the Lectures of Nokounam, may his sacred spirit be sanctified (Session 235)

Introduction: Elucidating Sincerity as the Pinnacle of Mystical Progression

Sincerity (Ikhl), akin to a resplendent gem within the treasury of mystical progression, liberates the seeker from the bonds of ego and otherness, guiding him towards absolute Divine Unity (Tawd). This station, which in its highest degrees culminates in emancipation from action itself, encompasses not merely the negation of hypocrisy and duplicity, but a complete severance from all that is other than God. The 235th lecture in the Manzil al-Sirn series, delivered on the 18th of Bahman 1386 in the Solar Hijri calendar, is devoted to elucidating the stages of sincerity with a particular emphasis on the third degree, namely, "Sincerity of Action by Emancipation from Action".

Section One: The Stages of Sincerity and the Challenges of the Spiritual Path

First Stage: The Paradox of Action

At the initial stage of sincerity, the seeker confronts a fundamental paradox inherent in action: "If he does not act, he perishes; and if he acts, the action destroys him." Should the seeker abstain from action, he suffers loss through inactivity; conversely, should he engage in action, the imperfection in sincerity leads him to ruin. This paradox functions as a bifurcation placing the seeker in a constricting dilemma: either inactivity resulting in frailty and decay, or action, which due to attachment to the ego, alienates him from the path of truth.

This contradiction stems from the seeker's entrapment in self-centeredness. At this stage, he still ascribes the action to himself, remaining distant from the unity of actions (Tawd al-Afl) which recognises God alone as the true agent. This difficulty propels the seeker towards the second stage, wherein the awareness of the insufficiency of action becomes the soil for his spiritual transformation.

Second Stage: Shame at the Imperfection of Action

At the second stage, the seeker attains the station of al-Khajal min al-Amalthe shame borne from the imperfection of his deeds. Despite all his exertion and effort, he is mortified by the shortcomings and deficiencies in his action. This shame acts like a mirror, reflecting the defects of the act to the seeker and guiding him towards cognizance of his own imperfection. Nonetheless, this embarrassment still denotes attachment to the act, for the seeker yet perceives himself as the agent and laments the insufficiency of his deed.

This stage serves as a bridge towards the third degree, where the seeker must liberate himself even from this shame and entirely ascribe the action to God. Although this shame is indicative of spiritual growth, so long as the seeker relates himself to the act, it obstructs the realization of perfect sincerity.

Summary of Section One

The initial stages of sincerity confront the seeker with foundational challenges. At the first stage, the paradox of action imposes a constriction in choice, while at the second, shame for defective action marks spiritual maturation. These stages function as steps ascending towards the third stageemancipation from action. They emphasise the necessity of vigilance and liberation from ego in the mystical journey.

Section Two: The Third Stage of Sincerity: Emancipation from Action

Defining Sincerity as Emancipation

The third stage of sincerity is introduced with the expression: "The third degree is the sincerity of action by emancipation from action, which allows it to become the path of knowledge and makes you a free observer of the Divine Decree, liberated from the bondage of form." At this station, sincerity signifies complete release from attachment to the act, attributing it solely to Divine Knowledge. The seeker thus frees himself from the bonds of action and entrusts it entirely to the power and agency of God, attaining the vision of Divine Decree and emancipation from otherness and external appearances.

This stage is the zenith of Tawd al-Afl (Unity of Actions), wherein the seeker perceives no agent other than God as efficacious. By uttering, "By Gods might and power, I rise and sit," he negates his own agency and ascribes all affairs to God. This perspective acts as a key that unlocks the egos chains and grants the seeker spiritual freedom.

Negation of Otherness and Liberation from Form

The phrase "free from the bondage of form" refers to the seeker's liberation from the constraints of external and formal effects. Form functions as a veil concealing truth, entangling the seeker in superficial attachments. At this degree, the seeker is freed from any otherness, whether self or creation, and sees only God as the effective agent. This freedom results from total severance towards the Divine, releasing the seeker from human judgments and formal definitions.

In logic, form stands in opposition to the limit (true definition) and points to superficial and formal definitions. In mysticism, form encompasses all that is other than God, including created effects and carnal attachments. The sincere seeker thus becomes emancipated from these forms and beholds only Divine Reality.

Explication of the Unity of Actions

The third stage of sincerity is grounded in the doctrine of Tawd al-Afl, which recognises all affairs as from God and returning to Him: "All of them are from Him and return unto Him." The seeker in this station perceives himself merely as a vessel for the Divine act, liberated from any claim of agencyeven that which appears as shame or pride. This perspective constitutes a gateway to Divine witnessing, guiding the seeker into pure servitude to God.

The Noble Quran states regarding this station:

This verse acts as a beacon, inviting the seeker to renounce attachments and attribute all affairs to God.

Summary of Section Two

The third stage of sincerity represents the summit of the mystical journey, freeing the seeker from attachment to action and otherness, and enabling the vision of Divine Decree. By negating ego and attributing all matters to God, the seeker attains liberation from superficial forms and pure servitude to the Almighty. The doctrine of Unity of Actions underpins this stage, releasing the seeker from all claims of agency.

Section Three: Challenges of Sincerity and the Grave Danger to the Sincere

The Grave Danger to the Sincere

The lecture refers to the prophetic saying: "And the sincere ones are in great peril." This utterance serves as a warning illuminating the difficulty and delicacy of the station of sincerity. The sincere are exposed to danger because any slip in intention, including egoism or hypocrisy, may cause them to fall from this station. This danger acts as a shadow cast upon the spiritual path, calling the seeker to continuous vigilance.

The temptations of the ego and Satan are among these threats, potentially deceiving the seeker into imagining his own agency or seeking the approval of others. This underscores the indispensability of constant reliance upon and supplication to God.

Jurisprudential Example: The Difficulty of Testimony

The lecture exemplifies the challenge of sincerity through a jurisprudential case: testifying to adultery, which must be delivered with the utmost precision (like the angle in the eye), is practically impossible without pure intention and nearness to God. This example metaphorically demonstrates the subtlety and difficulty of sincerity. Such testimony necessitates complete negation of ego and otherness, as the witness must act solely for God without any carnal motive.

This difficulty illustrates that sincerity in action is akin to walking a razor's edge. The seeker must proceed with utmost care and purity, free from attachment to self or others. This example vividly portrays the practical challenges in actualising sincerity.

Summary of Section Three

Although lofty, the station of sincerity is accompanied by immense dangers that compel the seeker to unceasing vigilance. Temptations of the ego and practical difficulties represent challenges that may cause the seeker to fall from this station. The jurisprudential example of testimony portrays the delicacy and hardship of this station, calling the seeker to renounce self and otherness alike.

Section Four: Liberation from Human Judgments and Reliance on God

The Tale of Mullah and the Donkey: An Allegory of Emancipation

The lecture concludes with the allegorical tale of the Mullah and the Donkey, highlighting the necessity of liberation from human judgments. In this narrative, every choice of the Mullahwhether riding, walking, or accompanied by his sonis met with criticism. This allegory functions as a mirror reflecting the futility of heeding worldly opinions. The sincere seeker must free himself from the influence of others judgments and attribute his actions solely to God.

This tale carries a profound lesson: the sincere seeker must be emancipated from the constraints of humanity and formal conventions, contemplating only Divine satisfaction. Any attachment to human judgment obstructs the realization of true sincerity.

Freedom from Servitude to Creation