M1:83 — باز عیسی چون شفاعت کرد حق / خوان فرستاد و غنیمت بر طبَق

Translation: Again, when Jesus interceded with God, He sent a bounteous table, a feast of grace.

Meaning: This verse references a Quranic narrative where, after the people of Moses' ingratitude caused the heavenly table (Mā'ida) to be withdrawn, Jesus interceded. In response to his plea, God once again sent down His table of blessings, showcasing divine mercy.

This verse is embedded within Mawlana's profound discourse on the paramount importance of adab (proper conduct or reverence) in spiritual life. Mawlana firmly believes that divine grace and favor do not descend without cause, nor is bi-adabi (improper conduct or disrespect) without consequence in receiving them. He masterfully employs the Quranic narrative of the heavenly table (Mā'ida) to substantiate this claim.

The people of Moses, through their bi-adabi and avarice—specifically, demanding 'garlic and lentils' from a table God had sent without obligation—caused this divine provision to be cut off. This is precisely the juncture where human impropriety meets the severance of divine grace. Bi-adabi not only deprives the individual but, as Mawlana asserts, 'sets fire to all horizons,' damaging humanity's existential connection to the source of being and mercy.

It is here that Jesus's intercession becomes prominent. With his characteristic adab and humility, Jesus intercedes for that ungrateful people, imploring God to restore His mercy. This intercession, in Mawlana's view, highlights God's infinite mercy as well as the exalted status of prophets and saints in His sight. God, through Jesus's mediation, sends back the table and its bounty; this renewal of grace testifies to God's magnanimity and generosity, who, despite ingratitude, does not close the door of His mercy to repentance and intercession.

However, Mawlana does not stop there; he warns that this cycle can recur: 'Again, the insolent abandoned adab / And picked up leftovers like beggars.' This verse indicates that the issue was not merely a singular act of bi-adabi; rather, bi-adabi and insolence become a persistent trait in some individuals. Mawlana declares, 'Suspicion and greed / Are tantamount to disbelief (kufr) before the Master's table.' This statement elevates bi-adabi to the level of kufr, as suspicion towards God and avarice in the face of His grace undermine the very foundation of faith. Mawlana explicitly states that every sorrow and darkness that befalls humanity originates from this very recklessness and insolence. Adab, therefore, is the guiding light of the spiritual path, while bi-adabi is a robber of souls and an impediment to receiving divine grace.

Key takeaways

• Adab (reverence/proper conduct) is the primary condition for receiving and sustaining divine grace and favor.
• Disrespect and ingratitude deprive not only the individual but also the community of divine blessings.
• The intercession of saints and prophets, such as Jesus, serves as a conduit for the return of divine mercy after human failings.
• Avarice and suspicion towards God in the face of His blessings are akin to kufr (disbelief).
• Mawlana illustrates a recurring pattern of human insolence met by subsequent divine mercy.
• Every sorrow and affliction in life, according to Mawlana, stems from human recklessness and insolence.