M6:2445 — باز آن غشیان چو از من رفت زود / صورت هر یک دگرگونم نمود

Translation: Again, when that swoon quickly left me, / The form of each appeared different to me. Meaning: Upon awakening from a profound spiritual trance, the visionary realized that the unified and undifferentiated appearance of the prophets, previously seen as one, in fact possessed distinct forms and individual characteristics.

This verse concludes the Jewish traveler's dream narrative, a dream that Mawlana, with unparalleled elaboration, refers to as a profoundly true and divine experience, as if he himself had traversed it. The Jewish traveler, after witnessing himself, Moses, and Mount Sinai merge into divine light, and then observing other manifestations of that light and the mountain splitting into three symbolic branches (the sweetening of bitter sea water, the emergence of a healing spring, and a flight towards Arafat), falls into a state of 'sa'qa' and 'ghashayān' – an unconsciousness brought on by divine manifestation. He then recovers from this state to find the mountain and Moses in place, but the plain below is filled with people, 'shaped like Moses in their faces,' all holding staffs, wearing cloaks, with hands raised in prayer, chanting 'Arinī' (Show me). This symbolic image portrays the unity of all prophets in their essence of seeking divine vision; as if all are one Moses, walking one path.

However, Mawlana introduces a precise and profound point here: "Again, when that swoon quickly left me, / The form of each appeared different to me.". That is, the traveler recovers from the second state of unconsciousness, and this time sees that the homogenous, 'Moses-like' forms have 'dagar-goon' (changed/differed); each has its own face and is distinct from the other. This moment, in my view, is the soaring discovery of gnosis: "It was here that I understood that these were all prophets... The unity of prophets became clear to me. I understood that all prophets are one, and all prophets are different from each other. All are Moses, and all are other than Moses. 'We make no distinction between any of His messengers'". This verse shows that profound spiritual experience not only leads to the fundamental unity of prophets (such that all are one 'Moses' and all share one 'Arinī chant'), but simultaneously acknowledges their multiplicity and apparent identity differences. They are one in essence and diverse in form, just like human beings who come from a 'single origin' but each possess their 'self'.

I insist that this dream is not merely an ordinary dream, but a 'tajalli' (divine effulgence) and a 'speechless revelation'. When Moses saw the divine manifestation on Mount Sinai, he fell into 'sa'qa' (swoon). The Torah and Quran relate that the mountain was pulverized. We say that the external mountain did not disappear; rather, it was an inner, spiritual experience in which Moses saw the mountain in a state of dissolution. This is precisely the type of experience that this Jewish traveler underwent. As Mawlana states: 'from the auspiciousness of blessed revelation' a healing spring flows. This revelation is a voiceless matter that speaks to the heart and has external, objective effects. It is quite possible that Mawlana himself had such experiences and expressed them through the voice of this Jewish traveler.

The sighting of angels 'of fire and snow,' which follows in the dream, further confirms the depth and authenticity of this experience, as such angels are mentioned in Islamic traditions and even Nahj al-Balagha. This dream teaches us that true gnosis comprehends both unity and tolerates multiplicity. This understanding of unity in the multiplicity of prophets becomes a bridge to one of Mawlana's most important teachings and the pluralism of salvation: "Do not scorn any infidel, / For it is hoped he may die a Muslim." In this world of multiplicities, no one can be despaired of divine mercy; for the essence of intention, seeking, and aspiration towards transcendence determines destiny, not merely external form or religion. It is here that we see how Mawlana, from a specific dream, arrives at the most holistic and inclusive mystical and theological insights.

Key takeaways

• Divine manifestation can occur as a dream or a state of swoon, leading to profound spiritual insights.
• This verse signifies the fundamental unity of prophets in their quest for truth, while simultaneously acknowledging their distinct identities and differences.
• Returning from a state of unconsciousness often reveals hidden realities, including multiplicity within unity.
• Mawlana believes that the experience of prophetic unity (all are Moses) is compatible with the experience of their differences (each is other than Moses).
• Pluralism of salvation: this dream opens a path for not despising the 'unbeliever,' as the essence of intention in seeking transcendence is the key to salvation.
• Inner, visionary experiences can be as real and instructive as external events.