Discourses of Rumi

120 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIRumi answered: Whatever the Mongols seizeand give up returns into the grasp and treasury ofGod. For example, when you fill a jug or a barrelfrom the river and carry it away, that becomesyour property. So long as it is in the jug or barrel,nobody has the right to interfere. Whoever takesthe jug without permission is guilty of theft. Butonce they pour the water back into the river, itpasses out of ownership and is lawful for anyoneto take once again. So our property is unlawful tothem, while their property is lawful to us since bytheir giving it up they have returned it to the treasuryof God.Someone said: “When the Mongols first cameto these parts they were naked and bare. Theyrode on bullocks and their weapons were made ofwood. Now they are sleek and well-fed, they havesplendid Arab horses and carry fine arms.”Rumi said: When they were desperate andweak and had no strength, God helped them andanswered their prayer. Now, when they are sopowerful and mighty, God is destroying themwith the comforts of the feeblest, so they will realizeit was through God’s bounty and support that