Observation of Spiritual Lovers

They have themselves observed this characteristic. This attribute distinguishes them from the beloved, who require a gradual process of spiritual progression.

Abraham (peace be upon him) as a Lover

“Indeed, I will make you a leader for the people.” (Qur’an, Al-Baqarah: 124)

Abraham (peace be upon him), as an exemplar of spiritual lovers, attains the rank of Imamate after enduring severe and challenging trials. This path, which involves passing through stages of testing and spiritual conduct, signifies the difference between lovers and the beloved. Abraham, akin to a seeker progressing from the darkness of the self toward the light of guidance, reaches the station of Imamate only after subduing his own ego. This distinction reflects the gradual spiritual journey of lovers compared to the immediate perception experienced by the beloved.

Key point: Abraham (peace be upon him), as a lover, attains high spiritual ranks after severe trials, whereas the beloved are connected to these ranks from the outset.

The Infallibles and Innate Perception

The infallible saints (peace be upon them), as the highest examples of the beloved, possess innate perception from birth. Considering narrations regarding the birth of the infallibles, particularly Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance), it is evident that these luminaries, from childhood, had perceived the hereafter even before entering this world, existing in the state of servitude and perfection. This perception, manifested in the phrase “Indeed, I am the servant of Allah”, indicates their constant connection to the divine reality.

Self-Knowledge as a Prerequisite for Knowledge and Spiritual Conduct

“Whoever knows himself, has known his Lord.”

Self-knowledge is the golden key to unlocking the doors of divine knowledge and a prerequisite for mystical conduct. Without recognizing oneself, a seeker cannot comprehend their position within the cosmos of divine unity. This recognition transcends outward acts, such as ritual prayer, and returns to understanding the existential seed and intrinsic capacities of the self. This study refers to self-knowledge as “seed-knowledge,” that is, contemplation on the existential roots connecting a human being to their true reality and ultimately to the divine reality.

Key point: Self-knowledge, in the sense of understanding innate capacities and the existential seed, is the key to divine knowledge and determining the seeker’s path in spiritual conduct.

Seed-Knowledge and Solitude with the Self

Self-knowledge requires solitude and contemplation on the existential roots. This solitude is a journey to the depths of the ocean of existence, freeing the seeker from external attachments and acquainting them with their essential reality. The seeker must detach from external inquiries, such as questioning relatives, and discover their latent potentials in solitude. This process liberates them from misguidance resulting from blind imitation.

Differences Between Lovers and the Beloved in Childhood

Attention must be paid to the difference between lovers and the beloved in childhood. The beloved, like stars shining in the sky of existence, possess ultimate perception from early childhood, with their future spiritual destinies already revealed. Lovers, lacking such innate memory, must strive and struggle to traverse the spiritual path. This distinction further emphasizes the role of innate capacities in determining the course of spiritual conduct.

Innate Capacity, Genius, and Its Influence on Spiritual Conduct

Innate capacity is a hidden gem within every individual, determining the quality and pace of their spiritual progress. Like a poet who composes beautiful verses even in the furnace of hardship, this ability lies in the existential seed. It transcends superficial learning and returns to the essence of the individual. Lovers and beloved each follow different spiritual trajectories according to their inherent abilities.

Key point: Innate capacity, as a divine jewel within each individual, determines the course and speed of spiritual conduct, leading to immediate perception in the beloved.

Lovers, Tears, and Sighs

Lovers, traversing a gradual spiritual path, may fall into the habit of tears and sighs to seek attention. The beloved, immersed from the outset in the ocean of divine grace, require no such displays. It is emphasized that divine grace is so vast that it cannot be contained, and the beloved, with humility, refrain from any self-display, which reflects the depth of their perception.

Piety and Humility

The beloved, due to their profound perception, do not dare to display their perfections from childhood to death. Great scholars like Allama Hilli and Ibn Sina never sought to show off, for they knew that their perfections, in comparison to divine greatness, are like a drop in the ocean. The humility of a mystic signifies their constant connection to the divine reality.

Social Obstacles to Spiritual Progress and Lack of Recognition of Talents

The absence of appropriate mechanisms to identify talents within societies hinders the flourishing of human and spiritual potentials. Society, like a garden whose gardener is unaware of the types of flowers, fails to recognize and nurture gifted individuals, resulting in wasted capacities. This critique underscores the necessity of identifying individual and societal talents for spiritual and material advancement.

Key point: The lack of recognition of talents within society obstructs the flourishing of human and spiritual forces, necessitating the identification and cultivation of religious and mystical geniuses.

Focus on Causes Rather Than Effects

Using the metaphor of a farmer, the importance of focusing on causes rather than effects is emphasised. Just as diligence in military matters leads to progress, concentrating on causes in agriculture or identifying spiritual geniuses can produce great transformation. This perspective acts as a light dispelling superficial darkness, highlighting the necessity of tracing issues to their roots for problem-solving.

Identifying Spiritual Geniuses

Instead of merely addressing illiteracy, it is proposed that spiritual and religious geniuses be identified. Such identification, akin to discovering rare gems in the soil, can guide society towards perfection. From every village to city, and from every province to region, spiritual potentials must be catalogued and nurtured to prevent the loss of human capabilities.

The Relationship Between Tribulation and Spiritual Authority

The hadith “Tribulation is for loyalty” illustrates the relationship between tribulation and spiritual authority. The saints, sent for guiding humanity, sometimes suffer affliction at the hands of those very people. This tribulation, like a furnace refining gold, serves to purify and elevate the saints. Yet, societal ignorance may turn this suffering into martyrdom.

Key point: Tribulation in the path of spiritual authority purifies the saints, yet societal unawareness can transform it into suffering and martyrdom.

Spiritual Conduct and Attention

Spiritual conduct entails profound attention to reality. Unlike ordinary people, the seeker must carefully observe their innate capacities and spiritual path. Such attention, like a lamp in the dark night, guides the seeker from misguidance to their true destination.

Diversity of Ranks and Paths in Spiritual Conduct

“The paths to God are as numerous as the breaths of creation.”

This expression reflects the diversity of spiritual paths corresponding to the number of human souls. Each seeker, like a traveller on a unique route, follows a specific path to the divine. This diversity renders a single destination or linear hierarchy impossible, as each individual progresses toward truth according to their innate capacities.

The Qur’an states: “Each person knows his own path” and “Allah raises those among you who believe and those who are granted knowledge in ranks”. The essential matter is that each person recognizes their true and authentic identity.

Key point: The diversity of spiritual paths, equal to the number of human souls, guides each individual along a unique path aligned with their innate capacity.

Differences Among Seekers as Divine Mercy

The differences among seekers, according to commentators, are a divine mercy arising from the breadth of innate disposition and the variety of creation. These differences, like the various colors in the tapestry of creation, are not flaws but indications of divine perfection and mercy guiding each individual toward their particular spiritual destination.

Influence of Capacity on Speed and Obstacles in Spiritual Progress

Differences in innate capacities determine the pace and quality of spiritual progress. Some seekers reach their destination without delay, attaining numerous ranks at once, while others require multiple stages. This difference originates from the strength of innate capacity and divine attraction, which allows some to bypass intermediate ranks.

Key point: The strength of some seekers’ capacities prevents them from halting at intermediate ranks, swiftly guiding them to their destination.

The Danger of Being Trapped in Ranks

Being trapped in spiritual ranks is a snare along the path, impeding the seeker’s progress. The saints, who avoid stagnation, are travellers who do not display themselves and, in their elevated journey, even regard lower stations. This avoidance protects them from wandering and being ensnared in ranks.

Variation in the Influence of Perfections

Perfections, such as knowledge and piety, affect individuals differently. Some, due to strong innate capacity, remain unaffected by spiritual intoxication, whereas others become immersed and lose awareness. Just as some become drunk with little wine and others remain sober even with much, in spiritual conduct, some attain without display.

Impact of Knowledge and Piety on the Self

Knowledge and piety are valuable only if they lighten and elevate the self. If these perfections burden the seeker and lead to arrogance, they become a weight. But if they elevate, they act as wings enabling ascent toward the truth. The seeker must avoid heaviness.