M6:1885 — آن جهان صورت شود آن مادگی / هر که در مردی ندید آمادگی

Translation: In that world (the Hereafter), that 'feminine-ness' (mādagī, i.e., passivity or deficiency) will take form / for anyone who did not find 'readiness' (āmādegī) in 'manliness' (mardī, i.e., virtue or spiritual potency). Meaning: In the Hereafter, the spiritual weakness and lack of preparation of those who failed to cultivate virtue and spiritual manliness will become manifest and take concrete form.

This beyt is one of those pivotal verses in the Mathnawi that unveils the very essence of the Hereafter. Here, Mowlana points to a fundamental truth: the Day of Judgment is a day of absolute justice, a day when "right will be given its due." This means that everyone will receive precisely what they are worthy of, what they have truly earned and prepared for. The term "manliness" (mardī) here carries a far deeper meaning than mere physical gender. In ancient cultures and classical Persian literature, "man" was a symbol of virtue, courage, spiritual maturity, and readiness for great challenges. The word murūwat (chivalry, generosity, human decency), which derives from marʾ (meaning man), in fact encompasses all good qualities. That is, when someone was said to possess murūwat, a complete constellation of virtues was attributed to them. This is a point of convergence we see in Latin languages as well; the word "virtue" itself is derived from vir, meaning man. This cultural proximity demonstrates that virtue, from the perspective of the perfect human or "man," was often defined through this lens. Now, Mowlana states, "In that world, that 'feminine-ness' (mādagī) will take form." This mādagī here signifies weakness, passivity, inaction, and a lack of spiritual preparedness. That is, anyone who has not prepared themselves in this world to attain "manliness" (i.e., virtues, courage, self-cultivation) will, in the other world, find those internal weaknesses and deficiencies manifesting as a tangible reality. The Hereafter is a perfect mirror of our inner state; what we have cultivated within will bear fruit and take form there. As Mowlana says elsewhere, "What is justice? Giving water to trees. What is injustice? Giving water to thorns." Or, like a shoe that belongs on the foot and a hat on the head, everything has its proper place. In the Hereafter, reward and punishment are meted out precisely according to our innate capacities and our efforts. One who has not prepared their heart and soul for growth and transcendence in this world cannot expect a harvest other than mādagī and weakness, which will "take form" for them in that world. This beyt warns us that the opportunity for readiness is in this very world, before it is too late and our unpreparedness in "manliness" takes on the concrete form of "feminine-ness."

Key takeaways

• The Hereafter is a realm where our inner realities manifest; inner weaknesses and strengths take concrete form.
• "Manliness" (mardī) here symbolizes virtue, courage, spiritual maturity, and readiness for perfection.
• "Feminine-ness" (mādagī), conversely, denotes weakness, inaction, and a lack of spiritual preparedness.
• Divine justice in the Hereafter means placing everything in its proper place and rewarding based on true merit.
• One who has not prepared for virtue in this life will, on the Day of Judgment, embody their weakness and unworthiness.
• The opportunity for self-cultivation and acquiring "manliness" is in this world, to reap a worthy harvest in the next.