M6:1668 — آن زمان را محشر مذکور دان / وان گلوی رازگو را صور دان

Translation: That time, deem it the mentioned Resurrection; / And that secret-telling throat, deem it the Trumpet. Meaning: Rumi presents the Resurrection not merely as a future event, but also as a state that manifests in this world, exemplified by the revelation of secrets during conflicts.

This verse, interjected by Rumi parenthetically within the tale of the tailor and the Turk, serves to unveil a universal truth. I believe Rumi here introduces us to another kind of “Mahshar” (Resurrection or Day of Judgment); one that takes place in this very world, not merely at the end of time. The Holy Quran declares: “Yawma tubla al-sarāʾir” (The Day when secrets will be disclosed). Rumi takes this significant attribute of the Day of Judgment and shows us an earthly, everyday example of it: conflict and strife among people.

When two individuals engage in quarrel and conflict, out of anger and malice, they strip away each other’s secrets, metaphorically “airing each other’s dirty laundry.” Hidden faults and secrets are revealed, reputations are tarnished, and no veil remains. Rumi says: “Wherever you enter into battle, / You will see two revealing secrets there.” This moment, this “that time” of conflict and exposure, is akin to a “mentioned Mahshar.” Just as in colloquial Persian we say, “So-and-so created a Mahshar” or “raised a قیامت (Day of Judgment),” mostly referring to chaos and commotion, Rumi here emphasizes its “secret-revealing” aspect. This scene is itself a small example of the Day of Judgment, where hidden truths are made manifest.

And that “secret-telling throat” that exposes these secrets, that revealing voice, Rumi likens it to the “Trumpet of Israfil.” That same Trumpet that will be blown on the Day of Judgment, reviving the dead to gather for reckoning and have their secrets revealed. Here, that biting tongue and that throat which, in times of hostility, brazenly uncovers the secrets of others, acts as that Trumpet, whose blast initiates a small Mahshar and uncovers hidden realities.

Rumi, however, goes beyond this, placing a deeper theological insight behind this phenomenon. He states: “For God has created the means of anger, / And cast those disgraces into the street.” This implies that these conflicts and revelations of secrets are not merely accidental; rather, it is divine will that defects be unveiled. This is, in my view, the “theological function of conflict.” Elsewhere, Rumi says: “When God desires to tear one’s veil, / He inclines them to slander the pure.” Meaning, if God wishes to disgrace someone and expose their secrets, He first leads them to criticize and find fault with the pure; and this very act paves the way for their own disgrace. Or elsewhere, he says: “When God wishes to help us, / He inclines us towards lamentation.” Meaning, if divine will is set on assisting a servant, it moves them to tears and lamentation, because “Unless the sweetmeat-selling child weeps, / The sea of forgiveness will not surge.”

Therefore, this verse is not merely a description of an external event, but a warning about the causal link between our actions and the hidden divine will. This is a practical wisdom that Rumi subtly conveys: be careful that whenever you seek to expose the secrets of others, you place yourself at the threshold of a Mahshar where your own disgraces may also be revealed. This signifies the “tale-bearing of God”; that “Veiling God” who covers sins, if you cross the limit, will Himself become your “tale-bearer” and expose your secrets, as the subsequent verse states: “God indeed saw it, but He is by nature a coverer / But when you go beyond limits, He is your tale-bearer.”

Key takeaways

• The Mahshar (Resurrection) has manifestations in this world; the revelation of secrets is one such manifestation.
• Conflicts and the exposure of others' faults are miniature Resurrections, where veils are lifted from hidden truths.
• The 'secret-telling throat' in moments of hostility acts like Israfil's Trumpet, revealing secrets and inaugurating judgment.
• The revelation of secrets during conflicts is not accidental; it is divine will to unveil crookedness.
• God is the 'Coverer' of sins, but if a servant crosses the line, He becomes their 'Tale-bearer,' exposing their secrets.
• This verse serves as a practical warning: seeking to disgrace others can ultimately lead to one's own disgrace.