The Sixth Matter
As for the fruits of speech, they are the meanings obtained on various levels in various forms.
Thus: as is known by those familiar with chemistry, when some matter, for example an element (unsur) like gold is produced, it is passed through various machines and pipes with their sedimentation, and assumes various forms at various stages. Finally, an amount is obtained from it. Like a reduced photograph taken with a camera and comprising various meanings, called speech, various ideas take form is this way:
By some of the heart’s sensitivities being stimulated by outside influences, inclinations arise. As a consequence, empty meanings impinge on the intellect’s view, and turn it towards themselves. Then with some of those steam‑like meanings condensing, a number of inclinations and ideas are suspended, while the intellect shows an interest in others since they are distilled into droplets. Then since some of those that are liquid solidify, the intellect includes them in speech. Then since some of the solidified meanings take on a form and manifestation through a particular depiction, the intellect presents the meanings with a particular figure in accordance with their stature.
That is to say, those thus distinguished are assimilated in the particular form of the speech. Those that do not solidify are handed to its general tenor and import. And those that are not reproduced are assigned to the speech’s implications. Those that are not distilled are handed over to the speech’s allusions, and those that are not condensed assist the speech’s effectiveness through the speaker’s attitude which accompanies the speech.
Thus, of the pipes of this sequence, the one named, and the verb’s meaning, and what is indicated by the letters, and contained in the ordering, and understood by the whole, and alluded to by the style, and referred to by what is denoted, are the stimuli arising from the speaker’s attitudes which escort the speech. So too, what is intended by the literal meanings, the allusive meanings, the analogical meanings, the necessary meanings, and others, all come together from the sequence’s different levels and emerge from this mine.
If you would like to observe this, take a look at your own conscience; you will see the levels, as follows: If, sometime, the rays and flashes of your beloved’s beauty shine on your conscience through window of your eyes, the searing fire of passion will suddenly flare up. On the emotions swelling, hopes and desires will be fired also, and because those hopes will pierce the ceiling of the imagination on the upper floor, calling for help; and because in the treasury of imagination, ranged in rank they hold the beloved’s beauties in their hands or picture them on bringing them to mind, the imaginings, sated with the loveliness of others, hasten to the aid of those hopes. Together they assault, and together descending from imagination to tongue, the beloved’s beauties cause thirst for the water of union from behind them, and on the right grief at separation, on the left yearning to exalt and extol, before them mercy and kindness, and to take in their hands the necklace of compliment and pearls of rapture. In so doing they evince the need to describe her virtues, which draw the water of union, so to extinguish the fire, which may be depicted as, The fire kindled [by Allah to scorch] hearts(cf. 104:6‑7).
See how many meanings appear besides the few levels you know. If you are undaunted, take a look at the awesome consciences of Ibn al‑Fāriḍ and Abū Ṭayyib through their own eyes. Consider the following interpreters of the conscience:
With a glance I planted a rose on her cheek;
To pick what I have planted is my eye’s entitlement.
Also, For my eyes and innards, the healer who visited me recited The first [verse] of “Has there not been” and the third of “Perish the hands!”
Also, My thirst for you is met only by rejection, why? For my heart is torn to shreds out of love for you?
Also, My innards are being roasted in red‑hot embers, While my eyes are feasting in a garden of beauty. Listen to these and see how their eyes roam in Paradise while the Hell in their consciences torments them. Both pointing to the beloved’s beauty, alluding to her aloofness, hinting at the pain of separation, stating their ardour, indicating their desire for union, and describing her beauty which excites their compassion, they point out many tender imaginings from the mass of feelings that excite the emotions.
Indication In the working of any government, the officials should all be given wages commensurate with their capabilities, duties, and functions. Similarly, the muddle of meanings proceeding from the various levels of speech should be distinguished from one another fairly and carefully, appropriately to their dues, and proportionately to their closeness to the general aim, purpose, and intention. Then from the proportion proceeding from the order, which results from that balance, and from the agreeable harmony proceeding from the proportionateness, and from the beauty of the relationships proceeding from the harmony, a fine balance may emerge to achieve the speech’s perfection.
Otherwise those who should serve yet have puerile natures become conceited and in their conceit, confuse the relationships and spoil the order. This means that the capabilities of the parts of speech should be borne in mind. Yes, each should be promoted in accordance with its abilities. It is clear that however beautiful a member like an eye or nose may be, if it is smaller or bigger than it should be, it renders the whole ugly.
Note Sometimes a lowly private may perform a task, for example, discover the enemy’s secrets, that a field marshall could not perform. Or a young student may carry out some task that an eminent scholar could not perform. For an eminent person is not necessarily eminent in everything. Everyone is eminent or proficient in his own profession. Similarly, among conflicting meanings, a minor meaning may govern and gain value. For its function has importance due to some future cause. The thrust of the speech is thus because the explicit meaning lacks competence.
For it is either clear and obvious, or it is tenuous and slight, and adds nothing to the main aim of the speech. Or there is no addressee to greet it favourably and accept and heed it. Or it is neither in agreement with the speaker’s state of mind nor does it serve the impulse which prompted the speech. Or it appears alien to its context and implications. Or it lacks the ability to preserve its aim and procure its necessities. This means that at each level only one of these causes is heeded. Nevertheless, if they unite, they raise the speech to the highest level.
Conclusion
There are some suspended meanings which have no defined form or particular domicile. They can enter all the bureaux like inspectors. Sometimes they assume a word particular to themselves. They are ephemeral, significative meanings. They draw other words into themselves and absorb them. Sometimes they penetrate a sentence or a story even. If such a sentence is pressed, the meaning may be distilled from it; such meanings as longing, desire, self‑praise, regret, and so on.