M6:4378 — از جهاز ابرهه هم‌چون دده / آن فقیران عرب توانگر شده

Translation: From Abraha's apparatus, like a beast he came, / Those poor Arabs became wealthy. Meaning: This verse refers to the historical event where Abraha's army, intending to destroy the Kaaba, was defeated, and its military provisions became spoils for the impoverished Arabs, enriching them. It symbolizes God's hidden grace (lutf-i khafī) turning apparent harm into benefit.

In this verse, Rumi points to one of the profoundest mystical teachings: lutf-i khafī, or God's hidden, subtle grace. This verse appears within the larger narrative of the Baghdadi merchant finding a treasure, which itself serves as a perfect illustration of this principle: an enemy's ill intent or a human's futile effort, by a miraculous turn, leads to unexpected good. Abraha, the ruler of Yemen, marched with a mighty army and elephants (the incident of the People of the Elephant, mentioned in the Quran) with the intention of destroying the Kaaba and shifting the center of pilgrimage to Yemen. He came with all his 'apparatus' (jahāz) and military might, like a 'beast' (dadeh), to Mecca to 'disgrace' (dhull) God's 'House' and turn the living into the dead. However, divine will dictated that this malevolent intention would not only fail but would, in fact, cause the Kaaba's 'glory' (ʿizzat) to multiply a hundredfold for the people of Mecca. Rumi here focuses on the material aspect of this lutf-i khafī: Abraha's 'apparatus,' brought for subjugation and destruction, became an enormous spoil of war after his army's defeat. These vast provisions and wealth fell into the hands of the 'poor Arabs' (faqīrān-i ʿArab), making them 'wealthy' (tavāngar). The enemy came with the intent to destroy, but unknowingly, he was bringing gold, silver, and wealth to the 'people of the House,' facilitating their enrichment. This is precisely the 'deviation' (kaj-ravī) that God turns into a 'harvest of beneficence' (maḥṣad-i iḥsān); a crooked path that leads to a bounty of grace. These meanings lead us to the profound saying of Imam Ali (AS): «عَرَفتُ اللهَ بِفَسخِ العَزائِمِ وَ نَقضِ الهِمَم» — 'I came to know God through the dissolution of firm intentions and the breaking of resolutions.' This means that often, humans pursue a goal with strong determination, but God 'dissolves' these intentions and 'breaks' these resolutions to demonstrate that the true governance of the world is in His power. Abraha came with all his resolve and determination, but God overturned his will, producing an outcome entirely contrary to his intention. This shows that sometimes deviations become preambles to guidance, and within darkness, light is hidden. Such a disposition emanates from God, 'the Possessor of Hidden Grace' (dhū'l-luṭf al-khafī), as Saʿdi also stated: «الا لا تَجزَعَنَّ اَخَ البَلیَّه فَلِلرَّحمانِ اَلطافٌ خَفیَّه» ('O brother in affliction, do not despair, for the All-Merciful has hidden graces.').

Key takeaways

• Hidden Grace (Lutf-i Khafī): Divine will can transform any evil or destructive intent into good and blessings.
• Abraha's Fate: His aim to disgrace the Kaaba led instead to its heightened glory and the enrichment of poor Arabs.
• The Enemy's Spoils: Abraha's military 'apparatus' became a source of wealth and prosperity for those he intended to destroy.
• Dissolution of Intentions (Faskh-i ʿAzā'im): Human plans and resolve, even the most formidable, can be overturned by divine will.
• Divine Providence: This story illustrates God's hidden providence, where even seemingly negative human actions are guided towards a greater good.