M6:2890 — یا رب اتمم نورنا فی الساهره / وانجنا من مفضحات قاهره

Translation: O Lord, perfect our light upon the Sāhera (Plain of Resurrection), And save us from overpowering, shameful disgraces. Meaning: Mawlana prays for the completion of divine light granted in this world to fully illuminate truths on the Day of Judgment, and for protection from the profound shames and humiliations of that day.

This beyt is one of Mawlana's rare, heartfelt prayers to his Lord. In it, Mawlana expresses two great needs before the Divine Presence: first, the perfection of divine light on the Sāhera, and second, deliverance from muflizāt-i qāhera.

The term Sāhera, as mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, refers to the vast, flat plain upon which all humanity will gather on the Day of Resurrection – the very qāʿ ṣafṣaf (an utterly level plain) described in the Qur'an. Here, Mawlana asks God: "This light that You have bestowed upon us in this world, perfect it in that world, make it more complete so that we may see everything truly and perceive realities as they are."

This prayer, atemmim nuranā (perfect our light), is directly inspired by a crucial verse from Surat al-Hadid (Chapter 57), which paints a strange and moving scene from the Day of Judgment. In this scene, believers rush forth before the Lord, with a light shining before them and on their right, illuminating their path. Meanwhile, deniers and disbelievers ask the believers for light: "Dharūnā naqtabis min nūrikum" (Allow us to borrow from your light). They wish to borrow their light to find their way in their own darkness. But they are told: "Irjiʿū warāʾakum fa-l-tamisū nūrā" (Go back behind you and seek light), for this light is the fruit of their deeds and acquisitions in the world. Then, a barrier (sūr) is erected between the two groups; its inner side is mercy, and its outer side is torment. Those left in darkness cry out from behind the veil: "A-lam nakun maʿakum?" (Were we not with you in the world?). The believers reply: "Balā walākinnakum fatantum anfusakum wa tarabbaṣtum war-tabtum wa gharratkum al-amāniyyu wa gharrakum billāhi al-gharūr" (Yes, but you tempted yourselves, you procrastinated, you doubted, desires deceived you, and the Deceiver deceived you concerning God).

Mawlana, fully aware of this Quranic imagery, desires that the light of faith and gnosis that has entered his heart in this world should not only remain but reach its zenith and completion on the Sāhera, lifting all veils. He does not wish to be among those who remain in darkness on that Day, begging for light from the believers.

Mawlana's second plea is for deliverance from mufḍiḥāt-i qāhera: "wa anjinā min mufḍiḥāt-i qāhera." This means to be saved from the overwhelming disgraces and terrifying shames of that Day – disgraces that overcome a person and humble them before others, and above all, before the Lord. This fear of disgrace is an existential dread rooted in human nature, which Mawlana, as a mystic, elevates to its peak. It mirrors the trembling of the souls of all mystics who have feared spiritual regression (laghzish) and the loss of their spiritual gains on the path of seeking. This prayer shows that divine union and knowledge are blessings constantly susceptible to withdrawal, and one cannot hope to preserve and complete them without continuous divine grace. This prayer complements Mawlana's other pleas elsewhere: "O God, turn not this union into separation; make not the joyful lovers sorrowful... do whatever You wish, but do not do that (separation)." Such prayers indicate the profound importance and delicacy of union after separation; a grace Mawlana wishes not to be deprived of. Indeed, through this prayer, Mawlana demonstrates his pure reliance on God's grace, considering all his actions and spiritual treasures as effects of divine favor and refraining from relying on his own efforts.

Key takeaways

• A Prayer for Light's Perfection: Mawlana prays for the divine light granted in this world to be completed on the Plain of Resurrection, enabling him to perceive truths fully.
• Seeking Deliverance from Disgrace: The beyt includes a profound prayer for salvation from overwhelming shames and humiliations on the Day of Judgment.
• Quranic Allusion: The plea atemmim nuranā is rooted in verses from Surat al-Hadid, depicting the scene of luminous believers and dark-hearted disbelievers on Resurrection Day.
• The Mystic's Fear of Regression: This prayer reflects the mystics' profound fear of losing spiritual perfections and regressing from states of divine union.
• Reliance on Divine Grace: Mawlana attributes all his spiritual gains to God's grace, emphasizing through this prayer the necessity of its continuous bestowal.