M6:1409 — صبر جملهٔ انبیا با منکران / کردشان خاص حق و صاحب‌قران

Translation: The patience of all prophets with their deniers, Made them God's special ones and ṣāḥib-qirān (masters of auspicious fortune).

Meaning: This verse articulates how the steadfast patience of the prophets in confronting those who rejected their message elevated them to a unique status with God, granting them both divine favor and profound spiritual authority.

Mowlana, in this profound verse, unveils one of the pinnacles of the philosophy of patience (ṣabr), recounting the sublime consequences of steadfastness on the path of prophethood and spiritual guardianship. The phrase, 'The patience of all prophets with their deniers,' speaks of both an inner and outer jihad; a struggle in which prophets not only grappled with their own internal difficulties but also persevered in the face of the obstinacy, ignorance, and denial of the masses. Here, the deniers (munkirān) are not merely external adversaries; they are instruments in the hands of divine destiny, serving to test and refine the very essence of the prophets.

This is a subtle point Mowlana alludes to, resonating deeply with the noble Quranic verse: Wa kadhalika jaʿalnā li-kulli nabīyin ʿaduwwan min al-mujrimīn (And thus We have appointed for every prophet enemies from among the criminals). God Himself tells us that He has ordained enemies for the prophets. This, however, does not mean that God directly creates malevolent beings to obstruct the virtuous; rather, it is an interpretation of a phenomenon that occurs. Since all existence and everything that transpires within it is under divine will and providence, from Mowlana's perspective, even the emergence of munkirān ultimately serves a divine function. These enmities become battlegrounds for the greater and lesser jihad; arenas where the patience of the prophets matures, and their existential core is polished. For this reason, prophets never complain; instead, they perceive these sufferings as a bridge to transcendence, much like Mowlana describes the separation from the neyestān (reed-bed) as a travelogue of the soul, not a lament.

The outcome of such patience and perseverance is twofold: Firstly, God makes them His 'special ones' (khāṣṣ-i ḥaqq). This means they become intimates and chosen ones of the Divine presence, which is the highest station of spiritual proximity. Secondly, they become ṣāḥib-qirān. The term ṣāḥib-qirān has roots in ancient astrology and divination. Qirān refers to the conjunction or close proximity of two celestial bodies, and if this conjunction occurred between two auspicious planets (such as Jupiter and Venus), the person born at that moment was called ṣāḥib-qirān and was deemed to possess great fortune and destiny in life. However, over time, this term transcended its astrological usage and came to refer to any powerful or influential sovereign or individual, as if fortune and destiny had favored them. Thus, Mowlana, through this expression, suggests that the prophets' patience not only elevated them to divine proximity but also bestowed upon them spiritual power and persuasive eloquence that, both outwardly and inwardly, rendered them 'masters of their fate' and 'authoritative figures.'

This verse is part of a broader intellectual framework within the Masnavi that views patience not merely as a moral virtue but as a cosmic and transformative force. Mowlana repeatedly emphasizes, in preceding and subsequent verses, how adversities and 'enemies' can serve as ladders for our progress, provided we approach them with patience and wisdom. The ill-tempered friend, the thorn alongside the rose, milk emerging from blood and dung—these are all metaphors Mowlana employs to elaborate on this point. Just as the sage tells the peacock that its beautiful plumage is its mortal enemy and one must struggle with attachment to it (not the plumage itself), so too our body, this 'armor full of regret' (zireh-e por-ḥayf), with all its imperfections, is necessary for 'jihad.' These 'enemies' are not meant to uproot us but to strengthen us in our struggle against them. Patience transforms these adversities into agents of perfection, ultimately yielding sweet fruit, even if the initial process appears bitter and challenging.

Key takeaways

• Patience and steadfastness in the face of deniers and adversities lead to divine proximity and chosenness.
• Adversaries and challenges are not merely obstacles, but instruments for growth and refinement of one's essential being.
• Spiritual authority and mastery (ṣāḥib-qirān) are the ultimate rewards of inner and outer jihad against the self and the world.
• Mowlana, through this verse, offers a philosophy of patience that transforms suffering into an agent of transcendence.