the Lectures of Nokounam, May His Secret Be Sanctified (Session 87 Chapter of Reflection Sixth Section)
Within the realm of Islamic mysticism, the chapter of reflection constitutes a pivotal stage in the spiritual journey, guiding the seeker towards the ultimate truth of existence and divine proximity. Lesson eighty-seven from this chapter, as elucidated in the framework of Khwja Abdullh Anrs Manzil al-Sirn, is devoted to the third degree of reflection: namely, the contemplation on the meanings of ones actions and internal states. This lesson, approached with profound mystical insight, presents reflection as a deliberate and precise movement that transitions the seeker from self-centredness to God-centredness, and from futile deeds to those commensurate with reality. Nokounam, may his secret be sanctified, in this discourse, emphasises succinctly yet profoundly the necessity of congruence between action and spiritual state, highlighting the role of the Divine Unity of Actions (Tawd al-Afl) in this transformative process.
Reflection (tafakkur) within Islamic mysticism denotes a conscious and meticulous contemplation upon the realities of existence and deeds, guiding the spiritual wayfarer towards divine knowledge and self-awareness. Nokounam describes reflection as a dynamic and gradual movement which, like a child taking its first steps, advances towards perfection through trial and error. This process, commencing with inquiry and meditation, leads the seeker from the superficial layers of actions to their inner truth and essence. In this lesson, reflection on the meanings of actions and states is introduced as the third degree of reflection which, following the reflection upon divine Unity and Creation, directs the seeker towards self-accountability and examination of the harmony of deeds.
According to Manzil al-Sirn, the chapter of reflection comprises three degrees:
These degrees represent a gradual progression of the seekerfrom the knowledge of God, to the understanding of His creation, and ultimately to self-knowledge and the critical assessment of the soul. Reflection on Divine Unity guides the seeker towards divine oneness; reflection on Creation invites meditation upon the order and wisdom inherent in existence; while reflection on actions and states leads to the investigation of the quality and impact of deeds upon the heart and soul. This progression functions as a ladder, elevating the seeker from outward appearances towards the inner reality.
Nokounam, citing Khwja Abdullh Anrs statement:
وَأَمَّا الْفِكْرَةُ فِي مَعَانِي الْأَعْمَالِ وَالْأَحْوَالِ فَهِيَ تُسَهِّلُ سُلُوكَ الطَّرِيقِ الْحَقِيقَةِ,
underscores that reflection on the meanings of actions and states eases the journey towards the ultimate truth. This form of reflection guides the seeker away from fruitless deeds and incompatible states, directing them towards actions harmonious with their inner conditions. Much like a gardener carefully selecting saplings suitable for the soil and climate, the seeker must thoughtfully choose deeds that align with their spiritual states, thereby leading them to truth.
The meanings of actions refer to the realities and essence underlying deeds beyond their outward appearance. States denote the inner and spiritual consequences of actions manifesting within the heart and soul of the seeker. Nokounam asserts that the seeker ought to contemplate every actbe it prayer, study, or eatingpondering the state it engenders. This contemplation functions as a scientific experiment whereby the seeker examines the influence of each deed upon their inner condition. If an action fails to produce a positive and congruent state, it lacks spiritual value and may lead to stagnation, despair, or adverse outcomes.
The harmony between action and state constitutes the key to success in the mystical path. The seeker must ascertain whether their deeds are appropriate and timely, whether they yield the desired effect, and whether they align with their inner state. This scrutiny is akin to the precise tuning of a musical instrument which, if poorly tuned, yields discordant sounds. Nokounam stresses that actions devoid of congruenceeven if grand and strenuousmay prove fruitless or harmful. For instance, a small yet suitable deed, such as a brief remembrance performed with presence of heart, may exert a profound influence upon the seekers soul, whereas a large but incongruent act, like worship devoid of attentiveness, might result in spiritual stagnation.
Nokounam warns that no action should be undertaken without eliciting a spiritual state. An act that fails to produce a positive and spiritual state is like a seed sown in unsuitable soil, yielding no fruit. Such actions, despite years of exertion, may culminate in stagnation, despair, or even deviation. The seeker must diligently reflect upon the effect of each action on their states and refrain from deeds lacking spiritual vitality.
A fundamental concept in this lesson is the emphasis on the Divine Unity of Actions (Tawd al-Afl). Nokounam states that if the seeker considers themselves the agent of the action, their deed is null; however, if they perceive the action as emanating from God, it is valid. This perspective stems from the Qurnic verse:
وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
(fft: 96, : And Allah created you and what you do). The act is a human capacity, yet the real agency and effect derive from God. The seeker must attribute their actions to God to liberate themselves from self-centredness and claims of entitlement.
The Divine Unity of Actions comprises multiple levels, which Nokounam delineates into three degrees:
These degrees portray the seekers gradual progression from relative dependence to complete self-negation and union with the Divine Essence. The seeker on this path resembles a traveller advancing from the narrow alleys of egocentrism towards the vast arena of Divine Unity.
Nokounam emphasises that the seeker ought to replace claims upon God with gratitude for the bestowed opportunity to act. Such gratitude signifies sincerity and Divine Unity of Actions. For instance, he recounts a person who, through thankfulness, resolved others difficulties and regarded this as a divine favour. This individual resembled a gardener who irrigated every sapling of service with divine gratitude, refraining from any claims before God.
Divine grace signifies the establishment of congruence and harmony between action and its result. Nokounam explains that God aligns the deed and its effect in perfect correspondence. Without divine grace, even virtuous actions may not yield the desired outcomes. This concept resembles the precise gearing of clockwork, which must be properly synchronised to accurately reflect time. The seeker should receive this harmony through trust and contemplation to ensure their deeds lead to spiritual fruits.
Nokounam critiques incongruent supplications such as God, give me, stressing that both prayer and action must accord with the seekers spiritual condition. This stance is supported by the Qurnic verse:
رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً
(Baqarah: 201, translation: Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter), which emphasises the necessity of congruity in supplication and deeds. Requests lacking congruence resemble planting seeds in unsuitable soil, failing to bear fruit.
When actions are commensurate with the spiritual state of the seeker, they serve as a foundation for divine manifestations and the reception of inner impressions within the heart. Nekounam defines manifestations as divine illuminations bestowed by God, while the inner impressions ( واردات ) represent the seekers internal receptions that manifest within the heart. The heart, regarded as the gateway of principles, is the locus for receiving these manifestations which, like a light within darkness, illuminate the path of spiritual journeying. These manifestations stand as signs of divine guidance that become evident to the seeker both in wakefulness and in dreams.
The universe is suffused with the effects and grace of God; however, the seekers mind and heart must be prepared to receive them. Nekounam likens this preparedness to a bowl placed beneath the rain, collecting the water of Nisn. Absent this bowl, divine grace is akin to rainfall falling on the earth without leaving more than a transient moisture. Such readiness is cultivated through precise contemplation and the congruence of actions, thereby rendering the seekers heart fit to receive divine manifestations.
Nekounam critiques blind imitation prevalent within religious and scholarly communities, emphasising that actions devoid of reflection and harmony bear no fruit. Imitating others without contemplation upon actions and states is comparable to following a caravan whose destination remains unknown. Such imitation impedes genuine spiritual progression and culminates in stagnation.
To elucidate this concept, he refers to a satirical anecdote concerning an individual who, after years of fruitless worship, resorted to Soot-Sootak because he could hear its sound yet felt no effect from his devotions. This narrative underscores the paramount importance of correct beginnings and thoughtful practice. The seeker must commence with deliberate reflection upon the nature of creation and actions to avoid deviation. This parable serves as a warning against mechanical, soulless practice.
Nekounam analogises the spiritual journey to a craft necessitating skill and technique. Just as a mechanic skillfully repairs a vehicle, the seeker must precisely and skilfully regulate their actions to achieve maximum effect with minimal effort. This skillfulness resides in meticulous reflection on creation, actions, and spiritual states, rescuing the seeker from futility and inertia.
To illustrate, he references an example wherein even heavy animals, such as elephants, can be trained to play football by adhering to appropriate principles. If an elephant of such formidable stature can perform such feats with due proportion, then humans, by observing proportionality in their deeds, can achieve success in the spiritual path. This metaphor acts as a mirror reflecting the feasibility of success through observance of foundational principles.
Nekounam asserts the validity of the station of Tawakkul (trust in God) as the annihilation of the servants actions in God. Tawakkul is actualised when the seeker perceives their actions as effaced in the Divine and attributes all occurrences to Him. This annihilation does not denote dissolution but signifies the understanding that while action originates in the human, its actuality and efficacy derive solely from God. Like a river dissolving into the sea, the seeker becomes extinguished within the Divine Will and Power.
He critiques the prevalent definition of free will as the conjunction of will and power, asserting instead that free will is the manifestation of will emerging from Divine power. Will is the consequence of Gods omnipotence and is not an independent entity. This perspective acts as a key unlocking the prison of egocentrism and guiding the seeker to comprehend their total dependence on God.
Nekounam critiques unreliable narratives such as the story of Satans six-thousand-year worship and the deception of angels, emphasising that angels are immune to such error. This critique underlines the imperative of scrupulous examination of traditions and the avoidance of unsubstantiated stories in mysticism. Like a geologist who carefully analyses the strata of the earth, the seeker must scrutinise narratives with reflection and precision.
He further rejects the notion of blaming Satan for all difficulties, stressing that the seeker must accept responsibility for their actions and evaluate their proportionality. This view acts as a mirror inviting the seeker to self-accountability and to refrain from attributing blame to external factors.
Nekounam , referring to the strike of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), emphasises that precise and proportionate action surpasses prolonged and fruitless deeds. This strike is like an arrow that hits the target with accuracy and breaks spiritual stagnation. This example underscores the importance of quality over quantity in practice, inviting the seeker to select actions conducted with precision and harmony.
In Islamic mysticism, the heart is introduced as the gateway of principles and the locus of divine manifestations. Nekounam states that when the seeker attains the heart, they achieve firmness in the spiritual path. The heart is likened to the Kaaba wherein the manifestations of Gods majesty and beauty appear and guide the seeker towards the ultimate truth. This station marks a pivotal turning point, guiding the seeker from the origins of the path towards exalted spiritual objectives.
Nekounam , citing the phrase كُونُوا دُعَاةَ النَّاسِ بِغَيْرِ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ (Invite people by means other than your tongues), stresses the superiority of action over mere rhetoric. Genuine spiritual progression is realised through deliberate and harmonious action, not by unsupported oration. This viewpoint serves as a warning to seekers against empty verbosity and encourages them to adopt skilful and effective practice.
The eighty-seventh lesson from the chapter on contemplation, with its focus on reflection upon the meanings of actions and spiritual states, elucidates the role of such reflection in facilitating the journey towards truth. This lesson invites the seeker to precise meditation on the quality and impact of deeds and states, emphasising the necessity of proportionality among them. The doctrine of Divine Unity in action (Tawhid al-Afal), as the central theme of this lesson, guides the seeker from egocentrism to God-centredness, leading to the realisation that true agency belongs exclusively to God. The Quranic verses, such as وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ (And Allah created you and what you do) and رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً (Our Lord, give us in this world good and in the Hereafter good), affirm Gods role in the efficacy of actions and the importance of prayer with due proportion. The critique of blind imitation, rhetoric without deed, and unreliable narratives evidences the necessity of vigilance and awareness in spiritual progress. Mystical metaphors such as the bowl beneath the rain, Imam Alis strike, and the training of an elephant vividly illustrate the concepts of this lesson. Overall, this discourse acts as a beacon illuminating the seekers path, demonstrating with profound and scholarly language the depth of the station of contemplation.
