Exegesis and Mystical Path in Relation to Divine Names

“They have hearts with which they do not understand, and eyes with which they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear.” (Al-A‘raf: 179)
They possess hearts through which they do not comprehend the truth, eyes through which they do not perceive, and ears through which they do not hear.

This verse carries two interpretations: firstly, that each individual possesses a single heart; secondly, that each individual possesses multiple hearts that have not yet reached actualization. This multiplicity of hearts refers to the diversity of human spiritual potential, which requires actualization through nearness and divine grace.

The verse emphasises the lack of actualization of human cognitive capacities, which constitutes an obstacle to divine proximity. Multiple hearts signify latent potentials that actualize through connection with the divine names.

The Pineal Heart and Harmony with Natural Sciences

The distinction between the spiritual heart and the physical (pineal) heart is addressed here. A medical example (double heart transplantation) raises an apparent contradiction with the Qur’anic verse; however, this is dismissed through reasoning. If two physical hearts operate synchronously, the unity of the heart remains intact, and the verse is not contradicted. This harmony between natural sciences and Qur’anic knowledge underlines the necessity of precise comprehension of the Qur’an in light of scientific advances.

Actualization of the Heart and Connection to Divine Names

The heart, as the vessel for receiving knowledge, can only connect to the divine names through actualization. This process is achieved via interaction with the divine names, especially through nearness and grace. An inactive heart obstructs the reception of divine knowledge, and the seeker must attain this actualization through spiritual practice.

Key Point: The actualization of the heart is a fundamental condition for connection to divine names and reception of knowledge, made possible through divine proximity and grace.

Hierarchies of Knowledge in Spiritual Practice

The mystical path encompasses hierarchies beginning with the heart’s actualization. The seeker initially attains grace and proximity through the divine names, then activates the heart, reaches the inner secrets (sara’ir) of the heart, and ultimately gains access to the truths (kalam). This ascending progression—from heart to inner essence to divine knowledge—constitutes the core axis of mystical practice.

Human Descent and Ascent with Divine Names

The dual movement of humans, comprising descent from divine names in creation and ascent towards them in spiritual practice, forms the principal axis of existence. Descent represents the manifestation of humans in the created realm, while ascent signifies their return to the divine through knowledge and nearness. This dual motion illustrates the continuity of human existence with the divine names.

Purification Through Divine Names and Divine Love

A virtuous heart, upon connection with the divine names, attains purification, being cleansed from sensual and material veils. This purification transcends external rituals (such as ablution or full-body washing) and refers to inner purity that elevates the seeker to the rank of the purified.

Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves. (Al-Baqarah: 222)

This verse emphasises divine love for the purified, interpreted in this context as purification through connection to divine names.

Key Point: Purification via divine names entails the cleansing of the heart from egoic veils and connection to the beautiful names, guiding the seeker to divine love.

Transformation of Perceptions to Kalam and Divine Names

In the process of spiritual practice, the seeker’s perceptions (inner senses) transform into the heart, the heart into inner secrets, and the inner secrets into kalam and divine names. This transformation illustrates the seeker’s progression from external perceptions to inner and divine knowledge.

Complexity in Relation to the Truth and Divine Names

The narration “We are the beautiful names” signifies the seeker’s complete connection to the divine names and the integration of his existence with the truth. This station represents the pinnacle of mystical practice, where the seeker is entirely immersed in the beautiful names and reaches annihilation in God (fana fi Allah).

Proximity to God and Sincerity in Worship

The phrase “qurbatan ila Allah” at the beginning of prayer signifies a pure intention to approach God. The subtle lexical distinction between “qurb” (nearness) and “ghurbat” (estrangement) reflects the nuance in intention, which can divert worship from nearness to estrangement.

Key Point: Sincere intention in worship (qurbatan ila Allah) connects the act to divine action and enhances its spiritual weight.

Spiritual Weight of Pure Worship

Pure worship performed with the intention of qurbatan ila Allah carries profound spiritual significance, elevating the seeker to nearness and preventing superficiality in external acts. “Seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humble.” (Al-Baqarah: 45) indicates the greatness of worship performed with sincerity.

The Seeker’s Knowledge Progression

The spiritual path unfolds gradually: first, the heart is activated; then the seeker reaches the inner secrets; thereafter, he receives the noble truths; and finally, he attains the divine effusions. This trajectory represents the movement from external capacities to reception of divine wisdom.

Degrees of Proximity Among Prophets and Saints

Prophets and saints differ in their proximity to the divine names. Each, depending on their capacity and rank, connects to a specific number of names. This hierarchical variation highlights the diversity of epistemic levels.

The Role of the Awaited Imam (A.J.) in Illuminating the Names

The appearance of Imam al-Qa’im (may Allah hasten his reappearance) coincides with the revelation of divine names and the unification of human intellects. This spiritual awakening activates human epistemic capacities, as though the darkness of occultation transforms into the light of knowledge.

Key Point: The emergence of Imam al-Qa’im (A.J.) revitalizes hearts and brings spiritual awakening through the illumination of divine names.

The Heart and Divine Names During Occultation and Manifestation

During the occultation, the absence of direct guidance from the infallible causes opacity of hearts and difficulty in accessing divine names. Conversely, in the time of manifestation, hearts are renewed, and the capacity to receive divine knowledge increases.

The Gifted Nature of Divine Effusion

Divine effusion and gifts are granted and do not depend on human effort. This effusion, like rainfall, descends according to divine will, and the seeker must place themselves in receptivity.

Key Point: Divine knowledge and gifts are given by grace, not acquired through effort.

Distinction Between the Beloved and the Lover

The beloved (those loved by God) are distinct from the lovers (those who love God). Some receive divine gifts while others do not, according to divine decree.

Divine Knowledge and Truths

Knowledge refers to the internal and active aspect of divine truths, whereas truths denote their external and objective aspect. This distinction underscores the difference between inner comprehension and outward manifestations.

The Mature Heart and the Spirit

A mature heart has reached spiritual perfection and is liberated from egoic limitations. With purity and elevation, it connects to the spirit, manifesting virtues such as chivalry, courage, and justice.

Treasure of Divine Names

The divine names’ treasures serve as intermediaries between divine essence and human potential. These intermediate ranks transmit divine effusion to creatures and play a central role in the relationship between the truth and creation.

Metaphorical Effusion: “Rainfall”

The metaphor of “rainfall” likens divine effusion to rain, descending unbidden and without intermediaries upon the hearts of the mystics. This emphasizes the gifted nature of divine knowledge.

Distinction Between Acquired Knowledge and Divine Gifts

Acquired knowledge results from human effort, whereas divine knowledge, prophecy, mission, and guardianship are all gifts. This distinction highlights the superiority of divine gifts over human achievement.

Purity as the Key to Success in the Path

Mystical practice relies on purity and sincerity. Multiplicity of actions or acquired knowledge without purity does not lead to perfection. Purity prepares the heart to receive divine effusion.

Key Point: Purity and sincerity are essential for success in mystical practice, preparing the heart to receive divine gifts.

Divine Gifts as Jewels of Perfection

Divine gifts, as spiritual jewels, replace acquired achievements. True perfection is attained through divine effusion rather than through excessive human effort.

Summary

This section of Manazil al-Sa’irin focuses on the path of the servant’s nearness to the Truth, outlining mystical stages centred on divine names, heart actualization, and purification through divine names. Concepts such as human descent and ascent, the role of the heart and inner secrets, and the gifted nature of divine effusion are systematically explained. Elevated metaphors, such as rainfall representing divine effusion, underscore the epistemic depth of the text. The emphasis on purity and sincerity illuminates the path to mystical perfection.

Intuitive and Scholarly Mystical Practice in Light of Divine Manifestations

The present study examines intuitive and scholarly mystical practice, the manifestations of divine essence and attributes, and the levels through which the seeker attains divine truth.

Self-Manifestation and Primordial Light

“And He revealed to them the tablets of eternity in the sheets of non-existence.”
That is, He illuminated for them the primordial lights of eternity through unveiling, manifesting His noble face in the self-manifestation of fixed realities in non-existence.

The knowledge of the mystics’ realities, prior to their appearance in the world, is depicted as “sheets,” representing knowledge latent in the unseen essence, manifesting in the archetypal book.

Explanation of Divine Manifestation in Fixed Realities

The text opens with “And He revealed to them the tablets of eternity in the sheets of non-existence,” referring to the illumination of primordial divine lights in the existential pages. This manifestation points to God’s self-manifestation in the fixed realities, which exist in the realm of non-existence prior to empirical manifestation. “Tablets of eternity” refer to primordial lights, and “sheets of non-existence” denote the existential receptacles of these truths. This manifestation, akin to light from the eternal sun, reveals existential realities to the seeker in the domain of divine knowledge.

Key Point:

Self-manifestation in fixed realities, like an eternal light, discloses existential truths in the domain of divine knowledge, guiding the seeker to the vision of divine unity.

Splendours of the Noble Face and Unmediated Manifestation

The commentator describes these primordial lights as “splendours of His noble face,” referring to the luminous manifestations of the divine essence in the seeker’s heart. This manifestation occurs in the domain of divine unity and without worldly intermediaries. The distinction between “noble face” and “face of God” highlights the difference between the direct manifestation of essence and the collective divine appearance.

Critique of the Term “Non-Existence”

Instead of “non-existence,” the term “eternal” should be employed, as it conveys a level beyond pre-eternity. “Non-existence” in mysticism implies objective non-being prior to outward manifestation, whereas “eternal” refers to the primordial divine level, beyond all specification. The proposed phrase, “And He revealed to them the tablets of eternity in the sheets of manifestation by unitive manifestation,” provides a more precise expression of the domain of divine unity.

Key Point:

Replacing “non-existence” with “eternal” enhances precision in mystical terminology, clarifying the level of divine unity.

Intuitive Practice and Levels of Divine Knowledge

“And guided them to the nearest paths.”
This represents the unitive path traversing all, which is the straight path specific to the Lord, as illustrated in the Qur’an: “There is no creature but that He holds its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path.” (Hud: 56). It is undoubtedly the nearest way.

Illumination and Truth in Mystical Practice

Through divine grace and attaining truth, the seeker reaches illumination and veracity, fulfilling the ultimate aim of knowledge. This illumination, akin to a ray of the sun of knowledge, guides the seeker from human perceptual darkness to the light of divine science. In this state, the seeker observes existential truths from a divine perspective, perceiving the fixed realities and divine knowledge.

Perspective in the Mystical Path: Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down

Mystical practice encompasses various levels of perception. The “bottom-up” perspective, limited to material and egoic perceptions, resembles observing shadows in a dark cave. Conversely, the “top-down” perspective, exclusive to saints and the knowledgeable, resembles viewing expansive plains from a high summit. This superior insight results from divine proximity, enabling the seeker to perceive the unity and vision of creation.

Key Point: The “top-down” perspective, like wings of knowledge, guides the seeker to comprehension of existential truths from a divine viewpoint.

Guidance to the Nearest Path

“The nearest paths” refers to the route directly guiding the seeker to the vision of divine truth. This path, like a clear stream, liberates the seeker from human perceptual limitations and connects him to divine knowledge. At this level, the seeker’s knowledge, will, and action align with divine truth, enabling him to perceive creation within the unity of divine reality.

Qur’anic Verses and Divine Unity

Indeed, my Lord is on a straight path. (Hud: 56)

This verse manifests divine perfection and absolute guidance. In mystical practice, it is interpreted as the seeker’s annihilation in divine will and knowledge, witnessing all existence within the domain of the straight path of God.