M6:1149 — از قضا رنجور و ناخوش شد هلال / مصطفی را وحی شد غماز حال

Translation: By divine decree, Hilal became sick and unwell; Revelation came to Mustafa, revealing his state. Meaning: This verse states that Hilal, a servant of God, fell ill, and as his earthly master was unaware of his condition, God informed the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of Hilal's sickness through divine revelation.

This verse continues the narrative of Hilal, a slave whose illness remains unknown to his earthly master, yet not to God. Mowlana's phrase, az qazā (by divine decree) ranjur (sick), immediately signals that Hilal's suffering is not random or meaningless; it is an act of divine providence, a manifestation of a higher design. This illness is not merely pain but a sign, a vehicle for revealing deeper levels of awareness.

Hilal's master considered him kasād o bikhaṭar (worthless and insignificant). He only perceived the slave's outward appearance and utility, entirely oblivious to his inner state. This exemplifies the 'dark-sightedness' (tira-cheshmi) Mowlana often speaks of—the human inability to discern hidden truths. God, however, is not so; He is ghammāz-i ḥāl, one who intimately knows the inner state and depths of His servant's being. Here, waḥy (revelation) shud ghammāz-i ḥāl means that divine revelation becomes the medium through which this profound divine knowledge is conveyed to Mustafa (PBUH).

This is a crucial point: revelation is not solely for prescribing laws or foretelling the future; sometimes, it serves to unveil the condition of an obscure servant. This demonstrates God's boundless attention to every atom of His creation, even those deemed 'insignificant' by human standards. Mustafa (PBUH) in this story is likened to the 'moon' following the 'sun of revelation' (waḥy), while the companions are 'stars' trailing the moon. Mowlana's imagery here echoes the tradition of aṣḥābī ka’l-nujūm (my companions are like stars), but with an emphasis on the Prophet's centrality as the primary recipient of divine light and the guide for al-surā (night-travelers). The Prophet (PBUH), in this cosmic scheme, acts as God's discerning eye on Earth, remaining aware even of a slave's hidden illness.

This narrative teaches us that a reality always exists beyond superficial appearances, and God is more aware of what transpires in hearts than any human eye. Hilal's suffering becomes an instrument for the manifestation of divine mercy and awareness, a true expression of the Masnavi's jalā al-aḥzān (polish of griefs)—a sorrow that ultimately leads to enlightenment and deeper knowledge. This suffering is never due to neglect; it is itself a messenger of hidden tidings.

Key takeaways

• Divine providence (az qazā) underlies seemingly random events; Hilal's suffering holds deeper wisdom.
• Human superficiality (the master) often fails to perceive the true worth and hidden suffering of others.
• Revelation can descend even to unveil the state of an obscure servant, signifying boundless divine care.
• Mustafa (PBUH), as the recipient of waḥy, acts as God's discerning eye on Earth, aware of the most subtle conditions.
• This narrative highlights the supremacy of divine and prophetic awareness over human ignorance and oblivion.