The Application of Esoteric Interpretation (taʾwīl) to Wisdom, Mystery, and Cause

Esoteric interpretation (taʾwīl), meaning to refer back or return, is a comprehensive concept with multiple instances: Sometimes the reference is within the realm of essence or mental concept, sometimes it is in the axis of the external instance of the word’s meaning, and sometimes it is in the axis of analyzing and explaining an external event whose secret is hidden and becomes apparent through reference. In this type, what emerges from behind the veil and becomes known is neither the meaning of the word nor its instance, but rather the “wisdom, mystery, and cause” of the external thing; like what Khiḍr explained to Moses: “That is the explanation (taʾwīl) of that about which you could not have patience.”(439)

Khiḍr said to Moses that the explanation (taʾwīl) of what you could not have patience with was as I told you: “That is the explanation (taʾwīl) of that about which you could not have patience.” The three matters mentioned in Khiḍr’s speech were answers to Moses’ questions, and God arranged the scene in such a way that the answerer’s response was sufficient to resolve the questioner’s inquiry, and both the question and answer were based on wisdom and benefit. If Khiḍr had told Moses at the beginning that he was commanded to do certain things and his actions were not of his own accord, there would have been no questions; but it was beneficial that he said at the end: “I did not do it of my own accord” so that the method of acquiring knowledge would also be taught.

If Khiḍr had not been commanded to reveal and implement these secrets, he would never have acted upon the esoteric meaning, nor would he have proceeded based on esoteric interpretation (taʾwīl); he was a divine agent commanded to perform a series of actions with hidden meanings and then explain their interpretations.