Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 179All Muslims say, “We will enter the HolyMosque.” Some Muslims say, “If God wills, wewill enter.” Those who use the expression “if Godwills” are the true lovers of God. For the loverdoes not think that they’re in charge of things anda free agent. They recognize that the Beloved is incharge. Hence they say, “If this Beloved wills, Iwill enter.”Now the literalists take the Holy Mosque to bethe Kaaba in Mecca. However, lovers and theelect of God take the Holy Mosque to meanunion with God. So they say, “If God wills, wewill attain Him and be honored by the sight ofHim.” For God to say, “If God wills,” is veryrare. It is the tale of a stranger, and only a strangercan understand such a tale. Yet God has certainservants who are so well loved that He seeks themout, showering them with blessings, and carryingout all the actions of a lover. Just as the loverwould say, “If God wills, I will enter,” so Godsays on behalf of that saint, “If God wills.”If I were to try explaining this subtlety, even thesaints who have attained God would lose the