M6:2447 — باز املاکی همی دیدم شگرف / صورت ایشان بد از اجرام برف

Translation: Again I saw wondrous angels; / Their form was of bodies of snow. Meaning: This verse, part of the Jewish traveler's dream, describes his vision of angels appearing in the form of snow, an image with precedent in mystical literature and religious traditions.

Indeed, this verse acts as a window into the wondrous realm of gnostic revelations and spiritual dreams, wherein Mowlana depicts not merely external realities but also the inner perceptions of the mystic traveler. Spoken through the voice of the Jewish traveler, this passage reports the observation of "wondrous angels" (amlāki shegarf) whose "form was of bodies of snow" (sūrat-i īshān bod az ajrām-i barf). Here, the word "form" (sūrat) is key to understanding; it refers not to the material or physical composition of the angels, but to the phenomenal appearance they assume for the seeker in a dream experience. It is as if the traveler, in a state of self-effacement and immersion, witnessed angels in this particular guise, rather than their essential being being snow.

This imagery, undoubtedly, has roots in our religious traditions and narratives. In Islamic sources, including what is found in Nahj al-Balagha and accounts of the Prophet Muhammad's Mi'raj (ascension), there are references to angels made of both fire and snow. This expression demonstrates how Mowlana draws upon the treasury of religious narratives to convey the richness of inner, esoteric experiences to the reader. Angels, as transcendent beings, can manifest in various forms and appearances, and these manifestations are contingent upon the perceptive capacity and spiritual state of the observer. Snow, with its delicacy, purity, and distinct coldness, can symbolize particular aspects of angelic existence; perhaps referring to innocence, sanctity, or even the awe-inspiring majesty of the celestial realm that not every human can comprehend.

Immediately after this verse, Mowlana refers to the vision of another type of angel whose "form was entirely of fire." This duality of snow and fire itself reflects the apparent contradictions and inner harmonies within the angelic world. This suggests that the realm of dreams and revelations is a world full of symbols and metaphors, each carrying profound meaning, guiding the seeker towards a more comprehensive understanding of existence. Therefore, this verse is not merely a simple description; rather, it is an invitation to contemplate the diversity of unseen manifestations and the manner of perceiving them in the immediate domain of spiritual experience. It is a 'theophany' (tajallī) articulated in symbolic language.

Key takeaways

• The manifestation of angels in mystical dreams depends on the seeker's perception, not their material essence.
• The imagery of angels made of snow has roots in Islamic religious traditions (e.g., Nahj al-Balagha and the Prophet's Mi'raj).
• "Form" (sūrat) here refers to the outward manifestation or appearance in a mystical vision, not a physical composition.
• Mowlana uses such images to enrich the description of esoteric experiences.
• The duality of snow and fire in describing angels symbolizes apparent contradictions and inner harmonies within the angelic realm.