of Nokounam, may his sanctity be preserved (Session Eighty-Nine The Chapter of Reflection Section Eight)
Within the path of mystical progression, reflection functions as a pivotal key that unlocks the gates of knowledge pertaining to the created entities and divine manifestations. The eighty-ninth lesson of the esteemed book Manzil al-Sirn, authored by Khwajah Abdullah Ansari and meticulously elucidated by Nokounam (may his sanctity be preserved), is devoted to the chapter entitled Reflection. This lesson, centred upon the perception of the subtle intricacies of divine craftsmanship, introduces three fundamental prerequisites for the seeker: a refined disposition at the origins of divine bounties, responsiveness to the calls of spiritual intimations, and liberation from the fetters of carnal desires. These three conditions stand as robust pillars, guiding the mystic towards profound comprehension of creation. Reflection, in this context, transcends mere superficial or quotidian rumination, constituting rather a spiritual voyage attained through self-purification, observance of religious ordinances, and the acquisition of knowledge.
Reflection within the mystical journey branches forth akin to the boughs of a mighty tree into three distinct degrees: reflection upon the Divine Essence (Tawd), reflection upon divine craftsmanship (creations and divine manifestations), and reflection upon the conditions of the servants (human beings). This tripartite division manifests the comprehensiveness of mystical reflection, which directs the seeker towards all-encompassing knowledge. The present discourse, concentrating on the second degree, namely divine craftsmanship, elucidates the conditions requisite for perceiving the subtle details and nuances of creation. This degree serves as a bridge guiding the seeker from recognition of creatures to the cognition of the Creator.
| Key Point: Mystical reflection constitutes a threefold journey whereby the seeker is led from knowledge of the Divine Essence to recognition of the creatures, and thence to understanding the states of the servants. Emphasis on divine craftsmanship serves as a gateway to divine knowledge. |
Comprehension of the creatures represents a foundational pillar of the mystical path. This understanding entails not merely an external acquaintance with beings, but a profound grasp of the subtle intricacies and embedded wisdoms within creation. To attain such knowledge, the seeker must accomplish three essential tasks: the acquisition of intellectual and scientific preliminaries, strict observance of divine commands and prohibitions, and emancipation from the bondage of carnal desires. These three efforts, like luminous flames, illuminate the path of knowledge and escort the seeker from the darkness of ignorance and animalistic impulses toward the light of understanding.
The foremost condition for perceiving the subtleties of divine craftsmanship is a refined disposition at the origins of divine bounties. This condition denotes the preparation of intellectual, scientific, and spiritual prerequisites necessary for the cognition of creation. The seeker must acquire foundational sciences, logic, and requisite mental tools, thereby readying both mind and heart for contemplation upon the delicate details of creation. Absent these preliminaries, mystical reflection degenerates into superficiality or pseudo-mysticism. This condition resembles fertile soil wherein the seeds of knowledge are sown.
The esteemed commentator emphasises that the seeker must meditate upon the causes and origins of existence: what factors have brought him to this degree of being? Such meditation leads to recognition of divine wisdom within creation. As the Holy Quran states:
هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى الْإِنْسَانِ حِينٌ مِنَ الدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُنْ شَيْئًا مَذْكُورًا
(Surah Al-Insn, verse 1; : "Has there come upon man a period of time when he was not even a mention?") This verse indicates the absence of mention of man in the apparent realm, not absolute nonexistence. Mans creation proceeds from divine knowledge rather than from nonexistence, inviting the seeker to contemplate the origins of creation.
| Key Point: A refined disposition at the origins of divine bounties entails the acquisition of scientific and intellectual preliminaries which prepare the mind and heart of the seeker to apprehend the subtleties of creation. This condition provides the fertile ground for the blossoming of knowledge. |
The second condition, responsiveness to the calls of spiritual intimations, signifies obedience to divine commands and abstention from prohibitions. The seeker must, through sincere adherence to the sacred law, purify his heart from the darkness of transgression. Observance of the religious law acts as clear water, cleansing the heart and rendering it receptive to the illumination of knowledge. Without such obedience, reflection diminishes into mischief or melancholy. Mischief denotes a self-serving and carnal thought process, while melancholy is a past-oriented contemplation that prevents the seeker from future-oriented insight. Mystical reflection, however, is future-focused and divinely oriented, flourishing within the framework of the sacred law.
The commentator underscores that mysticism without adherence to the law culminates in misguidance and eccentricity. The seeker must sincerely obey divine ordinances so that his heart becomes prepared to receive illumination. This illumination, akin to a blazing torch, distinguishes truth from falsehood. As the Holy Quran affirms:
إِنْ تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ فُرْقَانًا
(Surah Al-Anfl, verse 29; : "If you fear God, He will grant you a criterion (Furqn).")
| Key Point: Responsiveness to the calls of spiritual intimations, by obeying divine commands and abstaining from prohibitions, cleanses the seekers heart of sin and guides him towards the illumination of discernment (Furqn). |
The third condition entails liberation from the fetters of carnal desires, encompassing even abstention from lawful sensual enjoyments. Carnal desires, like chains, divert the mind and heart of the seeker toward the corporeal and somatic. Excessive eating and immersion in pleasures engage the faculties in digestion and excretion, thereby impeding the function of intellect and heart. The seeker must practise moderation to purify the self; neither indulging in gluttony nor embracing asceticism to an extreme that leads to illness. Such moderation serves as a precise balance, harmonising body and soul.
The commentator emphasises that carnal desires, even lawful ones, impede reflective thought. By liberating himself from these bonds, the seeker prepares his heart to receive divine illumination. This light grants the power to discern truth from falsehood and to perceive the subtleties of divine craftsmanship. This condition acts as a key unlocking the locks of the self and guiding the seeker towards divine knowledge.
| Key Point: Liberation from the fetters of carnal desires, through moderation in self-purification, frees the mind and heart from the dominion of the lower self and prepares the seeker for profound reflection. |
Mystical reflection, like a divine ray, is distinct from mischief and melancholy. Mischief constitutes a mode of thought serving selfish and carnal impulses, whereas melancholy involves a fixation on the past that impedes forward-looking insight. Mystical reflection, by contrast, is divinely oriented and future-focused, guiding the seeker toward knowledge. This distinction, like a clear line between light and darkness, reveals the necessity of self-purification and observance of sacred law.
The commentator stresses that sin obstructs reflection. Through sin, the mind is led either to mischief or melancholy; yet through obedience and purification, the heart is readied to receive divine illumination. This light guides the seeker to comprehend the marvels of creation, from bones and veins to nerves and limbs.
Mysticism devoid of sacred law resembles a rootless tree, culminating in misguidance and artificiality. The pure law provides the framework guiding mystical reflection. The seeker must sincerely obey divine commands and prohibitions so that the heart is cleansed from the obscurities of sin. This purity, like a polished mirror, reflects the light of knowledge and directs the seeker toward perceiving the subtleties of divine craftsmanship.
| Key Point: Mystical reflection, through adherence to sacred law and self-purification, is distinguished from mischief and melancholy and directs the seeker toward divine knowledge. |
The subtleties of creation constitute the delicate and intricate nuances that transcend superficial generalities, accessible solely through spiritual insight. While the general populace observes the heavens and the earth, these subtleties, akin to concealed secrets woven into the fabric of existence, are revealed exclusively to the discerning eye of the seeker. The commentator elucidates this notion with elegant analogies: akin to a painter whose mastery allows him to perceive the quality of pigments and the underlying priming; or an electrician attuned to technical intricacies; or a musician discerning disharmonies within musical modes. The subtleties of creation, like the gentle melodies of existence, are perceived only by the inner ear of the spiritual wayfarer.
| Key Point: The subtleties of creation are delicate nuances perceivable only through spiritual insight and self-purification, remaining concealed from the common perspective. |
The commentator portrays the subtleties of creation through refined analogies. The insightful painter perceives the intricacies of colour and priming; the skilled electrician apprehends the fine details of wiring; and the master musician detects disharmonies within musical frameworks. These analogies serve as mirrors reflecting the truth of the subtleties. Likewise, the seeker, through spiritual insight, discerns the marvels embedded within bones, veins, nerves, and limbs. Such comprehension results from self-purification and adherence to religious observance, which prepare the heart to receive divine illumination.
Piety functions as a golden key that unlocks the doors of knowledge. Through piety, God places a light within the seekers heart, enabling distinction between truth and falsehood. This light is the فُرقَان (Furqn), which empowers the seeker to apprehend the subtleties of creation and the nuances of divine bounty. As stated in the Holy Quran:
إِنْ تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ فُرْقَانًا
(Surah Al-Anfal, verse 29; translated by : If you fear Allah, He will grant you discernment.) Furqn is the instrument of theoretical wisdom that guides the seeker to differentiate truth from falsehood.
Piety not only grants Furqn (theoretical wisdom) but also bestows Makhraj (practical wisdom) upon the seeker. Makhraj functions as an open pathway, liberating the seeker from intellectual and practical dead-ends. The synthesis of Furqn and Makhraj elevates the seeker to the zenith of reflectionwhere both truth is discerned from falsehood, and practical solutions are attained. These two faculties operate as dual wings, enabling the seekers ascent towards comprehensive knowledge.
| Key Point: Through bestowing Furqn and Makhraj, piety equips the seeker with both theoretical and practical wisdom, guiding them towards the perfection of contemplation. |
The divine light residing within the seekers heart transcends the capacities of the lower self. Although empirical sciences and rational faculties of the soul possess intrinsic value, they cannot culminate in the perception of the subtleties of creation. The divine light, akin to a celestial ray, guides the seeker to insight surpassing intellect and the ego. This illumination is attained through the purification of the heart and religious obedience, enabling the seeker to apprehend the finer points of creation.
Deficiencies in foundational knowledge, religious observance, or self-purification disrupt the faculty of reflection. Should the seeker lack any of these three prerequisites, they become ensnared not in reflection but in sorrow or mischief. The commentator emphasises that spiritual maladies must be rectified prior to contemplation; otherwise, abundant knowledge fails to culminate in true understanding. Such deficiencies act as a dark shadow extinguishing the light of reflection.
The commentator adopts a critical perspective on the stagnation evident in certain scientific fields. Acquisition of knowledge absent self-purification and practice leads to an accumulation of fruitless information. Scientific disciplines ought to be generative, producing new insights rather than merely reiterating the past. Such dynamism, like a pure flowing stream, propels the field from inertia towards creativity.
| Key Point: Scientific fields must be productive and dynamic, generating new knowledge through purification and reflection to overcome stagnation and futile accumulation of information. |
Lesson Eighty-Nine of Manzil al-Sirn, by elucidating three conditions for the perception of divine subtleties of creation, offers a comprehensive guide for spiritual seekers. Discerning insight into the foundations equips the seeker with intellectual and scientific instruments; responsiveness to the call of spiritual intimations polishes the heart through religious obedience; and liberation from the shackles of desires frees the mind and heart from the dominion of the self. These three conditions, like three radiant jewels, illuminate the path to knowledge. The subtleties of creation, delicate nuances of existence, manifest only through spiritual insight and self-purification. Piety, through bestowing Furqn and Makhraj, equips the seeker with theoretical and practical wisdom and releases them from intellectual and practical impasses. Furthermore, scientific disciplines must maintain dynamism and creativity to generate new knowledge and attain the pinnacle of understanding.
This lesson, like a brilliant beacon, guides the seeker towards profound and divine contemplation that transcends mischief and sorrow, culminating in heavenly knowledge. With discipline, purification, and obedience, the seeker, akin to an athlete attaining perfection through rigorous training, attains perception of the minutiae of creation.
| Supervised by Sadegh Khademi |
