of Nokounam Session 226
Manzil al-Sirn is a profound and mystical work authored by Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, serving as a guiding beacon for seekers traversing the path of spiritual truth. This treatise elucidates the stages of spiritual wayfaring towards God with concise yet profound discourse. The exegesis presented in the lectures of Nokounam (may his sanctified soul rest in peace), particularly in session 226, addresses the second station concerning the sanctity of Divine speech. This station emphasises adherence to the apparent meaning of the Divine wordboth God's and the Messenger'seschewing any form of allegorical interpretation, justification, or lamentation in the understanding of the Divine utterance.
The sanctity of Divine speech at the second station is defined as the acceptance and execution of the words of God and the Messenger according to their apparent and immediate meaning. This station obliges the seeker to steadfastly abide by the primary and manifest meaning of the Divine speech, without the intrusion of personal subjectivity or the imposition of non-obvious interpretations. The term khabar (news/report) herein refers explicitly to Divine speech, namely the Qurn al-Karm and the Sunnah (narrations of the Infallibles). Adhering to the apparent meaning of the khabar is akin to safeguarding a precious gem within a crystalline treasury, where any manipulation diminishes its brilliance and authenticity.
The second station explicitly forbids any allegorical interpretation (tawl), justification, modification, or dragging the Divine speech towards hidden meanings. Here, tawl denotes shifting the apparent meaning towards a non-manifest interpretation, which may result in distortion. Justification involves imposing personal or expedient interpretations onto the text, comparable to an artist painting foreign colours over the authentic canvas of Divine speech. The Divine word must be accepted as it was revealed, akin to a crystal-clear stream whose every alteration diminishes its purity.
The sanctity of the Qurn lies in reading and understanding Divine speech precisely as it was revealed, without deviation, allegory, or justification that distorts its apparent meaning. The Qurn is a celestial book whose every word is a light for guidance; any tampering with its exterior is tantamount to extinguishing a lamp amid darkness. This principle asserts the self-sufficiency of Divine speech and forestalls spiritual corruption.
The sanctity of Divine speech requires that the expressions of God and the Messenger be accepted as presented, without measuring or interpreting them through personal mental frameworks. The human mind is a limited vessel incapable of containing the infinite grandeur of Divine speech. Imposing personal interpretations upon it is akin to attempting to confine an ocean within a small jugan endeavour doomed to failure.
The Qurn must function as the imam and pioneer of guidance, not be drawn into the orbit of individual mentalities. This principle resembles a caravan that must follow its Divine leaders path rather than pulling the leader along a route of its own choosing. Humanity is duty-bound to obey the Qurn, not employ it as a tool to justify personal beliefs.
The manifest meaning derived from the literal expression is the principal criterion for understanding Divine speech. This meaning resembles the first ray of light emanating from the word into the mind, accessible and comprehensible to the general populace. The Qurn was revealed in the language of the common people, aiming at general understanding rather than solely for the elite. This principle shields Divine speech from unnecessary complexity.
Lamentation in understanding Divine speech signifies deviation from the correct path and enduring hardship on a false route. Such deviation resembles stepping on sharp blades which, instead of guiding, wound and mislead. Divine speech must never be interpreted in a manner that leads to error or falsity.
Divine speech must not be ascribed meanings contradictory to its apparent sense. Scholarly discourse and research on the verses must not result in lamentation or unreal interpretation. This principle preserves the secure shore of Divine speech from tempestuous waves of non-manifest interpretations that threaten it.
Lamentation is defined as proceeding along an unnatural and incorrect route, akin to walking on an uneven road leading to hardship and error. This conceptualisation explains lamentation as a spiritual deviation in the understanding of Divine speech.
Forced allegorical interpretation denotes an unnatural effort to find hidden or non-apparent meanings in Divine speech. Such an endeavour is like tailoring an ill-fitting garment for the body of Divine speech, detracting from its beauty and authenticity.
The sanctity of Divine speech is preserved by acting upon its apparent meaning. Had God intended a hidden meaning, He would have clearly articulated it. This principle is analogous to adhering to a blueprint laid down by the Divine architect for human guidance.
Unwarranted allegorical interpretation damages the apparent meaning and invalidates the inner significance, similar to striking through an official document, negating its authority. This principle underscores the critical importance of preserving the apparent text as the foundation of its legitimacy.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: Whoever interprets the Qurn according to his own opinion, his abode shall be the Fire. This warning is like a clarion call awakening the seeker against the peril of imposing personal views upon Divine speech.
An exegetical rendering of the noble verse فِي جُزُوعِ النَّخْلِ as upon the trunks of the palm trees represents a form of subjective interpretation (tawl bi-ry), which deviates from the apparent literal meaning of the verse.
At the second level of reverence, one must believe in the Divine verses precisely as they have been transmitted, refraining from any assertion of grasping meanings beyond the comprehension of the general populace. This faith is analogous to submission before a luminous guidance descending from the heavens.
For instance, the noble verse إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ mandates belief in the revelation of the Qurn during the Night of Decree (Lailat al-Qadr), rather than in an esoteric or allegorical descent.
The comprehension of Divine speech must neither lead to excessiveness (such as esoteric interpretations) nor to negligence (such as rigid adherence to an irrational literalism). This principle is akin to maintaining balance upon the straight path (ir al-Mustaqm), whereby any deviation would plunge the seeker into perdition.
When the apparent meaning of a verse appears incongruous or irrational, rational demonstration (burhn) precludes adherence to that literal exterior. In such circumstances, one must adhere to a meaning that is coherent and consonant with Divine justice. Reason functions as a torch illuminating the path of truth amid the darkness cast by irrational apparent meanings.
For example, in the noble verse وَمَنْ كَانَ فِي هَذِهِ أَعْمَى فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى, the apparent meaning (physical blindness) conflicts with Divine justice. Rational proof elucidates that the intended sense is inner blindness (ignorance or sin).
If the apparent meaning of a verse is rational, one must act accordingly. However, should the apparent meaning be irrational, rational proof determines the correct interpretation. This principle is analogous to a balance scale weighing the truth against mere appearances.
Inner blindness (ignorance or sin) is more severe than physical blindness. Verses referring to blindness typically allude to inner blindness. This principle resembles the distinction between light and darkness, separating truth from mere appearance.
For example, in the verse وَمَنْ كَانَ فِي هَذِهِ أَعْمَى فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى, the contextual indication وَأَضَلُّ سَبِيلًا clarifies that the intended meaning is inner blindness, as physical blindness is incompatible with severe misguidance.
The second level of reverence for Divine speech emphasizes adherence to the apparent report, avoidance of allegorisation, justification, or regret, and faith in the verses exactly as transmitted. This level resembles the preservation of a celestial treasure, where any manipulation diminishes its value. The Qurn, as an exemplar and guide, must remain the ultimate reference for guidance; humanity should submit to it rather than subjecting the Divine speech to personal intellectual constructs. Rational demonstration, in instances of irrational apparent meanings, determines the correct interpretation and prevents rigidity or unnecessary allegorisation. These principles offer a scholarly and mystical framework for engaging with Divine speech that both preserves its sanctity and renders its comprehension accessible to the general public.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
