M6:3262 — گفت ای پشت و پناه هر نبیل / مرتجی و غوث ابناء السبیل

Translation: He said, "O' the support and refuge of every noble one! O' the haven of hope and succor for the sons of the road!" Meaning:* This verse offers high praise for a distinguished and benevolent individual, portraying them as a protector of the noble-hearted and a compassionate helper for stranded and needy travelers.

This verse from the Masnavi is spoken by a friend lamenting the passing of a benevolent figure, a "wali-ni'mat" (benefactor). Upon reaching the grave, the speaker, filled with sorrow and respect, begins a eulogy, addressing the deceased.

He calls out: "O' the support and refuge of every noble and distinguished human being! O' you who were the place of hope and the succor for all those stranded travelers, the destitute on the path!" The term nabil signifies nobility and honor, akin to the English word "noble." The person now interred beneath the earth held such a stature in life that they served as a sanctuary for people of virtue and honor.

Mortajā means the abode of hope and aspiration; it implies that people, in their tribulations, would turn to this individual, finding solutions to their dilemmas. Ghouth signifies a deliverer and helper, especially for abnāʾ al-sabīl. These "sons of the road" are travelers who have depleted their provisions, lost their way, or find themselves in need of assistance. This description highlights the profound generosity and widespread aid extended by the benefactor, who not only supported the elite and noble but also assisted common people, particularly the needy. Their benevolence mirrored the rizq-i ām (general sustenance) of God, which reaches everyone, whether a dry branch or a verdant one.

I have previously noted that, in the abjad numerical system, the word Muhammad holds the same numerical value as nabil. It is for this reason that Sayyid Ali Muhammad Bab referred to himself as "Ali qabl Nabil" (Ali preceding Nabil), alluding to this numerical equivalence. While Mowlana himself does not directly engage with this point, it is an intriguing historical and numerical aside within Islamic tradition.

Key takeaways

• This verse serves as both a eulogy and praise for a venerable character who, in life, was a refuge for both the needy and the noble.
• The concept of nabil (noble, honorable) signifies the individual's support for people of virtue and integrity.
• Being a mortajā (place of hope) and ghouth (succor) highlights the person's role as a source of hope and a problem-solver for all, especially the abnāʾ al-sabīl (stranded travelers).
• This praise symbolizes a vast generosity, akin to the divine rizq-i ām (general sustenance), encompassing everyone.
• Through the voices of his characters, Mowlana underscores the profound value of aiding and sheltering those in distress.