Divine Secrets and Mystical Path in Advanced Sufism

Gabriel descends inwardly into the heart of the Prophet. This supremacy, being a light, illuminates the exalted position of the Prophet in directly receiving divine knowledge.

For instance, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), by reaching the station of the heart, was capable of reciting the Qur’an even before its outward revelation. This highlights the capacity of the Auliya Allah (Friends of God) to grasp the secrets prior to their external manifestation.

Types of Secrets and Mystical Trials

Classification of Divine Secrets

Divine secrets are categorised into three types: the intrinsic secrets of God, the secrets of divine attributes, and the secrets of creation. God manifests with innumerable subtleties, being both ancient and consummate. This expression beautifully illustrates the vastness and diversity of divine secrets, encompassing everything from the infinite essence of God to the minutiae of creation.

Intrinsic secrets, like hidden treasures within the depths of the Divine essence, are accessible only to select saints. Secrets of attributes refer to general qualities of God, while secrets of creation concern the details of the universe and the manifestation of divine grace. The Qur’an, as an inexhaustible ocean, encompasses all these secrets, serving as a comprehensive source for spiritual seekers.

Key point: Divine secrets are divided into intrinsic, attributes-related, and creation-related categories. The Qur’an, as a comprehensive source, contains all these secrets and guides seekers along the path of knowledge.

Mysticism as a Path of Trial

Mysticism is a winding path full of continual tests, assessing the capacity of the seeker in reaching the truth.

“So look at the effects of God’s mercy.”

This verse invites the seeker to contemplate divine mercy so as to attain the understanding of secrets through observation. Mystical trials act as a mirror reflecting the seeker’s existential reality. The path of knowledge is entirely a trial, encompassing insights from the secrets of clay and flowers to the celestial, measuring the seeker’s ability to preserve and transmit these mysteries.

Spiritual Growth and Response to Stimuli

Spiritual growth results from correct perception and observation of divine signs. If the servant perceives and feels internally regarding divine commands, the outcome is spiritual flourishing. This metaphor indicates that a prepared heart, like fertile soil, achieves spiritual growth when receiving divine stimuli. Variations in human reactions, like sourness or sweetness, reveal different levels of heart readiness.

This diversity, akin to various colours in the canvas of creation, exposes human spiritual hierarchies. A seeker whose heart responds to divine secrets and commands achieves spiritual growth, whereas an unprepared heart remains deprived of this grace.

Guardianship and the Auliya Allah

Custodians of Divine Secrets: The Auliya Allah, as divine treasurers, preserve secrets within their hearts, disclosing them solely to the worthy. As stated in Sharh Kashani: “It is not lawful for them to reveal it to anyone other than those worthy of it.” This custodianship signifies wisdom and responsibility in safeguarding divine knowledge.

The saints, like stars in the firmament of knowledge, reveal secrets judiciously and in necessary measure. This concealment, like a seal upon their lips, arises from wisdom and commitment to preserving the sanctity of divine secrets.

Key point: The Auliya Allah, as divine trustees, reveal secrets only to those deserving, reflecting their wisdom and responsibility in safeguarding and transmitting divine knowledge.

Imam Ali’s Oppression and Disclosure of Secrets

As a manifestation of guardianship and authority, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) revealed divine secrets in necessary measure during conditions of oppression and solitude. When he disclosed even a fraction of these secrets, he faced extreme injustice. This oppression acts as a veil, indicating his exalted station in safeguarding divine trusts under the harshest circumstances.

The distinction between Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and the Prophet (peace be upon him) in revealing secrets relates to the conditions of oppression. While the Prophet did not face comparable oppression, Imam Ali stood against all human opposition, safeguarding the trust of the Messenger (peace be upon him).

Martyrdom: The Most Palatable Poison

The martyrdom of Imam Ali, described as the most palatable poison, symbolizes ultimate endurance for the sake of God. The poison he ingested epitomizes his immense patience and resilience against afflictions. This martyrdom represents the apex of trusteeship and guardianship, positioning Imam Ali as a pivotal reference in the path of mysticism and authority.

Mysticism as a Path of Guardianship and Courage

Mysticism flows like a clear stream toward guardianship. Mystical knowledge entails authority, inner perception, heart, and secrets. Authority is the central axis of mysticism, the criterion for the acceptance or rejection of the seeker. Imam Ali (peace be upon him), as the decisive authority, assesses the seeker’s faith and mystical insight. Without attaining guardianship, faith is incomplete and mysticism cannot reach truth.

Key point: Mysticism is a path of guardianship, realised through the heart and understanding divine secrets. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) serves as the ultimate criterion for this journey.

Courage as a Prerequisite for Mysticism

Courage opens the doors of mystical knowledge. The timid never attain true mystical insight. Fear is an obstacle preventing the seeker from reaching the truth. To perceive secrets and behold the Imam of the Age, the seeker requires a brave and receptive heart. Encountering the Imam, a transformative and purifying experience, necessitates purging fear and preparing the heart like fertile soil.

Ascension (Mi’raj) and Divine Secrets

The Prophet’s ascension represents the pinnacle of receiving divine secrets:

“Then he drew near and hung suspended, at a distance of two bows’ length or closer.”

This verse, like a light, indicates the Prophet’s exalted station in comprehending divine secrets. Mi’raj is a journey to the depths of truth, achievable only with a prepared and courageous heart, highlighting the central role of the heart in accessing secrets.

Politics as Knowledge

In mysticism, politics acts as a mirror reflecting divine knowledge. Politics here denotes insight rather than daily news consumption. Prophets and saints disclose divine knowledge as necessary, with harmony and truth, serving as streams conveying reality to prepared hearts. This perspective elevates politics to a high level, functioning as a medium for transmitting divine knowledge.

Depiction of the Infallibles

Depicting the countenance of the infallible requires precision and sanctity. Proper representation, avoiding significant errors, is permissible. Incorrect depiction obscures truth, so saints reveal only what is necessary, preserving the sanctity of divine secrets.

Conclusion

This text, elucidating divine secrets, celestial trusts, and the position of the Auliya Allah, opens a window to profound understanding of the mystical path. The heart, as the primary axis of the path, is the receptacle for divine secrets and growth. Revelation is not merely an external process but a divine infusion into the Prophet’s heart, transmitted outwardly via Gabriel. The Auliya Allah, as custodians, disclose secrets solely to the worthy and demonstrate guardianship even under oppression, as exemplified by Imam Ali (peace be upon him). Mysticism is a path of trials, requiring courage, readiness of heart, and attainment of guardianship.

Martyrdom as the Principle of Practical Mysticism

This discussion focuses on martyrdom as the gateway to practical mysticism, explaining its stages from verbal declaration to direct visionary experience, and its connection with the divine names al-Awwal, al-Akhir, al-Zahir, and al-Batin, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding Tawhid and the seeker’s position in mystical witnessing.

Key point: Testimony to the oneness of God constitutes the entry point to the mystical path, guiding the seeker towards comprehension of the divine essence across all existential levels.

Stages of Testimony

• Islamic (Verbal) Testimony: The declaration “La ilaha illa Allah”, introducing the seeker into Islam, acting as the seed for mystical insight.
• Faith-Based Testimony: Heartfelt belief in Tawhid, encompassing rational and spiritual understanding, leading towards guardianship.
• Visionary Testimony: Direct witnessing of divine truth, representing the pinnacle of mystical testimony and initiating the stage of Ihsan.

Divine Names and Mystical Testimony

The four divine names — al-Awwal, al-Akhir, al-Zahir, al-Batin — indicate the comprehensiveness of divine reality. Though oppositional in the limited sense, they unite in ultimate truth. Each governs the others in the sense of encompassing and completeness, reflecting all levels of creation, divine command, and hidden realities.

Key point: The four divine names encompass each other yet reveal unity in God, guiding the seeker from apparent multiplicity to inner unity.