In Book One of the Masnavi, during the narrative of Imam Ali and his future murderer, Jalaluddin Rumi explores the theme of predestination through the concept of "Jaffa al-Qalam" (the pen has dried). When the stirrup-holder begs Ali to kill him and prevent the prophesied murder, Ali refuses, stating "برو جف القلم" (Go, the pen has dried). Rumi uses this encounter to illustrate the profound Sufi doctrine of submission to divine destiny, asserting that human volition cannot alter the eternal decrees written by the pen of God.