Derived from the forty-fourth lecture (Introduction, Section 44) delivered by Nekounam, may his sanctity be revered.
The forty-fourth lecture of the revered Manzil al-Sirn, authored by Khwja Abdullah Ansr, is dedicated to an in-depth and meticulous elucidation of the spiritual journey (sulk) within the domain of truths and tawd (Divine Unity). This chapter, standing as a lofty summit along the mystical path, guides the seeker towards the realms of perfect gnosis, dissociation from the self, and annihilation in the Divine Essence. The cardinal concepts expounded in this lesson including dissociation, union, annihilation, and tawd delineate the process by which the seeker emancipates from egohood and attains the singular reality of the Ultimate Truth.
The forty-fourth lecture commences with the statement:
فَإِذَا وَقَعَ فِي مَقَامِ الْمَعْرِفَةِ التَّامَّةِ بَلَغَ النِّهَايَةَ بِالْفَنَاءِ بِالذَّاتِ الْأَحَدِيَّةِ.
Perfect gnosis is the immediate and comprehensive cognition of the Truth that elevates the seeker to the summit of the spiritual journey, namely annihilation in the Divine Unity. This station resembles an infinite ocean in which the seeker dissolves their individual ego and is absorbed into the singular reality of the Ultimate Truth. Annihilation denotes the effacement of selfhood and egoism to such an extent that the seeker no longer perceives themselves as an independent entity but subsists solely in the Divine Essence.
Key Insight: Perfect gnosis is the immediate knowledge of the Truth that directs the seeker towards annihilation in the Divine Essence.
The Divine Essence (Dht al-Aadyah) represents a station of Divine unity devoid of any multiplicity including multiplicity of attributes. This station transcends the realm of unity and multiplicity alike, accessible solely through complete dissociation from the self. Analogous to a bird that must free itself from earthly fetters to soar toward the boundless heavens, the seeker, by liberation from the limitations of the nafs (ego-self), attains connection with the Divine Essence.
Key Insight: The Divine Essence signifies unity without multiplicity and is attainable only through dissociation from the self.
Within the chapter on truths, the seekers heart is presented as the vessel in which spiritual and mystical attainments manifest. This vessel is akin to fertile soil wherein the seeds of spiritual progression are sown, yielding the fruits of gnosis and union. At this stage, the seeker observes the effects and spiritual characteristics within themselves, thus achieving the station of communion with the Truth.
Key Insight: The seekers heart is the vessel of truths where spiritual attainments and Divine manifestations become manifest.
The manifestations experienced by the seeker encompass states and stations such as inspection (muyana), unveiling (mukshafa), witnessing (mushhada), life (ayt), contraction (qab), and expansion (bas). These states resemble streams flowing from the spring of Divine knowledge, nourishing the seekers heart. However, these manifestations attain their true reality only when the seeker relinquishes egoism and selfhood.
Key Insight: Spiritual manifestations are revealed within the seekers heart but necessitate liberation from egoism.
The primary hindrance confronting the seeker regarding the truths is duality (ithniyyah). This duality manifests in the dichotomy between the self and the Truth, wherein the seeker perceives themselves as an autonomous agent in opposition to the Truth. Like a shadow separating the light from its reflection in a mirror, duality obstructs the complete realisation of tawd. The seeker must eradicate this obstacle through dissociation from the self.
Key Insight: Duality, the dichotomy between self and Truth, is removed through dissociation from the self.
Mystical states such as inspection, unveiling, witnessing, life, contraction, and expansion, when accompanied by the self, signify the presence of duality. This duality acts as a burden preventing the seekers ascent towards tawd. To attain true unity, the seeker must abstain from attributing these states to the ego.
Key Insight: Attributing mystical states to the self indicates duality and impedes tawd.
True tawd is realised in the absence of any duality between the seeker and the Truth. This unity resembles a polished mirror reflecting solely the image of the Truth. The phrase adl bihi yakhtarna al al-ikhw waid alludes to this unity, wherein the seeker, having dispelled alienation, becomes one with the Truth.
Key Insight: True tawd is actualised in the absence of duality by the removal of alienation.
Throughout the chapter on truths, the seeker remains entangled in egoism and partnership (sharkah), which manifest as duality within mystical stations. This partnership is analogous to a veil of dust settled upon the mirror of the heart, obstructing the reflection of Divine Light. The seeker must eradicate this partnership through dissociation from the self.
Key Insight: Partnership and egoism obstruct the perfection of tawd and are removed through dissociation from the self.
Dissociation from the nafs is a pivotal stage in the mystical path whereby the seeker separates themselves from the determinations of the ego and self-centeredness. This dissociation is analogous to removing an old garment, freeing the seeker from the bonds of the nafs and preparing them for union with the Truth. The phrase انفصل عن نفسه alludes to this existential separation.
Key Insight: Dissociation signifies liberation from egoic determinations guiding the seeker towards tawd.
Submission denotes the station of obedience and surrender to the Divine Decree, preparing the seeker for dissociation. This station is like a stable ground upon which the seeker stands, freed from doubt and fear. Submission elevates the seeker to the pinnacle of perfection, though such elevation necessitates liberation from the self.
Key Insight: Submission, as steadfast surrender, prepares the seeker for dissociation and tawd.
The phrase لو دَنَوْتُ أَنْمَلَةً لَاحْتَرَقْتُ, cited from the Archangel Gabriel during the Prophets Ascension (Mirj), signifies the seekers ontological limitation vis--vis the grandeur of the Truth. Like a moth approaching a flame, the seeker cannot ascend to the supreme stations of the Divine Essence with their ego intact, for such ascension entails annihilation and dissolution of the self.
Key Insight: The seeker cannot ascend to the Divine Essence while retaining egohood, as this ascent demands annihilation.
Annihilation is the complete liberation from the self and ontological combustion before the magnificence of the Truth. Like meat cooked by fire and thereby freed from rawness, the seeker in this state is dissolved from egoism and selfhood, leaving only the Truth subsisting within.
Key Insight: Annihilation is the ontological combustion of the seeker that frees them from egohood and unites them with the Truth.
Romantic and aristocratic mysticism, as exemplified in Avicennas Ishrt, pursues the attainment of ranks and titles, driving the seeker towards ambition and partnership. This form of mysticism resembles a building adorned with superficial embellishments yet distant from the essence of tawd.
Key Insight: Romantic mysticisms focus on ranks distances the seeker from the truth of tawd.
Contrary to ambitious aspirants seeking ranks, the true mystic seeks their own destruction and annihilation. Like a structure that must be demolished before reconstruction, the mystic attains tawd through the dissolution of selfhood.
Key Insight: The true mystic seeks self-destruction and annihilation rather than acquisition of ranks and titles.
The root of partnership with the Divine is greed (ama). The seeker clings to spiritual states and manifestations as possessions, obstructing tawd. Dissociation and annihilation cleanse the seeker from this greed.
Key Insight: Greed in spiritual attainments fosters partnership, obstructing tawd and requiring annihilation to overcome.
The true intellect (al-aql al-diq) is the eye of the heart, unveiling the inner realities and guiding the seeker towards annihilation and unity. This intellect must be purified from duality and egoism to illuminate the path.
Key Insight: The purified intellect unveils inner realities and guides the seeker to annihilation.
Divine knowledge is the luminous light in the seekers heart, dispelling darkness and illuminating the station of tawd. This knowledge is attained through dissociation and annihilation.
Key Insight: Divine knowledge illuminates tawd, attainable through dissociation and annihilation.
This chapter in Manzil al-Sirn culminates the seekers journey through the station of truths and tawd. It profoundly underscores the necessity of annihilation, dissociation, and submission as indispensable stages for attaining unity with the Ultimate Reality. The journey demands the seeker to relinquish selfhood and egoism completely and to embrace the Divine Essence in its purest form.
Final Thought: The path to tawd is paved by annihilation of the self and unreserved submission to the Divine Essence.
The seeker of perfection may even covet the Divine Truth as the ultimate perfection, akin to one striving to seize an inexhaustible treasure. Such covetousness manifests as an indication of partnership (shirk) and estrangement from the principle of Divine Unity (tawhid). The true mystic, through a process of self-detachment, emancipates themselves from every form of craving, including the yearning for the Divine Truth itself.
The mystical journey is succinctly delineated into three stations: liberation from coveting others, from coveting the self, and from coveting the Divine Truth. Like a traveller who must lay down heavy burdens to reach their destination, the seeker attains tawhid by relinquishing these covetous desires.
Human relationships founded upon covetousness such as greeting a superior or showing respect to a father solely due to wealth denote partnership and alienation from tawhid. Such relationships resemble a plant whose roots are embedded in the soil of covetousness; severing these roots brings the seeker nearer to the reality of Divine Unity.
The realm of tawhid constitutes the gate of connection to the Divine Truth. Following self-detachment, the seeker attains perfect cognition. This connection serves as a bridge transferring the seeker from the valley of ego to the shore of Divine reality. At this stage, cognition entails an immediate, unmediated recognition of the Divine Truth achievable only within the shadow of tawhid.
At this station, the seeker unites their own selfhood with that of the Divine Truth. This unity resembles a drop merging into the ocean of Divine Essence. The Divine Truth manifests in the seekers heart, elevating them to the rank of unity.
The valleys of tawhid are akin to perilous deserts confronting the seeker with extreme hardships. These valleys cast the seeker from heights to depths and back again, purging the ego. Like a furnace that refines metal from impurities, the valleys of tawhid purify the seeker.
The saints of God oscillate between connection and detachment in the realm of tawhid until they reach the station of annihilation (fan') and subsistence (baq'). This process resembles sealing a vessel, eliminating any leakage of ego and rendering the seeker a true monotheist.
The mystical journey requires balance among mystical states, much like an athlete needs rhythm, strength, and equilibrium. The seeker must harmonise connection, detachment, cognition, and annihilation to reach the perfection of tawhid.
Annihilation (fan') signifies the dissolution of the self and the extinction of egotistical self-awareness. Like a star vanishing in the sunlight, the seeker, in this state, perceives only the Divine Truth and forgets the self entirely.
The station of manifestation is characterised by the seeker behaving outwardly like ordinary people, thus concealing their inner reality. Analogous to the Prophet (peace be upon him) who يَأْكُلُ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ (eats and walks in the marketplaces), the seeker acts through this adoption for the guidance and mercy of creation.
Manifestation is not for self-conceit but for guiding and showing mercy to creation. Like the Commander of the Faithful (Al, peace be upon him), who humbly led creation to the Truth while eschewing vanity, the seeker employs manifestation to prevent others covetousness towards themselves.
Abstraction signifies liberation from all forms of particularity and multiplicity, guiding the seeker towards unity. Like a bird released from its cage, the seeker soars towards the Divine Truth by abstracting from egotistical determinations.
Uniqueness is the final stage of tawhid in which the seeker attains complete unity with the Divine Truth. The phrase ثُمَّ تَفَرُّدِي الْإِشَارَةِ إِلَى الْحَقِّ مِنَ الْحَقِّ بِالْحَقِّ فِي عَيْنِ الْجَمْعِ alludes to this unity, wherein the seeker is immersed in the essence of the collective, leaving no multiplicity remaining.
The perfection of tawhid lies in negating every attribute and determination from the Divine. As Imam Al (peace be upon him) states: نُورٌ يَشْرَقُ مِنْ صَبَاحِ الْأَزَلِ فَيَلُوحُ عَلَى هَيَاكِلِ التَّوْحِيدِ. This negation resembles cleansing a mirror from all dust, thus bringing the seeker closer to the essence of the Divine.
The seeker, upon attainment of the essence, reaches the manifestations of Divine Beauty and Majesty, arriving at the rank of Wali Allah (Friend of God). Like a speaking Quran manifesting Divine reality within itself, the seeker at this station becomes Ayn Allah, Udhun Allah, and Jam Allah.
The Holy Quran states: شَهِدَ اللَّهُ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ (l Imrn: 18; translation: God bears witness that there is no deity but Him). This verse indicates Divine testimony to tawhid, which the seeker attains at the station of tawhid.
The unity of the Divine Truth represents the ultimate aim of the mystical path, freeing the seeker from every form of craving and determination and bringing them to the naked essence of the Divine Truth. Like a traveller who, after a perilous journey, reaches their destination, the seeker at this station perceives nothing but the Divine Truth.
The forty-fourth lesson of Manzil al-Sirn introduces the realm of Divine Truth and tawhid as a lofty summit in the mystical journey, guiding the seeker to the valleys of perfect cognition, detachment, and annihilation within the essence of Oneness. This chapter elucidates key concepts such as duality, partnership, submission, and uniqueness, outlining the seekers liberation from egoism and attainment of the singular Divine Truth. Detachment from the self, as a pivotal juncture, frees the seeker from egotistical determinations and elevates them to the station of tawhid and subsistence through God. The critique of covetousness and ambitionboth toward creation and the Divineis a salient feature of this lesson, inviting the seeker to self-liberation. The stations of manifestation and uniqueness, as final stages, bring the seeker to complete unity with the Divine and to outward expression within creations customs for the guidance of others.
