M6:3283 — نیم ذره طیرگی و خشم نی / غیر مهر و رحم و آب چشم نی

Translation: Not a speck of darkness or anger was there; Nothing but love and mercy and the water of eyes was there.

Meaning: At that crucial moment, there was no trace of resentment or rage in Moses. His entire being was filled solely with tenderness, compassion, and tears of pity.

This couplet presents an unparalleled portrait of the character of prophets and the criterion for their worthiness of prophethood. Here, Mawlana recounts the story of Moses as a shepherd, prior to his becoming Kalīmullāh (one who spoke to God). A lamb strays from his flock, and Moses, utterly exhausted, chases it until nightfall. At this moment, as the lamb collapses from fatigue, Moses has a legitimate opportunity to unleash his exhaustion and anger upon this helpless animal. Yet, what do we witness?

As Mawlana states: "Not a speck of obscurity or anger was there; Nothing but love and mercy and the water of eyes was there." The phrase "tiragī-o khashm" (darkness/obscurity and anger) is profoundly meaningful. "Tiragī" here signifies mental obscurity, intellectual darkness, or spiritual gloom that accompanies anger. Sa'di, too, remarks: "Two things obscure the intellect: silence when one should speak, and speaking when one should be silent." This mental obscurity leads one to unwise decisions and vengeful acts. But Moses, in this critical moment, completely harnesses his innate quick temper. Despite being at the peak of his anger and exhaustion, instead of reproaching or punishing, he gently brushes the dust off the lamb with love and mercy, strokes its back and head, and embraces it like a tender mother.

I am strongly convinced that it is at this very point that God speaks to His angels: "Then God said to the angels at that moment: Such a one is worthy of prophethood." This is not merely Moses's worthiness, but the standard of prophethood for all prophets. Prophets are "raḥmat al-li-ʿālamīn" (a mercy to all beings) and must possess an expansive heart, the very "alam nashraḥ laka ṣadrak" (Have We not expanded for you your breast?) of the Quran. They must endure bitterness and harshness, assimilate them, and in response to the misdeeds of others, show love and compassion instead of vengeance. This story illustrates that prophets, too, undergo their trials, and it is with such profound mercy that they emerge victorious from these tests. This is that boundless capacity which enables them to lead the world.

Key takeaways

• Worthiness for spiritual leadership, including prophethood, is rooted in the ability to control anger and overcome personal grievances.
• Mercy, love, and compassion are fundamental attributes distinguishing prophets from ordinary individuals.
• "Obscurity" (mental turbidity and spiritual darkness) that accompanies anger acts as a veil over reason and an impediment to spiritual journeying.
• Expansiveness of heart and spiritual capacity to endure harshness and bitterness are hallmarks of immense existential potential.
• Divine trials, even for prophets, constitute an aspect of their growth path and affirmation of their worthiness.