M6:3267 — ای در ابرویت ندیده کس گره / ای چو میکائیل راد و رزق‌ده

Translation: Oh, you in whose brow no one has ever seen a frown, Oh, you who are generous and a sustainer, like Michael.

Meaning: This verse praises the addressed one (God or a revered spiritual figure) for their boundless generosity and perpetual graciousness, likening them to the Archangel Michael, the divine provider of sustenance and mercy.

This verse, addressed to the Eternal Beloved, opens with profound praise for unwavering graciousness and boundless generosity. When it says, "Oh, you in whose brow no one has ever seen a frown," the meaning is that there is never a sign of displeasure, weariness, or dissatisfaction on the Beloved's face. The Beloved constantly engages with seekers and aspirants with utmost grace and open-heartedness; the numerous requests and heavy burdens of creation do not diminish this graciousness in the slightest. This paints a picture of unconditional giving, free from obligation or alteration in the giver's state.

The second part of the verse brings this generosity to its peak with a firm and meaningful simile: "Oh, you who are generous and a sustainer, like Michael.". In our religious traditions, we know Mika'il (Michael) as the angel of sustenance and mercy. He is one of the four archangels, mentioned alongside Jibra'il (Gabriel), Israfil, and Azra'il. This concept has roots in older traditions; even in Hebrew, the Cherubim are spoken of as archangels of God. In ancient religions and mythologies, there have always been intermediary beings, agents of God; for example, in Zoroastrianism, the seven Amesha Spentas (including Soroush) play a similar role.

The role of angels in the administration of the world is also explicitly stated in the Quran; from the Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) who takes souls, to the Holy Spirit (Ruh al-Qudus), who is Jibra'il, the trusted conveyor of revelation. These unseen and intangible agents carry out divine good deeds. Of course, more modern philosophers, such as the late Mehdi Bazargan, sometimes interpreted angels as forces of nature, considering, for instance, gravity or other natural laws as angels executing divine commands. However, belief in the existence of angels, in essence, is one of the pillars of faith for believers, as the Quran states: "Amanar-rasul bima unzila ilayhi min rabbihi wal-mala'ikah" (The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and [so have] the believers; all of them have believed in Allah and His angels...). In contrast, Max Weber spoke of the "disenchantment" of the modern world; a world that is now perceived as empty of jinn, fairies, and angels, its mechanisms entirely governed by material forces discovered by science. But Mowlana's view, and that of our mystics, is a world full of these unseen beings and hidden agents who, by divine command, bestow sustenance and untie knots.

Therefore, the simile to Mika'il does not merely signify material provision, but encompasses a wide range of divine mercy and bounty; from physical sustenance to spiritual nourishment. Mika'il's generosity and liberality are a symbol of expansive being and endless grace that manifests in the Beloved. This giver not only bestows without any frown, but also never remembers "what was spent from My wealth" – meaning, the Beloved keeps no account of their giving, and "the roof of Your aspiration never cracked" – the Beloved's resolve in giving never wavers or cracks. It is this scope and depth of giving that places the Beloved in the rank of Mika'il, the Sustainer.

Key takeaways

• The Divine Beloved is perpetually gracious and generous, never wearied by the myriad requests of creation.
• The comparison of the Beloved to Michael symbolizes God's boundless giving and absolute provision.
• Michael, the angel of sustenance, reminds us of God's unseen agents in the administration of the world.
• Mowlana's and mystics' worldview, unlike modern 'disenchanted' perspectives, envisions a world full of unseen, divine beings.
• The Beloved's generosity is measureless and ceaseless, continuing without depletion.