Excerpted from the lectures of Nokounam (Session 128)
The book Manazil al-Sa'ireen by Khwaja Abdullah Ansari is one of the most prominent mystical works elucidating the stages of spiritual journey, offering a systematic framework for mystical progress by deeply examining the stations and states of the travelers. Nokounams lectures in session 128 discuss the concepts of general and special asceticism, emphasizing Hism al-Tafarruq (cutting off dispersion), cutting off delicacies, and Iqba al-Ilm Yajri Mujri (persistence of knowledge in action), identifying these stages as key pillars of mystical progress. This text compiles the lecture content with detailed analysis, providing an elegant and scholarly explanation of these concepts for academic and research audiences in Islamic mysticism.
General asceticism serves as the foundation of the path, focusing on purification of knowledge, sincerity of action, and respect for rights, while special asceticism, with focus on Hism al-Tafarruq and cutting off delicacies, guides the seeker toward existential unity and settling in the zero-point region. The text uses a scientific structure and draws upon Quranic verses to explain the stages of spiritual journey, critique the mysticism of lovers, and praise the mysticism of the beloved ones. Metaphors and refined allegories, such as healthy and spoiled lions or the humble stone, illuminate deep mystical concepts in a clear and attractive manner.
General asceticism, as the initial stage of the path, emphasizes purification of thought and knowledge, and refining actions from any non-divine taint. The seeker at this stage, who is from the elect rather than the masses, must cleanse their knowledge from polytheism and otherness and purify their actions from non-divine motives. This purification is like filtering pure water from impurities, preparing the seeker to receive the light of divine knowledge.
فَمَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَنْ يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلْإِسْلَامِ (Al-Anam: 125, Translated by : "So whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his breast to Islam"). This verse emphasizes the expansion of the heart and acceptance of pure knowledge as a condition for divine guidance, aligning with purification of knowledge in general asceticism.
Tawqir al-Huqooq, one of the pillars of general asceticism, means observing the rights of God and creation with greatness and respect. The seeker must honor the rights of every existing being, from night and day to self and others, with dignity and reverence. This respect is not about adding to existence (Tawfeer), but seeing the world with grandeur and reverence, as if standing before a mirror reflecting divine manifestations, where every particle is a sign of the Truth.
وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوا إِلَّا إِيَّاهُ وَبِالْوَالِدَيْنِ إِحْسَانًا (Al-Isra: 23, Translated by : "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents"). This verse emphasizes observing the rights of Creator and creation, affirming Tawqir al-Huqooq as a pillar of mystical progress.
In some manuscripts, the term Tawfeer has mistakenly been used instead of Tawqir al-Huqooq. Tawqir means venerating and respecting existence, while Tawfeer means adding or increasing, which is distant from the intended meaning. This linguistic correction reflects precision in mystical vocabulary to avoid distortion of meanings, akin to polishing a gem of knowledge flawlessly.
General asceticism rests on three pillars: first, purification of knowledge from doubts and polytheism; second, sincerity of action free from non-divine motives; and third, Tawqir al-Huqooq, i.e., respecting every being with grandeur and reverence. These pillars are like three columns supporting the edifice of the path that guide the seeker towards perfection.
قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَهُ الدِّينَ (Az-Zumar: 11, Translated by : "Say, 'Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion.'"). This verse confirms sincerity in worship and action, aligning with sincerity of action in general asceticism.
| Key Point: General asceticism, with purification of knowledge, sincerity of action, and respect for rights, forms the foundation of the mystical path and prepares the seeker for higher stages. |
General asceticism, as the foundation of the path, emphasizes purification of knowledge, sincerity of action, and respect for rights, freeing the seeker from egotistical and non-divine attachments. This stage refines cognition and deed, leading the seeker toward sincerity and pure divine knowledge. Quranic verses like the expansion of the chest and sincerity in worship affirm these pillars and underscore their importance in mystical progress.
Special asceticism is a more exalted stage that obliges the seeker to Hism al-Tafarruq, i.e., removal of dispersion, multiplicity, heedlessness, and doubt from existence. Dispersion is like a rotten and fragmented lion from which no benefit can be gained; the seeker must be like a healthy and unified lion, freeing their existence from fragmentation and attaining existential unity.
وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ إِذَا نَسِيتَ (Al-Kahf: 24, Translated by : "And remember your Lord when you forget"). This verse emphasizes removing heedlessness and dispersion through constant remembrance of God, which is a prerequisite for Hism al-Tafarruq in special asceticism.
Istijma, meaning gathering the existential powers and concentrating on divine unity, is a key pillar of special asceticism. The seeker must, with self-mastery, collect their senses and being, freeing from dispersion. This focus is like a martial artist who achieves victory not merely by force but by speed and attention. In martial arts, success depends on concentration and istijma, not mere outward power; likewise, in mystical progress, istijma leads the seeker to divine unity and presence.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنْظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ (Al-Hashr: 18, Translated by : "O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow"). This verse emphasizes focus and attention to divine goals, consistent with istijma in the path.
The saints (Awliya) attain an exceptional level of istijma, gathering their existence before the divine Truth with absolute surrender and attention, similar to the humble stone reflecting the face of the moon. This istijma is the secret of their closeness and divine grace.
The stage of cutting off delicacies refers to severing attachment to worldly pleasures and transient delights, which scatter the seekers heart. Just as a bird confined to a cage loses its freedom and delicacy of flight, the seeker must cut off these delicacies to soar toward spiritual freedom and unity.
Special asceticism, with its focus on Hism al-Tafarruq, istijma, and cutting off delicacies, is the key to the mystical zero-point where multiplicity dissolves and unity remains. This stage demands vigilance, self-mastery, and detachment from worldly distractions. Quranic guidance on remembrance and fear of God support these lofty spiritual stations.
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