M6:3378 — چون خدا پیوستگیی داده است / بر سرم مال ای مسیحا زود دست

Translation: Since God has granted you (O Emad al-Molk) a connection, Lay your hand upon my head, O Messiah, quickly. Meaning: This verse expresses the desperate plea of a man to the virtuous minister, Emad al-Molk, asking him to intercede with God on behalf of his horse, which he considers essential to his very life, invoking the minister's spiritual connection and healing power.

This verse emerges from one of the Mathnawi's dramatic and passionate moments, where Mevlana unveils the profound depths of human attachments and the fervor of love. The lines are spoken by a man whose horse faces confiscation by the Shah, and who believes his very life is tied to the animal. In the throes of despair, he seeks refuge and intercession from Emad al-Molk, a virtuous minister (whom Mevlana describes as 'rad,' or chivalrous), known for his piety and spiritual disciplines.

What is crucial here is the manner of the man's plea: "Since God has granted you a connection, / Lay your hand upon my head, O Messiah, quickly." He points to Emad al-Molk's 'connection' (peyvastegī) with God; as if a thread of divine grace and link exists between the minister and the Divine Truth. This 'connection,' in the man's belief and Mevlana's affirmation, elevates Emad al-Molk to the status of a 'Messiah.' The Messiah is one who, through his 'breath' (dam) and 'hand,' bestows life, resurrects the dead, and heals. The man articulates that his soul is intertwined with his horse, and separation from it means his own death. Thus, he implores Emad al-Molk to lay his messianic hand upon his head and avert this separation through his intercession.

I have often stated that Mevlana perceives this world as a perfect order (nizām-i ahsan) and is seldom given to lamentation or complaint. Yet, this does not mean he ignores human suffering or existential anxieties. Here, the ardent attachment that binds 'soul' to 'horse' stems not from expediency or 'ceremony and deceit' (as the man himself emphasizes), but from the depths of human affection. This heartfelt articulation is itself a form of cry 'without thanks and without complaint'—a shout from within that, by appealing to 'connection with the Truth,' ultimately holds out hope for resolution.

In this narrative, Mevlana underscores the importance of 'mediation' and 'intercession.' Emad al-Molk, due to his piety and proximity to the Divine, can serve as a bridge to resolve the man's predicament. This mirrors the role of prophets who stand between creation and the Creator to heal pains and untie knots. Much like a gnostic ('arif) who is 'sea-like' and becomes a 'saviour of the drowned' (munjī gharīq), Emad al-Molk here acts as the rescuer of this drowning soul. This verse is a miniature scene illustrating the power of love and connection with the divine friends, which, even in seemingly ordinary life matters, can bring life to what was dead.

Key takeaways

• The verse reflects ultimate human desperation and a plea for intercession from divine intermediaries.
• The man addresses Emad al-Molk as 'Messiah,' seeking his healing touch due to his 'connection' with God.
• Mevlana affirms the power of 'connection' with the Divine and the capacity of the virtuous for 'intercession' in life's challenges.
• This profound attachment to another being stems from the depths of the soul, not from pretense or calculation.
• The pain of separation from what one's life is tied to is a cry deeper than ordinary complaint or gratitude.