the Lectures of Nokounam , Session 148
The station of khawf in "Manzil al-Sirn" by Khwaja Abdullah Ansari constitutes one of the foundational stations in the mystical path, which, subsequent to uzn (sorrow), summons the wayfarer to contemplation on the future and vigilance concerning their ultimate destiny. This station functions akin to a beacon dispelling the darkness of heedlessness and guiding the seeker towards the purification of the soul and proximity to the Divine. Lecture number 148, delivered by Nokounam , offers a meticulous exposition of the station of khawf, emphasising its tripartite degrees, Quranic evidences, and the special rank of the Divine saints, especially the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), within this station. Khawf, delineated in the three degrees of the servant (abd), the merchant (tujjr), and the gnostic (rif), spans from the elementary fear of chastisement to the transcendent apprehension of Divine Majesty, its depth and comprehensiveness unveiled through metaphor and semantic interrelations.
Khawf denotes a spiritual state attained by the wayfarer after uzn, which is oriented towards the past; it redirects the attention towards the future: Al-Khawfu bada al-uzn, muallaq bil-ti.
This station serves as a manifestation of spiritual awakening, transforming the seeker from heedlessness to alertness, urging vigilance over ones deeds and ultimate outcome. Like a sentinel surveying from a lofty tower, khawf beckons the wayfarer to readiness in confronting their spiritual future.
Khawf is the station succeeding uzn, awakening the seeker from heedlessness and directing their care towards the future.
This station forms a bridge between past and future, guiding the wayfarer towards soul purification and Divine proximity.
Khawf is categorised into three objects, each representing a distinct stage in spiritual progression:
Wa huwa al thalth darajt.
Like a ladder whose every rung elevates the wayfarer to a loftier summit, these degrees illustrate the hierarchical order of spiritual maturation.
Khawf, in its three degrees of servant, merchant, and gnostic, extends from fear of chastisement to the apprehension of Divine Majesty.
This categorisation delineates the spiritual path from the most elementary fear to the most exalted degree of knowledge.
The fear characteristic of the servants (khawf al-abd) is a rudimentary fear arising from the punishment of sin. The merchants fear (khawf al-tujjr) concerns the anxiety over the preservation of Divine blessings and bounties. Conversely, the gnostics fear (khawf al-rif) emanates from the perception of Divine Glory and Beauty, instilling trembling within the wayfarer: Khawfu maqm Allh, khawfun jall lhu.
Just as a traveller stands in awe and trepidation before a majestic peak, the gnostics fear compels prostration before the Majesty of the Truth.
Khawf al-rif arises from the perception of Divine Majesty and Beauty and is intertwined with the yearning for proximity.
This degree is accompanied by spiritual delight and ardent desire, drawing the wayfarer closer to the sacred precinct.
The station of khawf, as the station succeeding uzn, directs the wayfarer towards vigilance about the future and the purification of the soul. Its tripartite degreesfrom the rudimentary fear of chastisement to the transcendent apprehension of Divine Majestymap the spiritual hierarchy, guiding the seeker from heedlessness towards gnosis. This station, by engendering spiritual alertness, lays the foundation for the subsequent stages of the mystical path.
The Holy Quran, through multiple verses, affirms the comprehensiveness of the concept of khawf and explicates its degrees, from fear of chastisement to fear of the Divine Station:
Like the varied melodies of a single instrument, these verses manifest the diverse degrees of khawf within the divine harmony.
The Holy Quran, through numerous verses, confirms the degrees of khawf, spanning from fear of punishment to fear of the Divine Station.
These evidences demonstrate the comprehensiveness of the concept of khawf within the Quranic paradigm and underscore its significance in the mystical path.
Divine fear is an emblem of faith: Al-Khawfu min al-uqubah wa huwa al-khawfu alladh yai bih al-mn.
Whoever does not fear sin or Divine chastisement lacks true faith, for faith is the hearts assent to the existence of God and His promises and warnings. Khawf represents a spiritual perfection that in the saints elevates through degrees of compassion, reverence, and subsequently love. Like a tree rooted in faith, khawf is the fruit of this heartfelt assent.
Divine fear is a sign of faith, and without heartfelt assent, khawf is meaningless.
This relationship establishes faith as the foundation of spiritual progression and khawf as a marker of spiritual perfection.
General khawf denotes fear of chastisement common among the general believers: Wa huwa khawfu al-mah.
However, special khawf is the fear of concealment and deprivation from Divine vision, peculiar to the saints: Wa amm al-khah fa-l yakhfna al-iqb bal al-itijb.
Analogous to the distinction between fear of punishment and anxiety over separation from the Beloved, special khawf resides within the gnostics epistemic realm.
Special khawf is the fear of concealment, exclusive to the saints, distinguished from general khawf.
This differentiation manifests the profound gnosis of the saints in contrast to the general fear of the common believers.
Quranic evidences affirm the comprehensiveness of the concept of khawf, from fear of chastisement to apprehension of the Divine Station, designating it as a pivotal station in the mystical path. The relationship between khawf and faith renders this station a sign of heartfelt assent. The distinction between general and special khawf clarifies spiritual hierarchies and highlights special khawf as a hallmark of the saints proximity.
The fear of the Divine Station culminates in the saints and arises from the apprehension of Divine Beauty and Majesty: Khawfu maqm khawfun jall ilh.
This fear is suffused with ardour and love, guiding the wayfarer towards the sacred precinct. Like a lover struck by awe and passion before the Beloveds Beauty, the Divine saints are seized by fear and longing before the greatness of the Truth.
The fear of the Divine Station among the saints is an intense reverence, infused with love and spiritual longing.
