M6:188 — چون خضر و الیاس مانی در جهان / تا زمین گردد ز لطفت آسمان

Translation: May you remain in the world like Khidr (the Green One) and Ilyās (Elijah), So that by your grace, the earth may become like heaven. Meaning: Mowlana, in this verse, prays for Ḥusāmuddīn Chalabī, wishing him an immortal life akin to the prophets Khidr and Ilyās, and that his benevolent presence would transform the earthly realm into a heavenly one.

I interpret this verse within the context of Mowlana's profound praise for Ḥusāmuddīn Chalabī. Mowlana, despite his immense stature, never fully attributes the Masnavi to himself; instead, he consistently acknowledges his debt to Ḥusāmuddīn. In this specific beyt, Mowlana expresses a wish for Ḥusāmuddīn that transcends ordinary human lifespan: an eternal existence like Khidr and Ilyās.

Khidr and Ilyās, these two legendary prophets, have long been symbols of immortality and continuity in Islamic culture. Khidr is believed to guard the dry lands and Ilyās the seas, both having drunk from the Water of Life and remaining immortal. Mowlana's prayer for Ḥusāmuddīn, "May you remain in the world like Khidr and Ilyās," is not merely a wish for longevity, but for a lasting and transformative spiritual presence. This presence is so potent that it can "make the earth like heaven by your grace." In other words, through Ḥusāmuddīn's benevolence and spiritual influence, this earthly realm can be elevated to a lofty, celestial plane.

However, a deeper point lies in the context of this praise. Mowlana explicitly states that he cannot fully articulate all that he feels for Ḥusāmuddīn. He openly declares this in the preceding and following verses: "I would have recounted but a fraction of your kindness / Were it not for the pomp of the evil eye." He is concerned about the "evil eye" (cheshm-e bad) and the harm that arises from envy and ill-will. Mowlana firmly believed that "most people died from envy, from the evil eye," and he himself had suffered from such wounds.

Beyond the "evil eye," the concept of "rotten conventions" (nāmūshāy-e pūsideh) is also relevant. Mowlana, in essence, complains about himself and the environment that prevents him from fully expressing the truth. These "rotten conventions" are societal norms that shackle individuals, deterring them from speaking the truth for fear of public opinion or blame. The example of Abū Ṭālib, the Prophet Muhammad's uncle, is illuminating here. According to Mowlana, Abū Ṭālib also concealed his faith out of fear of public opinion and the condemnation of the Quraysh elders—though Shīʿa interpretations differ on this point, affirming his faith. The crucial insight is that these "rotten conventions," or guarding matters unworthy of such zeal, obstruct the articulation of truth.

Thus, this magnificent prayer for Ḥusāmuddīn, in its grandeur, contains a hidden code and an implicit reference. In circumstances where he feels constrained by "rotten conventions" and fearful of the "evil eye," Mowlana utters such a prayer, thereby expressing the depth of his admiration in the guise of supplication and through symbolic language: "Except in رمز (ramz, symbol/secret) through mention of others' states / I cannot articulate the explanation of your state." This exemplifies Mowlana's boundless generosity and greatness, as he holds nothing back, even considering the meanings of the Masnavi as "spirits" that Ḥusāmuddīn drew from the unseen world and "imprisoned" within the "snare of words."

Key takeaways

• Mowlana demonstrates his immense generosity and recognition of Ḥusāmuddīn Chalabī's greatness through a prayer for his eternal spiritual presence.
• The wish to "remain like Khidr and Ilyās" signifies not just longevity, but a transformative, enduring spiritual impact on the world.
• Mowlana indicates that the "evil eye" and "rotten conventions" (outdated beliefs and customs) prevent him from fully expressing his praise.
• Ḥusāmuddīn's subtle influence is portrayed as so profound that it can turn the earth into heaven, symbolizing a spiritual elevation of the world through his grace.