M6:4379 — او گمان برده که لشکر می‌کشید / بهر اهل بیت او زر می‌کشید

Translation: He thought he was raising an army [for himself], But for the People of the House, he was drawing gold. Meaning: This verse illustrates how human intentions and actions, even those aimed at harm or self-gain, can be subtly redirected by divine will to produce outcomes that are entirely opposite and beneficial for others, revealing a hidden grace at play.

This verse, truly, portrays one of the most beautiful manifestations of lutf-e khafi (hidden grace); a foundational concept in mystical wisdom and theology. Here, from within the story of Abraha and his expedition to destroy the Kaaba and humiliate the Arabs, Mawlana unveils a profound truth: that the divine will, from the very core of human malice and evil, creates a hidden good. Abraha imagined that with his elephants and army, he would demolish the House around which Arabs circumambulated, scattering and debasing the people of Mecca. His intention was nothing but destruction and dominance.

However, what transpired was precisely the opposite. Not only was the Kaaba not destroyed, and Abraha himself fell into disgrace, but the vast equipment he had brought for war became spoils for the poor Arabs, enriching them. It is here that Mawlana, with his firm and clear tone, states: "He thought he was raising an army," meaning, in his delusion, he believed he was realizing his own will and intention. Yet, the truth was that "for the People of the House, he was drawing gold." In fact, Abraha, without knowing it, not only failed to harm the Kaaba but served its people (who symbolize truth and reality) and became a source of their wealth. This is a general rule that permeates the entire Mathnawi.

This resonates with the Quranic verse: "And they (disbelievers) schemed, and Allah (also) schemed. And Allah is the best of schemers" (3:54). Allah is the most artful of schemers, not in the sense of negative deceit, but in the sense of hidden planning and the penetration of His will into the plans of others. How often does good come in the guise of evil, and guidance appear in the cloak of error? Sometimes errors become preludes to guidance; a person takes a crooked path, but that crookedness, by the hand of divine hidden grace, becomes a harvest-ground of benevolence and good.

Mawlana recalls the pithy sayings of Imam Ali (A.S.), who said: "I knew God through the cancellation of resolves and the annulment of intentions" (ʿaraftu Allah bi-fasakh al-ʿazāʾim wa naqḍ al-himam). This means precisely at the moment a person sets a firm resolve and makes an intention, destiny cancels that resolve and annuls that intention, yielding an unexpected, even contradictory, outcome. This verse fits precisely within this context: Abraha resolved to destroy, but the Most High God annulled his intention, and the result was nothing but the honor and wealth of the people of the Kaaba. This is the zenith of a hidden grace that Allah places an antidote within poison, and bestows forgiveness as a robe of honor even in sin, provided that sin leads to repentance and remorse. This is a miracle that even the virtuous do not partake in, because the grace of repentance is reserved for sinners; a grace that not only cleanses sins but transforms them into good deeds, elevating a person to higher stations. This 'grace of sin' must be properly understood.

Thus, this verse is not merely a historical anecdote but a profound theological lesson: God is dominant, and His will prevails over every intention. Humanity must always live in a state of both fear and hope: no righteous person should be without waja (fear of falling), and no transgressor should be without raja (hope in divine mercy). For even in the peak of human wickedness, Allah's hidden grace can transform it into an instrument for the realization of good.

Key takeaways

• Human actions and intentions, even those seemingly negative, can be subtly redirected by divine will to produce entirely opposite and beneficial outcomes.
• Divine 'hidden grace' (lutf-e khafi) can transform evil into good, and apparent error into guidance.
• Even malicious intents of adversaries (like Abraha) can ultimately lead to the honor and enrichment of those on the side of truth.
• Understanding God is achieved through the 'cancellation of resolves and annulment of intentions' (fasakh al-ʿazāʾim wa naqḍ al-himam) of humans.
• The concept of 'Divine cunning' (makr-e Elahi) signifies God's ultimate sovereignty over all intentions and His supreme orchestration.
• A sin followed by sincere repentance can become a source of profound spiritual grace and elevation, surpassing the rewards of mere virtue.