M6:1312 — هست پنهان معنی هر داروی / هم‌چو سحر و صنعت هر جادوی

Translation: The meaning of every medicine is hidden, Just like the magic and craft of every sorcery. Meaning: This verse states that the true efficacy and internal essence of any medicine or action remain concealed, much like the arcane methods of sorcery whose results are visible but whose workings are veiled, knowable only through their effects.

I argue that this beyt serves as a culmination to a series of illustrations by Mawlana, demonstrating how we perceive the invisible through its manifest effects. We humans are compelled to understand truth by journeying from the apparent to the hidden. We do not see the wind, but the movement of leaves indicates its presence. Intoxication cannot be directly observed, but the languid eye speaks of it. Similarly, we are distant from the Divine Essence, yet prophets and their miracles convey its attributes to us. Even the friends of God (awliya) possess "subtle miracles" (karāmāt-i khafī).

These miracles arise not from conscious intent but from the "hundred ready resurrections" (sad qiyāmat-i naqd) within their being. Like a hot furnace, they warm and intoxicate those around them. Thus, companionship with a felicitous individual becomes companionship with God, for their hearts are the dwelling of God, overflowing with the Divine Presence. Miracles performed upon inanimate objects, such as Moses splitting the Nile or the Prophet splitting the moon, are transient and outwardly appearing effects. However, if a miracle touches the human soul, it connects that soul to a "hidden relationship" (rābite-yi penhān) with the inner realm of existence.

It is in this vein that the friends of God sometimes produce "bread without the matter of dough" (nān bi-hayūlā-yi khamīr), meaning they bestow gifts and effect changes without any pre-existing conditions or capabilities. Yet, for those who have not yet attained such inner felicity, the path of "inference from the apparent" remains open. One must pay close attention to effects and manifestations, for "effects are manifest to the senses, and these effects inform about the cause." This implies that from the observed effect of a sedative, one can infer the existence of a soporific substance within it, even if that substance is not visibly apparent.

The conclusion of this discussion is precisely this verse: "The meaning of every medicine is hidden, just like the magic and craft of every sorcery." Just as the effect of any medicine or magic manifests on the body, yet its underlying mode of operation or "meaning" remains concealed—knowable only through its impact—so too is the reality of many phenomena. Mawlana teaches us to perpetually seek causes and inner realities through their effects and outward appearances, urging us not to let the complexity of an action deter us from our quest for its meaning.

Key takeaways

• The true nature of things is often hidden, discernible only through their manifest effects.
• Understanding the inner essence (the meaning of medicine) comes from observing its impact (healing).
• Mawlana frames this verse within the larger discussion of recognizing God and His saints through their miracles and spiritual influences.
• The beyt highlights the importance of inferring cause from effect, in both material and spiritual realms.
• The hiddenness of the 'craft' or 'mechanism' of phenomena does not negate their existence but points to their mysterious nature.