M6:4373 — تا همه زوار گرد او تنند / کعبهٔ او را همه قبله کنند

Translation: So that all pilgrims might circle it, And make his Kaaba their qibla.

Meaning: Abraha intended, by building a rival Kaaba in Yemen, to divert all pilgrims and worshippers towards his new temple, making it the universal qibla instead of the original Kaaba in Mecca.

This verse, from the story of Abraha's attack on the Kaaba, is employed by Mawlana to illustrate an aspect of 'lutf-i khafi' (hidden grace) and 'makr-i Ilahi' (divine guile). Abraha, with his vast army and elephants, came with the explicit intention of demolishing the Kaaba in Mecca and thereby debasing it. He had constructed a similar temple in Yemen and his desire was that 'all pilgrims might circle it' and 'make his Kaaba their qibla'; that is, he wanted to shift the center of pilgrimage from Mecca to his newly built Kaaba, thus undermining the sanctity and grandeur of the original shrine. This was his aim and effort, but Mawlana, with his characteristic profound insight, shows that the outcome of his actions was precisely the opposite of what Abraha intended.

I have repeatedly stressed that in Mawlana's intellectual framework, God is not only aware of all matters but is 'the Best of Plotters' (khayru'l-makirin). Divine guile is not deception in the human sense, but a precise and wise stratagem that neutralizes the schemes of enemies and even turns them to the benefit of that which they sought to harm. Abraha's attempt to humiliate the Kaaba led to his 'very effort becoming the cause of the Kaaba's honor and glory'. This is among the marvels of God's grace, which holds a hidden kindness within apparent wrath. This grace is 'lutf-i khafi', which places an antidote within poison and brings forgiveness out of sin. As Mawlana says: 'Within the poison, that Kind One made an antidote / So that they might call Him the Possessor of Hidden Grace.'

Similarly, the deniers and enemies of the prophets aimed for the 'debasement of the trustworthy ones' (idhlāl-i thiqāt), meaning they wished to humiliate God's righteous and trusted servants. But what happened? 'Debasement became glory and the manifestation of miracles.' This is that same divine guile; an intention aimed at humiliation leads to honor and the emergence of miracles. Mawlana constantly emphasizes that God opens blessings and doors of relief through the guise of affliction and misfortune. One should not be heedless of the outward appearance of things nor despair of the inner grace. Even human error, if it leads to sincere repentance (tawba), can elevate a person to a station denied to those who have never sinned. This too is a manifestation of 'lutf-i khafi', which transmutes dust into gold.

Therefore, this verse is not merely a narrative of a negative human intention, but rather it recounts how human will, even when driven by malicious motives, inadvertently serves a greater and wiser divine will, and in a wondrous way, leads to results that are entirely contrary to the original intention of the perpetrator. This is a great lesson for us: that in no state, whether in success or failure, should we be oblivious to God's hidden decree.

Key takeaways

• God's hidden grace (lutf-i khafi) extracts good outcomes even from malicious intentions.
• Divine guile (makr-i Ilahi) is a wise stratagem that reverses enemies' plans for the benefit of truth.
• Abraha's attempt to debase the Kaaba led to its ever-increasing honor and glory.
• The outward appearance of wrath or misfortune can inwardly contain divine blessings and openings.
• One should never despair of divine decree in any circumstance, as hidden good may lie within apparent error or setback.