Derived from the Lecture Series of Nokounam, may his sanctity remain preserved
(Session Eighteen Introduction Section 18)
Within the expansive domain of Islamic mysticism, the eighteenth lecture of the Manzil al-S'irn series opens a profound gateway towards a deep understanding of the spiritual path (sulk), its distinction from natural progression, and the fundamental significance of order and continuity in the aspirant's journey to the veritable gnosis of the Divine. This lecture, by emphasising voluntary spiritual striving, the indispensable role of the spiritual guide (murshid), and the shared nature of the spiritual stations (maqmt), directs the seeker towards a systematic and conscious cognition. At its core, it delineates the path whereby the traveller, through steadfast will, continuous awareness, and wise mentorship, transcends the mere outward appearances of the natural realm to attain the inner essence of Truth.
In its broadest sense, sulk denotes a continuous process inherent in the lives of all individualsranging from acts of worship and fasting to daily labour and exertion. This natural progression resembles a river that flows through ordinary existence without any particular conscious awareness or purposeful will. As the original text states:
Within the container of perfections, the manifestations of descent and ascent follow a general course which we do not term sulk.
This general course, although encompassing acts of worship and virtuous deeds, lacks the conscious intent and volitional awareness that distinctly characterise mystical progression.
Contrary to natural progression, mystical sulk is a voluntary path initiated by the seekers conscious choice. The original text emphasises:
The seeker we refer to in mysticism is a voluntary one.
This volition acts as a beacon illuminating the dark path of sulk. The illustrative example provided contrasts ordinary eating with eating performed with the intention of nearness to God or with complete sincerity:
It is like one who eats food ordinarily, another who intends to eat, another who eats with the intention of nearness (qurb), and yet another who attains sincerity (ikhl) in eating.
This parable portrays varying levels of awareness and intention within mystical practice, guiding the seeker from the external form of actions towards their inner essence.
Voluntary sulk, therefore, is a journey undertaken with a precise map and firm resolve. It necessitates conscious selection that propels the aspirant beyond mundane existence towards divine knowledge and intimacy.
Order, the observance of sequential progression through spiritual stations, is an indispensable prerequisite without which the seekers path deviates. The original treatise asserts:
In mystical sulk, order and continuity are primary and essential conditions.
Order is akin to a ladder, each rung of which must be traversed with care for the aspirant to ascend to the subsequent stage. A deficiency in order resembles a structure founded on unstable ground destined to collapse.
This principle applies not only to mystical advancement but also to external acts of worship such as prayer, which becomes invalid without correct sequence. Similarly, mystical sulk cannot culminate without maintaining the hierarchy of stations.
Continuity, the uninterrupted flow in sulk, complements order. The text underscores:
Continuity is likewise imperative; any disruption causes difficulty for the seeker.
Continuity resembles a clear, unbroken stream that must flow ceaselessly along the path. Should the aspirant falter, they become like a traveller halted midway, unable to reach their destination.
The original metaphor likens the seekers movement to that of clouds:
Like the continuous dripping of the cloud.
This imagery vividly illustrates the seamless and steady advance of the seeker towards the ultimate goal.
To maintain continuity, the seeker must proceed with both speed and earnestness. The original text admonishes:
The seeker must strike forth vigorously, for if they proceed sluggishly, they remain stuck on the path.
This speed is not haste but rather a persistent and purposeful flow that prevents stagnation and lethargy. Furthermore, it states:
Hence, the seeker must be swift and must not pause from breath to breath until attainment.
This exhortation resounds like a clarion call, urging relentless and uninterrupted progress.
The Noble Quranic verse وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِن رَبِّكُمْ (And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord) similarly emphasises this urgency in seeking divine pardon and proximity.
The spiritual stations of sulk are musha, meaning each station is simultaneously present within others and manifests through diverse characteristics. The original states:
The stations and the path, as we have traced, are all of a shared nature.
This sharedness forms a woven fabric interlinking the stations and unifying sulk into an integrated continuum.
This principle elucidates numerous epistemological, ethical, and mystical challenges. The text stresses:
If the discussion of sharedness unfolds within our domains, many intellectual, ethical, philosophical, mystical, religious, and issues of predestination and free will will be resolved.
This perspective portrays sulk as a dynamic system wherein each station interacts with others.
Two primary viewpoints exist concerning the completion of stations. The first insists on fully completing one station before progressing to the next. The second, endorsed by Junayd, allows the completion of subsidiary matters (furt) of a prior station while advancing, provided one maintains oversight. The original text explains:
One view is that a station must be finished before moving to another; the other is that if some subsidiaries remain, one can proceed to the next station and, with oversight of the second, also finalize the first.
The latter serves as a bridge freeing the seeker from stagnation and enabling continuous advancement. Junayd states:
A servant may be transferred from one state to a higher one, yet remnants of the previous station remain with them.
This flexibility allows correction of prior deficiencies from a vantage point of elevated awareness.
Upon ascending, the seeker may complete outstanding subsidiaries of prior stations. The text states:
Having completed a station, its subsidiaries may be perfected in the second station.
This process resembles a gardener pruning branches in a new season to foster growth. Junayd similarly affirms:
He oversees from the second state and rectifies them.
Such oversight empowers the seeker to restore and perfect lower stations from above.
This understanding presents sulk as a dynamic continuum, wherein stations interconnect and permit renewal and completion.
Repentance, a foundational station, is omnipresent throughout all levels of sulk but appears with distinct qualities at each stage. The original text notes:
Wherever you go, it is present everywhere but with transformations and different characteristics.
Repentance thus shines as a light displaying different hues at each station, guiding the seeker. The commentator observes:
For every station there are subsidiaries and ranks in the other stations.
This portrays repentance as a shared element that permeates from the beginnings to the highest stages.
The example given demonstrates the manifold dimensions of repentance:
Sometimes seeking forgiveness pertains to prior or subsequent sins; sometimes to completeness; sometimes to the most complete; and at times to otherness.
These gradations render sulk a multi-layered journey where repentance assumes a specialised role at each phase.
Even the infallible (masmn) perpetually engage in seeking forgiveness. The original text declares:
No moment nor any infallible is free from seeking forgiveness; we find no infallible who does not bow in prostration.
This practice arises not from sin but from the desire for perfection and removal of any potential deficiency. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also stated:
I seek forgiveness.
This statement shines like a guiding star illuminating the path of humility and continual connection with the Divine.
The Quranic verse فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ ۚ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا (So glorify the praise of your Lord and seek His forgiveness. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of Repentance) underscores this necessity even for the Prophet.
The claim of having attained perfect gnosis is a hallmark of ignorance. The text asserts:
This dervish and qalandar who says, Worship your Lord, and certainty will come to you, we have not truly arrived; this person is ignorant.
The verse وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ (And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty) stresses the continuity of worship until certainty is reached. Such claims scatter the ashes of true knowledge, for sulk is shared and final attainment in this world is impossible.
This critique calls the seeker to humility and perseverance in the journey, warning against arrogance and deviation.
Arrogance, the greatest spiritual poison, arises from premature claims and disrespect towards spiritual prerequisites. The text advises:
One must not despise the state of others, nor the prerequisites of stations, for this is the source of arrogance.
The seeker must remain humble, recognising that each stage is a gift from the Divine and that the spiritual guides role is paramount in guiding through the path.
The original texts warning:
If the traveller neglects order, continuity, and humility, they will be lost.
This admonition is echoed in the Quranic reminder:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ (O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow).
The introduction to the Manzil al-S'irn series provides the aspirant with a compass for the spiritual journey. It highlights voluntary volition, order, and continuity as pillars of the mystical path. It illuminates the shared, dynamic nature of the spiritual stations and underscores the continual necessity for repentance and seeking forgiveness practices that even the infallibles embody.
It admonishes against arrogance, urging humility and submission to the spiritual guides wisdom. It calls for a steadfast heart, eager feet, and eyes wide open to the reality of the paths demands. The aspirant is reminded that mystical sulk is not a mere progression of acts but a conscious, dynamic, and continuous journey towards the Truth a journey that is lifelong and requires both divine grace and human effort.
May this commentary serve as a beacon to those who seek the path and inspire perseverance, awareness, and sincerity in their sulk.
