M6:175 — صد هزاران آفرین بر جان او / بر قدوم و دور فرزندان او

Translation: Hundreds of thousands of blessings upon his (the Prophet's) soul, Upon the steps and paths of his spiritual children.

Meaning: This verse offers a prayer of blessing upon the Prophet Muhammad and extends it to his spiritual progeny and followers who walk his path, emphasizing a lineage beyond mere blood.

This verse follows Mowlana’s discourse on the exalted station and spiritual guardianship (walāyat) of the Prophet Muhammad. As I have often asserted, Mowlana perceives the Prophet not merely as the Seal of Prophets (Khātam al-Anbiyāʾ), but as the opener of the world’s locks, expressing this with the phrase “endless opening upon opening.” In such a context, this verse offers a blessing for the Prophet himself and then for his 'children.'

I firmly believe that Mowlana’s use of 'children' here does not refer to mere physical or lineal descendants. Rather, he alludes to 'spiritual children' and 'blessed successors' who are born from the 'essence of the Prophet's soul and heart' (ʿunṣur-i jān va dil-ash), not from his 'water and clay' (āb va gil). This profound expression emphasizes a spiritual and guardianship-based connection that transcends mere blood and bodily ties. For Mowlana, anyone who has drawn from the Prophet's spirit and heart, and has been nurtured in the embrace of his walāyat, is his true child, regardless of any genealogical link.

This perspective opens a window into the expansive and inclusive worldview of Mowlana. He explicitly states that these spiritual children can come from anywhere in the world: 'Whether they be from Baghdad, Herat, or Rayy, they are his lineage without the admixture of water and clay.' Material geography, physical lineage, and even nationality hold no sway in this spiritual bond. This statement gains added significance in the historical context of Mowlana’s time, years after the fall of Baghdad and the Abbasid Caliphate. Mowlana had lost hope in outward centers of power, turning his gaze towards intrinsic, timeless connections.

Mowlana firmly believes that God’s saints and those who have truly attained His spiritual domain are fundamentally one. As he says, 'Wherever a rose branch sprouts, it is still a rose.' This unity of souls transcends apparent differences and sectarian divisions; there is no longer Shia or Sunni, for all are oriented towards a single qibla and a single sun. This is the pervasive and unifying vision that permeates the entire Masnavi, inviting us beyond mere forms.

Ultimately, this blessing and acclamation celebrate a spiritual lineage—a lineage that extends not through blood and soil, but through light and soul, opening the path for every seeker of truth. This lineage stands in direct contrast to those 'bat-natured' individuals Mowlana often speaks of—those whose eyes are closed to the sun of truth and who fail to see even the guiding stars (a reference to the Prophet's companions).

Key takeaways

• The 'children' referred to are the Prophet's spiritual descendants, not merely his physical lineage.
• The spiritual connection to the Prophet emanates from the 'soul and heart,' not from 'water and clay' or race.
• This spiritual guardianship transcends geographical and national boundaries, embracing all.
• All of God's saints are one in their spiritual essence, devoid of superficial differences.
• Mowlana emphasizes inclusiveness and inner unity in understanding the Prophet's 'lineage.'
• This blessing celebrates a path that, for both the Prophet and his followers, unlocks the world's mysteries.