M6:1814 — هین خمش کن تا بگوید شاه قل / بلبلی مفروش با این جنس گل

Translation: Hush now, so that the King of 'Say!' may speak; / Do not sell a nightingale with this kind of gol (rose). Meaning: Mowlana commands the seeker and speaker to fall silent before the absolute Divine Truth, which is inherently articulate and self-speaking, urging them to refrain from eloquent displays in its presence.

This verse marks a spiritual and epistemological zenith for Mowlana, where he calls himself, and indeed any speaker, to silence. This quietude stems not from inadequacy but from a profound apprehension of truth and reverence for the Divine Presence. When Mowlana declares, "Hush now, so that the King of 'Say!' may speak," he summons the audience to silence before the "King of 'Say!'" — that is, the Divine Essence itself, which commands "Say!" (Qul!) throughout the Qur'an. This imperative, revealed repeatedly to the Prophet, signifies that the principal utterance originates from God, not from human beings. In such a presence, human eloquence and articulation become irrelevant.

Mowlana's phrasing here is exquisitely precise: "Do not sell a nightingale with this kind of gol (rose)." The nightingale symbolizes the eloquent speaker, the ardent lover who, captivated by the beauty of a rose, pours forth song and melody. Yet, Mowlana emphasizes that "this kind of rose" is distinct. This gol is inherently articulate (goyā) and requires no nightingale to describe it. In essence, this rose is the "King of 'Say!'" itself, speaking without mediation. While nightingales may warble before silent roses, in the presence of a rose brimming with its own utterance and passion, they fall silent and lend an ear. This silence represents the highest form of listening and comprehension.

This act of hushing, of abandoning speech, is also a reflection of Mowlana's own takhalluṣ (poetic pen-name), "Khāmūsh" (Silent One) — a name he chose both for the abundance of his speech and to safeguard deeper meanings. In these moments of spiritual height, he surrenders himself to naught before the grandeur of Divine Speech, calling his own tongue to silence. It is this ecstasy and rapture that elevates Mowlana to such a sublime plane of expression, as if he has ascended beyond the sensory world to the loftiest spiritual stations; a place where he perceives himself not as created, but as a manifestation of the Divine Essence. Thus, he even abandons any 'birth-talk' (zāde-gūyī) for himself. Before this "speaking rose," which is the "King of 'Say!'" itself, the nightingale must close its beak and become all ear, for the rose's own speech transcends all other melodies and sounds.

Key takeaways

• In the presence of absolute Divine Truth, human speech must yield to silence.
• "Shah-e Qul" symbolizes the Divine Essence, the ultimate Speaker and source of revelation.
• This "eloquent rose" (gol-e goyā) needs no nightingale's song, for it is the manifestation of Divine utterance itself.
• Silence at this spiritual station signifies reverence, ultimate knowledge, and readiness for unmediated reception.
• This quietude is not born of inadequacy, but represents the pinnacle of understanding and respect for the grandeur of Divine Speech.