M6:2825 — سرالناس معادن داد دست / که رسول آن را پی چه گفته است

Translation: Sar al-nās maʿādin dād dast / Ke Rasūl ān-rā pay-i che gofte ast (The secret of people's 'mines' was made manifest / As to why the Prophet spoke of it.) Meaning: This verse is uttered by a thief with an extraordinary sense of smell, who claims his ability to discern the hidden metals beneath the earth allows him to truly grasp the meaning of the Prophet's saying that people are like mines of gold and silver.

This verse is uttered by a character within Mawlana's 'Tale of the King and the Night Thieves,' specifically by a thief endowed with an extraordinary sense of smell. He proclaims that his ability to 'smell' the earth and discern its hidden treasures allows him to truly comprehend the profound meaning behind the Prophet's saying: 'People are like mines, just as there are mines of gold and silver; the best among them in ignorance are the best among them in Islam.' While the authenticity of this particular hadith may be debated by scholars of tradition, I maintain that its spiritual import is absolutely sound and deeply resonant within mystical discourse.

The 'mines' (maʿādin) here refer to the innate disposition, the fundamental essence, or the inherent 'metal' of human beings. Like a geological mine that contains gold, silver, or lesser metals, each soul possesses a unique, often hidden, spiritual quality. This 'thief of the nose' symbolizes the mystic or the adept who, through a heightened sense, can perceive the inner worth, the 'cash' (naqd), that lies beneath the 'dust' of the physical form. It is a profound capacity to discern the true spiritual constitution of individuals from their outward appearances.

This theme of super-sensory perception, the 'smelling out' of hidden truths, is recurrent throughout the Masnavi and other mystical traditions. Mawlana himself, at the very outset of the Masnavi, speaks of 'finding the scent of Yusuf's shirt,' which he links to his profound passion for Shams-e Tabrizi. In this tale, the 'nose-thief' evokes the legendary Majnun, who could discern Layla's grave by its unique scent, or Yaʿqūb, who smelled Yusuf's essence from afar. These are all archetypal examples of a spiritual faculty that transcends ordinary perception, allowing one to grasp concealed realities. This world, in Mawlana’s grand metaphor, is often akin to a 'dark night' where true essences are veiled, yet those with 'special vision'—or in this case, a 'special nose'—are able to unveil and recognize them. Ultimately, this narrative elevates the station of God's closest friends and saints, who serve as the eyes, ears, and tongue of the Divine on Earth, possessing the formidable ability to perceive the hidden truths of human beings.

Key takeaways

• Humans possess an inherent essence, a 'mine,' whose quality is predetermined within their being.
• Discerning the 'pure gold' from 'common dust' requires a sense beyond ordinary perception—a spiritual insight Mawlana metaphorically calls 'smelling the earth.'
• This verse underscores the mystical principle that while outward appearances can be deceptive, the inner essence of individuals holds a stable truth and worth.
• The ability to perceive the hidden essence of people is a quality attributed to God's saints and mystics of profound spiritual heart.