The Prophet · Chapter
The Prophet explained
Almustafa, the chosen and beloved prophet, has waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship to return.
What happens
Almustafa, the chosen and beloved prophet, has waited twelve years in the city of Orphalese for his ship to return. On the day of his departure, the people gather and entreat him to speak before he leaves. Almitra, the seeress, asks him to share his wisdom. Almustafa delivers a series of poetic discourses on the fundamental aspects of human life, including love, marriage, children, giving, work, joy and sorrow, and death. After his teachings, he descends the temple steps, boards his ship, and bids farewell to the people. As the ship departs eastward, Almitra stands alone on the seawall, watching him leave.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Transformation
Almustafa's discourse on love emphasizes its power to transform and guide, even through pain and growth.
Joy and Sorrow Duality
Almustafa teaches that joy and sorrow are inseparable, each giving depth to the other.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep.”
When love calls, you must follow, even if the path is difficult and challenging.
Almustafa's opening advice on love encourages surrender to its transformative journey.
“Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.”
Joy and sorrow are two sides of the same coin; the source of your laughter is also the source of your tears.
Almustafa explains the deep interconnection between joy and sorrow in human experience.