M6:1887 — تا به مطلب در رسد هر طالبی / تا به غرب خود رود هر غاربی

Translation: So that every seeker may reach their object; / So that every setting one may go to their own west. Meaning: This verse promises that, in the divine order of justice, every seeker will eventually attain their desired goal, and every perishing entity will return to its destined end, thereby completing its cycle.

This verse, in my view, paints a vivid picture of divine justice—a justice where everything finds its 'fitting' place and ultimate destiny. Mawlana, an unparalleled master of allegory, illuminates this concept with a simple yet profound example: "Justice is giving what is fitting; the shoe for that foot, the hat for that head." This means the shoe belongs on the foot, the hat on the head, and never the reverse. Or, as he states elsewhere, giving water to a tree is justice, while giving it to a thorn is injustice. This is an undeniably deep definition of justice, emphasizing the harmony and proper placement of everything according to its natural and deserving station. This verse promises that such justice, this 'fittingness,' will ultimately prevail in a world where every 'seeker' reaches their 'object,' and every 'setting one' (ghārib) proceeds to their 'west' (gharb)—their ultimate end and destination. This is a natural congruence, much like the sun's radiance and the cloud's affinity for water.

Yet, a crucial point emerges immediately from Mawlana: this world, this 'House of Force' (qahr-khāna) we inhabit, is not the place where this justice is fully manifested. Mawlana unequivocally states, "The world is the House of Force of the Creator," meaning this world is fundamentally a realm of coercion and injustice, not absolute fairness. Here, we rarely see the seeker unfailingly reach their goal, or everything perfectly settled in its place. Quite often, the shoe is put on the head, and the hat on the foot! Thousands of examples attest to this truth. Judges rule based on outward appearances, unable to know our true intentions and motivations. In human relations, what transpires behind closed doors is often filled with backbiting and malice, hidden from our sight.

This is why Mawlana warns, "Behold force, for you have chosen force." If our choice is solely directed toward this world, we must contend with its inherent force and injustice, and we will never be fully content. We will constantly complain, "So-and-so wronged me," or "Fate dealt me an injustice." Mawlana is not advocating passivity; indeed, we have a duty to resist injustice in this world. However, he understands that perfect justice, due to the inherent limitations of knowledge and transparency, can never be fully realized in this temporal realm. Even basic welfare and minimal comfort, which soothe human souls, are prerequisites for impartiality, and without them, injustice only increases. Therefore, this verse, transcending the grim realities of this world, points to a higher horizon: another realm where God's will—absolute justice—will find its ultimate expression, and every seeker will, without a doubt, attain their object.

Key takeaways

• True justice, for Mawlana, signifies everything being 'fitting' and occupying its rightful place.
• This verse promises the ultimate realization of divine justice in a realm beyond our present world.
• Our world is the 'House of Force of the Creator,' where justice remains incomplete due to imperfections in knowledge and intentions.
• In the world of absolute justice, seekers will undoubtedly reach their desired goals, and every entity will return to its natural end.
• The 'west' for the 'setting one' refers to the ultimate destination and completion of a thing or being.