Introduction

In the mystical journey, the station of surrender shines like a lofty summit within the stations of the wayfarers, guiding the traveller towards complete acceptance of the Divine will and trust in the wisdom and soundness of the actions of the Divine. This work, based on Nokhounam's lectures in session 273 (21st January 2009), explicates the third ascent of the first stage of the station of surrender, which is "the response to the fears that disturb the seeker from facing dangers," analysing the punitive and elevating hardships, as well as critiquing the concept of abandoning means. Surrender, as the highest rank of transactions, frees the traveller from anxiety and despair in the face of hardships, inviting them to actively confront dangers with the certainty of their goodness. This writing, by merging the original content of the lecture with detailed analysis, provides a coherent framework for understanding surrender, distinguishing between punitive and elevating hardships, and rejecting misconceptions about abandoning means. Critiquing determinism and emphasising the causal and gradual nature of the world, along with Qur'anic references, narrations, and philosophical, mystical, and sociological analyses, this work becomes a comprehensive resource for researchers in the fields of mysticism, theology, and philosophy. The structure of this writing, with specialized titles and subheadings, literary examples, and highlighted boxes for key points, is designed to guide the reader along a clear and spiritual path.

Part One: Explaining the First Stage of the Station of Surrender

Understanding the Response to Hardships in the Station of Surrender

The third ascent of the first stage of the station of surrender, "the response to the fears that disturb the seeker from facing dangers," invites the traveller to actively and courageously confront the hardships, fears, and dangers that disturb them. This response, with certainty in the goodness of these hardships, is expressed through the statements "Happy for me" and "I have seen nothing but beauty," signifying true surrender. In contrast to passivity or anxiety, the traveller, at this station, embraces dangers with an open heart and unwavering trust in the Divine wisdom, viewing them as a ladder to ascend to the peaks of knowledge. This passage elevates surrender from the theoretical domain (validating the Divine action) to the practical domain (facing fears) and calls the traveller to courageous engagement.

This noble verse, like a blazing torch, guides the traveller towards the acceptance of the Divine decree with trust and certainty. The response to hardships is a manifestation of trust in Allah (Tawakkul), which frees the traveller from anxiety and despair.

The Three Phases of the First Stage of Surrender

The first stage of the station of surrender consists of three phases: "Surrendering to what challenges the intellect," "Acknowledging what overpowers reason," and "Responding to what frightens the seeker." These three phases have fundamental differences in terms of nature and function:

• Surrendering to what challenges the intellect: This phase pertains to knowledge and refers to certainty in the Divine wisdom when confronted with natural calamities such as floods and earthquakes that challenge rational thought. The traveller, at this stage, invites the intellect to surrender to the Divine wisdom.
• Acknowledging what overpowers reason: This phase pertains to the heart and refers to the belief in the Divine wisdom in worldly transformations, such as changes in governments or Divine allotments, which overpower rational analogy. Unlike natural disasters, these transformations are dependent on human causes and reasons.
• Responding to what frightens the seeker: This phase is practical and invites the traveller to actively confront dangers, such as wars, jihad, and perilous journeys, with certainty in their goodness. This response is a combination of knowledge and action.

These three phases are like rungs on a ladder, guiding the traveller from knowledge to the heart, and from the heart to action. The first phase makes the intellect surrender; the second guides the heart to acknowledge the Divine wisdom; and the third invites the traveller to brave and hopeful action.

This verse introduces surrender as a practical form of sincerity that leads the traveller from knowledge to action.

Examples of Fears and Hardships

The "riding of fears" in this phase includes the following examples:

• Endangering the soul in wars: Risking one's life in battles, requiring courage and trust in the Divine will.
• Sacrificing oneself in the path of jihad: Self-sacrifice in the way of truth, a sign of practical surrender and devotion.
• Travelling through deserts and forests: Travelling in dangerous wildernesses, with natural and animal hazards.
• Sailing on perilous ships: Sailing in the past, when pirates and shipwrecks were common threats.
• Other dangers: Other hardships that disturb the traveller, such as storms and unexpected accidents.

These examples refer to the historical and social conditions of the time of Khawaja Abdullah Ansari, but in the present era, they can be extended to modern wars, dangerous migrations, and confronting injustice. The traveller must face these fears with certainty in the Divine wisdom, as if dancing toward the Creator beneath the swords blade.