: “A number of Sheik Sadr al-Din’s companions drank with me, and they said, “Jesus is God, as you claim. We confess that to be truth, but we conceal and deny it to preserve the honor of our community.” Rumi said:

Discourse2

Someone said: “Our Master does not utter a word.” Rumi answered: Well, it was the thought of me that brought you to my presence. This thought of me did not speak with you saying, “How are things with you?” The thought without words drew you here. If

discourse57

Akmal al-Din said: “I love our Master and desire to see him. Even heaven is blotted out of my mind. I find comfort in his image without the need for any discourses or lofty ideas. I rest in his beauty. Pleasure comes to me from his very mien—even from

discourse64

Every science learned in this world through study and experiment is the science of bodies. The science acquired by crossing the portal of death is the science of Soul. Knowing about the science of “I am God” is the science of bodies, but to become “I

discourse46

Sheikh Ibrahim is a noble dervish. When we see him, we are reminded of our beloved friends. Our Master Shams used to refer to him as “our Sheikh Ibrahim,” showing his affection. Divine favor is one thing, but personal effort is another. The prophets

discourse45

Rumi asked: What is the name of that youth? Someone said: “Saif al-Din (“Sword of the Faith”). Rumi said: No one can judge a sword while it is still in its scabbard. Truly, the Sword of the Faith is one who defends the way, dedicates their efforts wholly

discourse69

Between the human being and God are just two veils—health and wealth— all other veils come from these. Those who are healthy do not look for God and do not see Him, but as soon as pain afflicts them they cry out, “O God! O God!” calling out and surrendering

discourse33

Everyone is in the midst of their own need. No living creature can be separated from its need. “Their need cleaves to them closer Than their father and mother.” That need is their leash, drawing them this way and that, just like a nosering and chain.

discourse20

Rumi said: Night and day you are at war, attempting to reform the character of the opposite sex, to cleanse their impurity and to correct their faults. It is better to cleanse yourself through them than trying to cleanse them through yourself. Reform

discourse18

Someone said: “Ibn Muqri recites the Koran correctly.” Rumi said: Yes, he recites the form of the Koran correctly, but he has no knowledge of its meaning. This is proven by the fact that when he is questioned for its meaning, he cannot answer. He recites

discourse 71

The difference between birds on the wing, and lovers of God, is that birds always fly in a certain direction, while lovers of God fly on the wings of their desire away from all directions. Every horse has its stable, every beast its pen, every bird its

discourse22

Rumi said to Ibn Chavish: The root of the matter is that you should guard against this backbiting when talking about Sheikh Salah al-Din. Perhaps this will remove these dark shadows and clouds that surround you. How can you defend yourself? People have

discourse49

Rumi said: A man was leading the prayers, and chanted from the Koran: “The Bedouins are stubborn in unbelief and hypocrisy.” By chance a Bedouin chieftain was present. He gave the chanter a good box on the ears. During the second genuflection, the leader

Discourse5

The Amir, surprised by an unexpected visit from Rumi, said: “Master, how gracious of you to honor me in this way. I never expected this. It never even entered my mind that I could be worthy of such an honor. By rights I should be standing night and day

discourse54

Rumi said: When I first began composing poetry, a great urge compelled me. At that time the urge was strong. Now the desire has grown weaker and is declining, but still it has its effect. Such is the way of God. He gives life to things in the time of

discourse1

Rumi stated: Mohammed, the great Prophet, once said, “The worst of scholars are those who visit princes, and the best of princes are those who visit scholars. Wise is the prince who stands at the door of the poor, and wretched are the poor who stand

Maulana Rumi

Malfoozat of Maulana Rumi