In Poem No. 16 of “English Book III” by Jalaluddin Rumi, the poet explores the profound attributes of God. Rumi emphasizes that these attributes, such as ‘Seeing,’ ‘Hearing,’ and ‘Knowing,’ are not merely empty titles or random labels attributed to the Divine. Instead, they serve a purpose—to guide and inspire human behavior.
When God calls Himself ‘Seeing,’ it is to remind us that His all-seeing eye should deter us from sinning, encouraging us to lead a righteous life. Similarly, His attribute as ‘Hearing’ reminds us that God is attentive to our actions and words, encouraging us to avoid foul discourse. Lastly, ‘Knowing’ signifies that God’s knowledge encompasses all, urging us to fear Him and refrain from plotting evil. Rumi’s verses illustrate how these divine attributes are not arbitrary, but rather profound reminders of God’s presence and guidance in our lives.