Discourses of Rumi

Rumi’s love and honor for all religious traditionswas not always popular in his day, and oftenprovoked criticism from the more dogmatic. Astory is told that one such public challenge camefrom a Muslim dignitary, Qonavi, who confrontedRumi before an audience. “You claim to be atone with 72 religious sects,” said Qonavi, “butthe Jews cannot agree with the Christians, and theChristians cannot agree with Muslims. If theycannot agree with each other, how could youagree with them all?” To this Rumi answered,“Yes, you are right, I agree with you too.”Although kings were his followers, Rumi’s criticscould never understand why Rumi’s greatestlove and dedication went to what they called,“the tailors, the cloth-sellers, and the petty shopkeepers- uncouth and uncultured ruffians.” Yeteven amongst these, his dearest companions,Rumi allowed no vanity. The story is told that oneday, while Rumi was in deep contemplation, surroundedby his disciples, a drunkard walked inshouting and stumbling. The man staggeredtoward Rumi, and then fell on him. To Rumi’s followerssuch a disgrace of their teacher was intol-vii