M6:4367 — زوترش بردار آویزید کو / عیسی است از دست ما تخلیط‌جو

Translation: Hang him quickly! He is Jesus, seeking mischief from us! Meaning: This verse recounts the insistence of Jesus's pursuers, who, despite the protestations of the person arrested in his place, demand his immediate execution, calling him "Jesus, the mischief-maker."

This verse is one of those dramatic and profoundly meaningful passages that Rumi employs to expound upon one of his deepest and most subtle teachings: the divine Luṭf-i Khafī (Subtle Grace). In Rumi's perspective, the world does not operate by blind fate, but according to God's hidden will and wisdom. God is the best of planners, and as the Quran states: «وَمَكَروا وَمَكَرَ اللَّهُ ۖ وَاللَّهُ خَيرُ الماكِرينَ» (They schemed, and God schemed, and God is the best of schemers).

In this narrative, the 'prince' (often associated with Pontius Pilate in historical accounts) incited by the Jews, dispatches agents to arrest and crucify Jesus. Jesus hides in a house. However, what transpires is not what the enemies intend. According to Rumi, echoing the Quranic and Islamic tradition, God transforms another individual to resemble Jesus, and this look-alike is arrested instead. Rumi beautifully states that Jesus, in that very house, becomes 'crowned' (tāj-dār), meaning he ascends to the heavens and attains a position of glory. In contrast, the look-alike becomes 'crowned' on the gallows (tāj-e dār), meaning he is led to the cross.

In this specific verse, we witness the climactic moment where the mistaken individual, on the cross, cries out: "Do not hang me! I am not Jesus! I am a leader among you Jews!" He swears that he is not Jesus and belongs to their own community. But the enemies, whose eyes are blinded by malice and cunning, refuse to listen. They adamantly and furiously declare: "Hang him quickly! He is Jesus, seeking mischief from us!" Meaning, this man is none other than Jesus, the instigator of discord who seeks to disrupt their affairs, and must be executed immediately.

The most crucial point here is this: what the enemies intend for Jesus's humiliation and destruction ultimately leads to his glorification and ascension. Their ill intention, through divine Luṭf-i Khafī, transforms into a benevolent outcome. This is a profound lesson: sometimes the most apparent evils conceal the greatest blessings. Outward error or misfortune can be a prelude to spiritual growth and benefit; a sin coupled with sincere repentance can become a gateway to grace that never befalls the innocent. This is a manifestation of that 'subtle grace' which places the antidote within the poison, and hides a blessing behind every apparent wrath. This profound wisdom remains hidden from ordinary sight but is unveiled for the mystics. In this world, no benevolent person should feel safe from the possibility of slipping, and no wrongdoer should despair of hope for forgiveness and transformation.

Key takeaways

• The malicious intent of enemies is transformed by divine will into good and glory; what appears as wrath holds hidden grace.
• The narrative of Jesus's crucifixion (as per Islamic tradition) serves as a prime example of God's Luṭf-i Khafī.
• Appearances can be deceptive; apparent misfortunes sometimes conceal hidden divine blessings.
• Evil actions often inadvertently serve a higher, benevolent purpose within the cosmic scheme.
• God, the best of schemers, turns plots against His chosen ones into their exaltation and spiritual ascent.
• No righteous person should feel secure from error, and no wrongdoer should despair of hope for forgiveness.