M6:2189 — در بیان آنک بر فرمان رود / گر گلی را خار خواهد آن شود

Translation: In explanation of one who acts by divine command: If he desires a thorn for a rose, it becomes that.

Meaning: This verse speaks to the power of divine walāyat (guardianship or authority), illustrating that an individual aligned with and empowered by God's will can manifest their intentions, even to the point of transforming reality.

This verse, in essence, is one of Mawlana's most explicit articulations of the concept of walāyat (divine guardianship or authority). Walāyat, as found in the Quran and the Prophetic tradition, speaks to a special bond between God and His chosen servants – a bond in which God becomes the walī (guardian) and protector of believers, leading them from darkness into light. Here, Mawlana, with concise yet profound language, illustrates the consequence of such a walāyat.

I firmly believe that Mawlana here speaks of walāyat as a power delegated by the Divine. Just as recorded in the Gospels, Jesus (PBUH) bestows walāyat upon his disciples so that in his name, they may perform the same deeds he did: raising the dead, healing the sick, and awakening hearts. This power is no longer merely human; rather, it is a reflection of divine power that manifests in the walī's being, enabling them to affect the cosmos.

“If he desires a thorn for a rose, it becomes that” – this is merely an allegory to convey the profound depth of this power. The walī of God, in this station, is not merely one who prays and asks God for something; rather, their will becomes so aligned and unified with the Divine Will that it is as if God Himself is willing. This is by no means idolatrous; rather, it is the ultimate expression of tawḥīd al-afʿāl (unity of actions), for the walī sees himself as annihilated in the Divine Will, possessing no independent will of his own.

It is truly astonishing how Mawlana, this person seemingly detached from society and engrossed in the love of Shams, articulates such profound philosophical and theological concepts in such simple and accessible language. Every point he makes here is rooted in deep schools of anthropology and theology, demonstrating how penetrating and comprehensive his vision was. This verse speaks not only of the power of the awliyā (saints) but also of the possibility of cosmic transformation and human will itself—a will that, when purified and divinely inspired, can turn a thorn into a rose and a rose into a thorn. This is a profound lesson for those who seek true power and the deep meaning of influencing the world.

Key takeaways

• The verse elucidates the concept of "Divine Walāyat": a special bond between God and His chosen servants, where divine power is delegated to the servant.
• An individual who aligns with God's command finds their will harmonized with the Divine, gaining the ability to influence the cosmos.
• The metaphor of the 'rose and thorn' illustrates the walī's capacity to transform reality, reflecting God's own will.
• Mawlana presents these profound theological and philosophical concepts in simple, accessible language, demonstrating the depth of his insight.
• This power is not idolatrous but rather the epitome of tawḥīd al-afʿāl (unity of actions), as the walī sees themselves annihilated in the Divine Will.