Interpretation of the Thirty-First Rule of Love

Rule Number 31 — If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to soften inside. For your faith to be rock solid, your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. Through an illness, accident, loss, or fright, one way or another, we all are faced with incidents that teach us how to become less selfish and judgmental, and more compassionate and generous. Yet some of us learn the lesson and manage to become milder, while some others end up becoming even harsher than before. The only way to get closer to Truth is to expand your heart so that it will encompass all humanity and still have room for more Love.

— Shams Tabrizi, to Aladdin

Context - This rule appears when Rumi’s son, Aladdin, becomes angry after Shams sends Rumi to buy wine. In Islam, consuming wine is considered a grave sin, so Aladdin’s reaction stems from religious conviction. In response, Shams shares this rule to highlight the importance of openness and receptivity toward different beliefs, perspectives, and paths.

Interpretation within the Story - This moment reflects a subtle meeting point between religion and mysticism. From a religious standpoint, Aladdin’s anger is understandable, as a devout Muslim is expected to avoid wine. However, he is unaware of the mystical dimension, where intention matters more than outward action. There is a significant difference between buying wine and consuming it.

Shams deliberately creates a situation to test Rumi. By asking him to go to the tavern, he is not promoting wrongdoing, but examining Rumi’s devotion. Is Rumi more attached to his spiritual path or to his public image as Mewlana? Is he willing to risk his reputation in obedience to his master?

Through this rule, Shams gently points out to Aladdin that he must learn to be less judgmental and more open to perspectives beyond his own.

Deeper Interpretation Beyond the Story - This rule feels especially relevant today, when many people are closed off to viewpoints that differ from their own, particularly in matters of religion and belief.

When Shams speaks of inner softness as the foundation of strong faith, he implies that only those who are truly secure in their beliefs can remain open to others. A person who resists opposing views often does so out of inner doubt and fear—fear that their own beliefs might be challenged or proven wrong. In contrast, someone who is deeply rooted in their faith has nothing to fear. They can listen, reflect, and even find harmony across different systems of thought.

The second part of the rule reminds us that every life experience is an opportunity for growth. Each challenge, just like the one created by Shams, is a test. In this situation, both Rumi and Aladdin were being tested. Rumi responded with trust and surrender, while Aladdin reacted with judgment, missing the deeper lesson. As Shams suggests, some people evolve through such experiences, while others become more hardened. The choice to learn and grow always lies within us.

The final aspect of the rule speaks about receptivity. Spiritually, a truly awakened being embraces all without discrimination, recognizing the divine in everyone. On a practical level too, growth in life requires openness, the willingness to learn from every person and every situation.

To evolve, one must remain receptive, allowing the heart to expand continuously toward greater understanding and love.

Gratitude!!!