M6:2639 — ماهی بریان ز آسیب خضر / زنده شد در بحر گشت او مستقر

Translation: The roasted fish, by Khidr's touch, / Came alive and settled in the sea. Meaning: This verse alludes to a miraculous tale where a dead, roasted fish is revived by the touch of the prophet Khidr and subsequently finds its true home, the sea.

This verse alludes to a marvelous and legendary story that holds a lofty place in our mystical literature: the tale of the roasted fish and Khidr. Khidr is a hidden and immortal prophet, whose lifespan is said to stretch across history, and wherever he steps, the ground turns green and verdant, for his name itself is rooted in 'khadra' meaning greenness. He perpetually bestows freshness and life, embodying existence's verdancy and perpetuity.

The story goes that a fish, cooked and devoid of any sign of life, suddenly springs to life through Khidr's 'āseb,' or more accurately, his 'effect' or 'touch.' This 'āseb' is by no means an injury or harm; rather, it is a life-giving, miraculous force emanating from Khidr's sacred being. The revived fish immediately returns to the sea and settles there, meaning it reverts to its origin, its natural habitat from which life springs.

This is a profound allegory for the astonishing power of companionship and communion with the friends of God (awliyā) and His prophets. Just as a dead fish is brought to life by a breath from Khidr's holy spirit and returns to the sea of being, a weary and bewildered seeker, distanced from their true origin and roasted in the fire of separation and heedlessness, can receive new life from a glance or a word from a spiritual master. Such a soul can return to the sea of gnosis and truth. This 'himmat' (spiritual resolve or energy) that flows from the heart of a saint or a prophet is capable of reviving roasted fish and settling them in their original sea. This demonstrates that some spiritual occurrences are so profound and unexpected that they operate outside our normal logical frameworks. They are not merely the product of our efforts but are gifts from the realm of the unseen and divine grace, reaching us through the conduit of God's chosen ones.

Key takeaways

• The term 'āseb' here signifies a life-giving effect or touch, not harm or injury.
• The roasted fish symbolizes souls that are spiritually dead or weary from separation.
• The fish's revival and return to the sea represents spiritual resurrection and a return to one's true origin (the sea of gnosis).
• This verse highlights the miraculous power of companionship and the 'himmat' (spiritual resolve/energy) of saints and prophets in reviving hearts.
• Khidr embodies eternal life and the unseen force that brings forth growth and freshness.