M6:2884 — شد اسیر آن قضا میر قضا / شاد باش ای چشم‌تیز مرتضی

Translation: That Qazā (Divine Decree) made the Prince of Qazā (the Divine Decreer) its captive; rejoice, O sharp-eyed Murtazā! (the Prophet or Imām ʿAlī, as an exemplar of keen insight). Meaning: This verse speaks to the profound paradox of the Absolute Decreer (God) becoming 'bound' or 'captive' by His own decrees, and it celebrates the keen spiritual vision that perceives this intricate divine reality.

This verse follows one that speaks of the judge's authority and the witness's authority over the judge. Mawlana, with a beautiful and profound wordplay, elevates the meaning of qazā from judicial judgment to the realm of divine decree and destiny. Here, Mir-e Qazā is none other than God Himself, the ultimate Decreer who governs all things.

The astonishing claim is that Mawlana states: That Qazā (Divine Decree) made the Prince of Qazā (the Divine Decreer) its captive. How can the absolute Sovereign, the matchless Creator, become 'captive' to anything? The answer lies precisely in God's self-limitation through His own decrees. It is as if the Creator becomes subject to His own creation. This captivity is not a weakness; rather, it is the zenith of beauty and power—a manifestation of that 'grace and wrath' which voluntarily constrains itself within a cycle of determinations. This is the secret of self-sufficiency and self-creation, where the First Emanation perceives itself confined within the manifold forms of the world.

The verse concludes with a great proclamation of joy: rejoice, O sharp-eyed Murtazā! 'Murtazā' is an epithet used for both the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali, symbolizing keen insight and unparalleled spiritual vision. This rejoicing is not for just anyone, but for that sharp-eyed soul capable of seeing beyond the veil of causes and means. Our ordinary perception is usually 'cause-seeing'; we see the glove and imagine it to be the sole agent, but the sharp eye of Murtazā perceives the Hand working and turning behind this 'glove of causes.' Whoever comprehends this secret, this subtlety and mystery of existence, is worthy of joy, for they have attained a station of knowledge that brings them closer to the Cause of all causes.

Key takeaways

• Divine Decree (Qazā) sometimes 'captures' the Absolute Decreer (Mir-e Qazā) Himself.
• This 'captivity' is not a limitation of God, but a display of His self-sufficiency and beauty.
• The 'sharp eye of Murtazā' symbolizes the insight capable of grasping this profound divine mystery.
• Perceiving the Hand (the Ultimate Causer) behind the 'glove of causes' (apparent means) is the fruit of this insight.
• This understanding brings not sorrow, but joy and glad tidings to the seeker of truth.