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    Quarrelling Over Names

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    Abdur Rahman
    Rumi tells a story of four men arguing over grapes, each calling them by a different name in their native language. They come to blows in their disagreement over the name, not understanding the hidden meaning. Had a master of languages been there, he could have reconciled them by explaining they are all referring to the same fruit, and used his wisdom to satisfy all their desires from a single coin instead of fighting. The poem suggests that religious disputes often arise from differences in terminology rather than substance, and a spiritual guide can bring unity through understanding the true meaning behind words.

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    Quarrelling Over Names

    Uploaded by

    Abdur Rahman
    79 views2 pages
    Rumi tells a story of four men arguing over grapes, each calling them by a different name in their native language. They come to blows in their disagreement over the name, not understanding the hidden meaning. Had a master of languages been there, he could have reconciled them by explaining they are all referring to the same fruit, and used his wisdom to satisfy all their desires from a single coin instead of fighting. The poem suggests that religious disputes often arise from differences in terminology rather than substance, and a spiritual guide can bring unity through understanding the true meaning behind words.

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    Rumi tells a story of four men arguing over grapes, each calling them by a different name in their native language. They come to blows in their disagreement over the name, not understanding the hidden meaning. Had a master of languages been there, he could have reconciled them by explaining they are all referring to the same fruit, and used his wisdom to satisfy all their desires from a single coin instead of fighting. The poem suggests that religious disputes often arise from differences in terminology rather than substance, and a spiritual guide can bring unity through understanding the true meaning behind words.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    79 views2 pages

    Quarrelling Over Names

    Uploaded by

    Abdur Rahman
    Rumi tells a story of four men arguing over grapes, each calling them by a different name in their native language. They come to blows in their disagreement over the name, not understanding the hidden meaning. Had a master of languages been there, he could have reconciled them by explaining they are all referring to the same fruit, and used his wisdom to satisfy all their desires from a single coin instead of fighting. The poem suggests that religious disputes often arise from differences in terminology rather than substance, and a spiritual guide can bring unity through understanding the true meaning behind words.

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    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Quarrelling Over Names1

    Jalaluddin Rumi

    Our first text introduces us to Jalaluddin Rumi (d.1276), one of the most important Sufi practitioners and poets. Rumis masterwork is his Masnavi-yi Ma`navi (or Spiritual Couplets), an epic poem (mathnawi) on the spiritual life, consisting of well over 25,000 verses. It has remained a vitally important source of Sufi ideas since it was first written. In this passage, Rumi tells a story of people fighting over grapes. Useful Questions: What are the key concepts in this passage? What do you think the point of this poem is? What does it suggest about attitudes to God and religious life? Who is the master of secrets and what role do they play in this story?

    Pass beyond (external) names and look at the (underlying) qualities, so that the qualities may show you the way to the essence. The opposition (among) people takes place because of names. Peace occurs when they go to the real meaning. The argument of four persons over grapes, which each one had understood by a different name A man gave four persons a silver coin. The (first) one (who was a Persian) said, I will give this for (buying) some angur. Another one (who) was an Arab said, No! I want `inab not angur, O deceitful (man)! The (third) one was a Turk and he said, This (coin) is mine. I dont want `inab. I want uzum. The (fourth) one, an Anatolian Greek, said, Quit (all) this talk! I want istafil. In (their) disagreement, those individuals were (soon) in a fight since they were uninformed of the hidden (meaning) of the names. They were striking at each other (with their) fists out of ignorance. They were full of foolishness and (were) devoid of knowledge.

    Taken from http://www.dar-al-masavi.org

    If a master of (the meaning of) secrets, a venerable one (with knowledge) of numerous languages, had been there, he would have given them reconciliation and peace. Then he would have said, By means of this one silver coin, I will grant the wishes of all of you. This coin will cause effects such as these when you submit (your) hearts (to me) without deceit. Your one coin will become (like) four (coins) for the desired (result). (And) four enemies will become (as) one from unity (of friendship) The words of each one of you offer (only) fighting and separation. But my words will bring you harmonious agreement. Therefore, you be quiet (and) stay silent! So that I may become your tongue for (needed) conversation. Tranquillity and peaceful association come from (hearing) the sayings of the spiritual master, (but) the words of envious people bring discord and separation. Jalaluddin Rumi, Masnavi-yi Ma`navi 2.3679-3672; 3699

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