M6:3458 — در دل خوارمشه این دم کار کرد / اسپ را در منظر شه خوار کرد

Translation: This breath [of words] took effect in Khwārazm-shāh's heart; It rendered the horse worthless in the king's sight.

Meaning: A seemingly minor comment by ʿImād al-Mulk completely altered Khwārazm-shāh's perception of his horse, making it appear insignificant and flawed.

This couplet, among others, is where Mawlānā delves into the profound power of words and their impact on human perception and judgment. It is not merely a story on the surface, but a deep lesson in epistemology and spiritual psychology.

I say: "This breath [of words] took effect." This 'breath' (dam), or merely a word, a hint, a subtle suggestion, worked its magic so thoroughly that it turned Khwārazm-shāh's perception upside down. This is an event that frequently occurs in our daily lives; a single utterance, without strong rational backing, can cool hearts and blind eyes. Mawlānā then deepens this point with the analogy of the 'matchmaker' (dallāla) and 'Yūsuf.' When the matchmaker or describer is biased (gharaḍ-dār) and personal motives intervene, they can, with "three cubits of coarse cloth" (se gaz karbās), buy or sell a Yūsuf; that is, they can trample immense value for a trivial price. This echoes the story of Yūsuf, who was sold for "counted dirhams" (darāhim maʿdūda), and for whom 'asceticism' (zuhd) was practiced in the sense of deeming him worthless.

This principle applies not only to goods and transactions but also to faith and spirituality. In moments of spiritual agony or at the time of death's approach (iḥtiḍār), Mawlānā states that the 'demonic matchmaker' (dīv-i dallāl) enters the arena of faith, and the fool (ablah) sells his faith (īmān) for a mere "jug of water" (abrīq-i āb). In such straits, he succumbs to a pure illusion, losing his eternal treasure. This is the "rotten walnut" (jōz-i pūsīde) to which the world (dunyā) is likened; from afar it appears beautiful and full, but when you crack it open, you find it hollow and devoid of kernel. This is not limited to worldly possessions and status; many 'earthly sciences,' too, initially captivate but ultimately prove to be hollow and empty within. Therefore, foresight and looking to the 'consequence' (maʾāl), as opposed to merely the 'present state' (ḥāl), acquire vital importance. The 'wise one' (ʿāqil) is one who considers outcomes, not the raw, unripe appearances initially presented as sweet, false promises.

But the discourse here ascends to a higher plane. From the perspective of mystics and divine friends, nothing in the world occurs by chance. ʿImād al-Mulk was merely a 'pretext' (bahāna). It was the 'Sole Judge' (Diyyān-i fard), God Almighty, who, "out of necessity" (az niyāz) and for a divine wisdom, rendered that horse undesirable in the king's heart. ʿImād al-Mulk's words were merely the 'sound of a door' (bāng-i dar) that was knocked, drawing a veil over the king's eyes. This indicates the 'unity of divine acts' (tawḥīd-i afʿālī); that all actions ultimately originate from God, and whatever we perceive in the world as cause and effect is but a "diffused illusion on the highway" (khayālī muntashir bar shāhrāh) used for the order of worldly affairs, while the hidden truth lies behind these veils. God applies a collyrium to the eyes of some, enabling them to see 'guidance' (rushd) and truth beyond a hundred veils. However, Khwārazm-shāh, "abandoned his own eye and chose his [ʿImād al-Mulk's] eye"; "he left his own intellect and listened to his [ʿImād al-Mulk's] words." This is the ultimate heedlessness: surrendering one's own judgment and insight to another, especially to someone who is biased or merely superficial. Mawlānā warns us to open our own eyes and perceive with our own intellect and insight, rather than "selling our minds to others" and allowing them to sow whatever they wish within.

Key takeaways

• The Profound Power of Words: Even a subtle comment can entirely alter human perception and valuation.
• The Deception of the Biased Matchmaker: Those with ulterior motives can, through their words, make the most valuable things appear worthless and sell them for a pittance.
• The World as a 'Rotten Walnut': Mawlānā likens the world, and even some of its sciences, to a rotten walnut—alluring on the outside but hollow within.
• The Eye of the Present vs. The Eye of Consequence: The critical importance of foresight and considering the outcomes of affairs, as opposed to superficiality and hasty judgment.
• Mystical Providence: From the mystic's perspective, every event in the world, while appearing to have earthly causes, is fundamentally guided by divine will for deeper purposes.
• The Necessity of Vigilance and Self-Reliance: One must not surrender their own perception and intellect to others; individuals must see and judge with their own insight.
• The Battle with the Demonic Broker: In critical moments, Satan (the 'demonic matchmaker') employs illusory deceptions to snatch away faith, demanding deep insight.