40.

Project Gutenberg EPUB edition Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
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Jelāl once wrote a note to the Perwāna, interceding for a disciple who had been involved in an act of homicide, and had taken refuge in the house of another.
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The Perwāna demurred; saying it was a very grave matter, a question of blood. Jelāl thereupon facetiously replied: “A homicide is popularly termed ‘a son of ‘Azrā’īl (the angel of death).’ Being such, what on earth is he to do, unless he kill some one?”
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This repartee so pleased the Perwāna, that he pardoned the culprit, and paid himself to the heirs of the slain man the price of his blood.

Source attribution

The Mesnevi, Project Gutenberg eBook #61724

39. 41.