M6:1061 — چون بدید آن خسته روی مصطفی / خر مغشیا فتاد او بر قفا

Translation: When that wounded one (Bilal) beheld Mustafa’s face, / He fell in a swoon, backward on his nape. Meaning: This verse recounts the involuntary reaction of Bilal, the Abyssinian, who, having endured immense suffering, was so overcome by the sight of the Prophet Muhammad's blessed face that he collapsed in a faint, signifying a profound spiritual impact and surrender.

This verse unveils a profound and mysterious event, in which Bilal the Abyssinian, that freed slave, is so utterly overwhelmed by the presence of the Prophet Mustafa (PBUH) that his body can no longer bear the intensity of this unmediated encounter. Rumi himself, deeply captivated by the Prophet, describes Bilal's state, emaciated from the wounds of affliction (like a 'toothpick'), with meticulous words.

The crucial point in understanding this verse lies in the phrase "khar mughashshiyā uftād ow bar qafā" (he fell in a swoon, backward on his nape). Rumi connects this state of self-loss to the event of God's manifestation on Mount Sinai and Prophet Moses's (PBUH) subsequent unconsciousness. As God stated: "Fa lammā tajallā rabbuhū li-l-jabali... wa kharra Mūsā ṣaʿiqan" (When his Lord manifested to the mountain... Moses fell down in a swoon). The Quranic term "ṣaʿiqan" denotes fainting from divine awe, and Rumi uses "mughashshiyān" here, carrying the same meaning of swoon and unconsciousness. This comparison elevates Bilal's experience beyond a mere physical faint, raising it to the level of an immensely powerful spiritual epiphany. In this moment, Bilal experiences something few can comprehend, just as Moses was overwhelmed by divine light.

This is not merely the description of an event; in this portrayal, Rumi also reveals his own ardent heart. He, who throughout the Masnavi and Divan-e Shams has openly declared his profound admiration for the Prophet, here yearns to be in Bilal's place. He wishes he were that suffering black slave, deemed worthy of such immense grace, to partake in this boundless bounty and favor alongside Mustafa. This sentiment, far from being envy, is a sublime expression of the desire for a direct, unmediated arrival at the source of divine grace.

After this state of unconsciousness, Bilal awakens with tears of joy, and the Prophet draws him close. Rumi states here: "Kas che dānad bakhsheshī ko rā rasīd" (Who knows what grace reached him?). This implies that the gift bestowed upon Bilal is indescribable and ineffable; it is like copper touched by the alchemist's elixir turning into pure gold, or a pauper unexpectedly finding a treasure, or a dying fish returned to the sea, or a lost caravan finding its way. These similes all point to the fundamental, salvific transformation brought about by this sacred encounter. The Prophet's presence not only made Bilal forget his suffering but fundamentally transformed his entire being, guiding him to an invaluable treasure of gnosis and love. This narrative, in essence, demonstrates the infinite power of a true saint's presence upon a receptive and yearning soul.

Key takeaways

• Beholding the Prophet's face led Bilal to a state of profound spiritual unconsciousness.
• Bilal's faint is compared to Moses's swoon upon divine manifestation, indicating the depth of its spiritual impact.
• Through this narrative, Rumi expresses his own yearning for such an unmediated union with the Prophet.
• The grace and bounty received from the Prophet are beyond description, leading to a complete transformation of Bilal's being.
• This event symbolizes the boundless power of a true saint's presence upon receptive and longing souls.