M6:3523 — لیک پاسخ دادنم فرمان نبود / بی‌اشارت لب نیارستم گشود

Translation: But I was not commanded to respond; Without a sign, I could not open my lips.

Meaning: This verse conveys that the Khwaja, despite being aware of the entire situation, was unable to speak openly or offer assistance, as he had not received divine permission or command to do so.

I interpret this verse within the narrative context of a story Mowlana recounts: the tale of the intermediary (paymard) and the indebted stranger (gharib). In a dream, the Khwaja (a benefactor figure who is to resolve the situation) tells the intermediary that he was a witness to all conversations and heard “every single word” the intermediary spoke to the stranger. But here, a crucial “but” emerges. The divine Khwaja, or perhaps the will of the unseen, states: “But I was not commanded to respond; / Without a sign, I could not open my lips.”

This verse, beyond a mere narrative detail, points to a fundamental principle in mystical ontology that I have repeatedly emphasized: the secret of the “silence of the mystics” and the “taciturnity of the prophets.” This phenomenon has several dimensions that must be distinguished.

First, can the spirits of the deceased or divine saints be present, observe earthly events, and hear? This is an issue Mowlana alludes to, and personally, I harbor doubts regarding its scientific or philosophical proof, yet I also have no grounds to refute it. That is, we cannot say with certainty, “yes,” nor can we say, “no.” However, what is certain for Mowlana is the principle of these spirits' presence and awareness, even if they are subject to practical limitations.

But the deeper and more significant point is the secret of being “sealed on the lips,” which we encounter in the verses immediately following this one. Here, Mowlana transcends the specific story and articulates a general rule about mystics: “Since we have become aware of the hows and whys, / They have placed a seal upon our lips.” Why? There are several reasons:

One reason is intrinsic: some divine truths are inherently “ineffable” and “unconceptualizable.” Language is not made to express them; our concepts lack the capacity to contain them. This echoes the point philosophers like Wittgenstein have made: “Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent.” Thus, sometimes silence stems from language’s inability to represent truth.

The second, and perhaps the most crucial reason from Mowlana’s perspective in this context, is the preservation of “social order” (nizam-e ma’ash). If all divine secrets were revealed to everyone, the “social system and order would collapse.” The veil of heedlessness (parde-ye ghaflat) would be torn, and the pot of suffering would remain half-cooked. This heedlessness, in truth, is a blessing that God has placed for the stability of our daily lives. If one were to become fully aware of the unseen, they would no longer be able to continue their material, worldly life. This truth has been revealed to mystics, but they are not permitted to make it public. This “lack of command” to respond is, in essence, a divine injunction to preserve the structure of the world and our lives.

Mystics and prophets, even though “we are all speech,” maintain “silent lips” due to this divine command and inherent wisdom. It is as if they have become entirely ear and entirely speech, yet they are in a state where they must remain silent, unless given a sign. This stems not from incapacity, but from wisdom and command.

Key takeaways

• Divine Command for Silence: The Khwaja knows all, yet remains silent "without a sign" to preserve cosmic order.
• The Secret of Mystical Silence: Their silence stems not from ignorance, but from profound knowledge and divine injunction.
• Ineffability of Truths: Some divine secrets inherently transcend our capacity for expression and conceptualization.
• Preservation of Social Order: Revealing all secrets would tear the veil of heedlessness and disrupt societal harmony.
• Heedlessness as Divine Grace: Unawareness of certain truths is essential for the stability of our daily lives.