M6:1639 — جمله دنیا را پر پشه بها / سیلیی را رشوت بی‌منتها

Translation: The entire world is worth less than a gnat's wing; / For a single slap, an endless bribe. Meaning: Mowlana posits that the whole material world holds negligible value in God's sight. Yet, any divine affliction or hardship is, in truth, a prelude and a sign of boundless, infinite rewards and graces.

This verse is part of Mowlana’s direct and unfiltered speech, a 'qalāmshīṭ,' revealing a profound secret to the seeker. He exposes a hidden truth: the pains and hardships of the world, though outwardly unpalatable, are in fact divine 'na'l-e ma'kūs' – misleading signs that conceal profound realities. To a materialist, a divine 'slap' or affliction is simply loss and detriment. However, in Mowlana’s monotheistic worldview, no suffering is arbitrary or purposeless. God is not a sovereign who would deliver a 'slap' without subsequently bestowing a 'crown and throne.' Rather, every divine 'slap' is a 'bribe' (a metaphor for boundless reward) and a prelude to graces and elevations beyond our immediate comprehension, which, to the discerning mystic, taste sweet.

Mowlana explicitly declares that the entire 'world' with all its superficial allure holds less value than a 'gnat’s wing' in the divine scale. This expression underscores the profound insignificance of the material realm, a realm that complacent and heedless individuals spend their entire lives pursuing. In contrast, a single hardship or 'slap' from the Divine is not only compensated with an 'endless bribe' but inherently contains a hidden treasure. This recompense might not be outwardly tangible in this world, or it may be spiritual in nature, or even benefit others; divine pathways are infinite.

This perspective grants true peace of mind to the believer, who understands that they are not a meaningless victim. The prophets, whose sufferings surpassed all others, were exalted precisely for this reason. They embraced divine 'slaps' and thereby ascended to the highest stations. However, Mowlana adds a crucial condition: to receive these rewards, the seeker must be 'present' and 'aware.' If one is heedless and unaware, not 'at home' in their own heart, they will miss the divine 'robe of honor.' That is, they will endure pain but, being unaware, will neither understand its cause nor perceive its reward, mistakenly deeming it futile. This constant self-awareness and vigilance, akin to what Imam Ali (AS) described as the believer’s 'soul being accused in his presence,' is the key to unlocking this secret; for our comfort-seeking ego often diverts us from the path of acquiring virtues and perfections that demand effort, thereby depriving us of the treasures hidden within suffering.

Key takeaways

• Every affliction from God inherently contains infinite blessings and rewards; this divine 'slap' is an 'endless bribe.'
• The entire material world's value in God's eyes is less than a 'gnat's wing'; fixation on it deprives one of true treasures.
• Hardships and sufferings are divine 'reverse horseshoe prints,' appearing unpleasant but concealing immense truth and good.
• Prophets and saints achieved exaltation and perfection by enduring divine sufferings; hardship is a staircase to ascent.
• To perceive and receive the rewards hidden in suffering, one must be 'present' and 'aware'; heedlessness deprives us of this divine robe of honor.