Concept Overview

In Poem 46 of Mokhtar Nameh, Attar of Nishapur explores the limitations of physical speech in expressing gratitude to the Divine, presenting instead the concept of universal, spiritual praise. When the human tongue fails to articulate adequate thanks, the entire being of the mystic—symbolized by every single hair speaking with a hundred tongues—joins in a chorus of infinite gratitude.

Key Themes

1. The Depth of Soulful Praise: Real praise (hamd) originates from the depths of the soul (jan), transcending physical, verbal utterance.
2. The Limitation of Verbal Gratitude: The tongue is inherently inadequate for conveying the true magnitude of divine gratitude (shukr).
3. Universal and Somatic Expression: When the physical tongue fails, the mystic's entire spiritual and physical existence (every hair) becomes an instrument of praise, illustrating total immersion (ghargh) in the Divine.