Introduction: Gratitude, a Key Stage in the Mystical Journey The chapter of gratitude is one of the prominent stages in the mystical journey as outlined in the book "Maqamat al-S'irin" by Khwaja Abdullah Ansari. This stage guides the seeker from outward expressions of thankfulness for God's blessings to a higher and more spiritual form of gratitude directed towards the essence of the Divine. This station is thoroughly explored in the lectures of , May His Soul Rest in Peace (Session 299, nd of February, 2009), with profound scholarly insight and precision.
Key Insight: Gratitude serves as a bridge, connecting the seeker from the apparent blessings of the world to the infinite essence of God. Through its three stages, from gratitude for blessings to gratitude for the Divine essence itself, it reflects the spiritual evolution of the human soul.
Section One: The Stages of Gratitude in Mystical Practice
The Hierarchy of Gratitude
In Islamic mysticism, the station of gratitude is distinguished into three main stages: Shukr Mahabbah (gratitude for desirable blessings), Shukr Makrah (gratitude for afflictions), and Shukr Mahbb (gratitude for the Divine essence). These stages act as a spiritual ladder, guiding the seeker from a basic level to the pinnacle of mystical attainment. Shukr Mahabbah is the initial stage where one expresses gratitude for tangible and desirable blessings such as health, wealth, and safety. Shukr Makrah represents a higher level, where the seeker, recognizing God's will in all circumstances, even in trials and tribulations, remains thankful. Shukr Mahbb is the highest stage, where the seeker expresses gratitude solely for God's essence, independent of any outward blessings or hardships. This classification acts as a mirror reflecting the evolutionary journey of the human soul: from gratitude for material blessings shared even by non-believers, to gratitude for misfortunes, which signifies submission and acceptance, and ultimately to gratitude for the Divine essence, which marks the culmination of spiritual annihilation and nearness to God.
Shukr Mahabbah: The Initial Stage
Shukr Mahabbah is the gratitude for desirable blessings bestowed by God's mercy. It represents the most basic form of thankfulness, where individuals, in accordance with their innate disposition, offer thanks for blessings such as sustenance, health, and security. Remarkably, this form of gratitude is not only observed among believers but also among followers of other religions, such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. This suggests the innate nature of Shukr Mahabbah and its role as the foundation for higher levels of gratitude. From a theological perspective, this gratitude reflects the vastness of God's mercy, known as "S'at al-Bar'ah". God accepts even this preliminary form of gratitude and promises further blessings and rewards in return. This acceptance is akin to a door that opens, inviting the seeker to continue on their spiritual path.
Quranic Verse: "If you are grateful, I will surely increase your blessings; and if you are ungrateful, indeed My punishment is severe." (Surah Ibrahim, 14:7)
This verse reveals God's promise to increase blessings in return for gratitude. The warning of punishment in the case of ingratitude refers not to direct suffering, but to the ingratitude itself, which leads to the deprivation of God's mercy. This aligns with the concept of God's infinite mercy and encourages the seeker to maintain their gratitude.
Key Insight: Shukr Mahabbah is like a sapling planted in the soil of the human soul. With the acceptance of God's mercy, it transforms into a robust tree, growing in the soil of spiritual practice.
Summary of Section One
The first section discussed the stages of gratitude and the position of Shukr Mahabbah as the initial stage. Being innate and common to all humans, Shukr Mahabbah serves as the starting point for the mystical journey. God's promise of further blessings in return for gratitude is a manifestation of His boundless mercy, inviting the seeker to continue their journey. This stage acts as a gateway leading the seeker to the higher stations of Shukr Makrah and Shukr Mahbb.
Section Two: Shukr Makrah The Stage of Surrender and Acceptance
Shukr Makrah: Gratitude for Afflictions
Shukr Makrah represents a higher level of gratitude, where the seeker thanks God even for trials and adversities, such as illness, loss, or hardship. This stage marks the seeker's elevation to a level where they accept God's will in all matters, whether apparent good or evil. Shukr Makrah requires submission and contentment with God's decree, freeing the seeker from worldly attachments. This form of gratitude is akin to an alchemical process that transforms trials into blessings. The seeker, in this state, not only endures hardship but perceives it as a manifestation of divine grace. Through thankfulness, they draw nearer to the Divine Presence.
Two Types of Shukr Makrah
Shukr Makrah can be divided into two types: Shukr Bil-Rid (gratitude with inner contentment) and Shukr Bil-abr (gratitude through patience). Shukr Bil-Rid is the stage where the seeker perceives even unpleasant events as blessings and thanks God wholeheartedly. This stage reflects the seeker's unity perception, where both good and bad are seen as expressions of God's will. An example from literature beautifully illustrates this idea: "If the bleeding wound does not heal, it should still be accepted as a balm." This exemplifies how the seeker accepts hardship as a remedy from the Beloved. Shukr Bil-abr is a lower stage where the seeker, though not fully content, still expresses gratitude out of patience and respect for God. This form of gratitude is not the true gratitude of Shukr Bil-Rid, but rather patience in the face of divine will.
Key Insight: Shukr Bil-Rid is like a gem that shines through hardship, guiding the seeker towards a unified vision and complete surrender to God's will.
Gratitude as Human Dignity
One of the central points in this lecture is the emphasis on gratitude as human dignity, rather than as a theological obligation. Contrary to the view of theologians, who regard gratitude to the benefactor as a religious duty, here gratitude is seen as a natural and voluntary response of the human being to God's generosity. The obligation of gratitude reduces it to a mere obligation and law, diminishing its moral value. Gratitude is like a flower that grows in the garden of human nature and, with grace and respect, is offered to the Creator.
An example in this regard is enlightening: if someone gives water to another and the latter does not express gratitude, it is considered impolite, but not obligatory. Gratitude is a sign of dignity and human upbringing, not an imposition of duty. This perspective introduces gratitude as a moral and mystical virtue that is deeply connected to human choice and nature.
Critique of the Theological View
Theologians, by deeming gratitude obligatory, have turned it into a forced law, which is inconsistent with divine wisdom. This critique emphasizes the difference between a judicial religion and a theological religion. Gratitude, as a natural response to God's generosity, should not be reduced to a legal obligation. This approach is like a chain that confines the spirit of gratitude and prevents it from soaring toward higher meanings.
"No one rejects kindness except a donkey."
This narration underscores the importance of human dignity in gratitude. Rejecting a gift is a sign of a deficiency in nature and upbringing, but this deficiency does not mean the obligation of gratitude; rather, it indicates impoliteness and a lack of virtue.
Gratitude as a New Blessing
Gratitude itself is a blessing that requires further gratitude. This cycle of gratitude refers to God's boundless generosity, where each blessing is accompanied by another. This sequence is like a river flowing from the spring of divine mercy, guiding the seeker toward the infinite sea of God's benevolence.
Gratitude, as a blessing, calls for another blessing, and in this endless cycle, the seeker is drawn closer to the boundless mercy of God.
Critique of the Prohibition on the Buying and Selling of the Holy Qur'an
One of the peripheral yet profound discussions in this lecture is the critique of the prohibition on the buying and selling of the Holy Qur'an. The argument is made that prohibiting the sale of the Qur'an amounts to distorting the divine verses, rather than prohibiting the sale of the Qur'anic book as a material product that is the result of human effort.
"Do not sell My signs for a small price." (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 41)
This verse refers to the distortion and misuse of the divine verses for material gain, not the sale of the Qur'an as a product of human effort. This distinction reflects an approach that separates legal rulings from divine wisdom.
Gratitude in Animals
To critique the obligation of gratitude, a humorous argument is presented: if gratitude to the benefactor is obligatory, then it must also be obligatory for animals, since God has also bestowed blessings upon them. This argument demonstrates the illogical nature of the obligation of gratitude. Gratitude, as human dignity, is reserved for human beings, who respond to God's generosity with free will and awareness. The Holy Qur'an assigns gratitude specifically to humans, and speaks of the glorification and prostration of other creatures, but does not mention gratitude for them. This distinction emphasizes the special role of humans in offering gratitude as free, conscious beings.
Summary of Section Three
Gratitude towards the Beloved is the pinnacle of mystical journeying, in which the seeker, with love for the essence of God, expresses gratitude, independent of material benefits. The emphasis on gratitude as human dignity, the critique of the obligation of gratitude from the perspective of theologians, and the explanation of gratitude as a new blessing, reveal the depth of this spiritual state. Critiques on the buying and selling of the Holy Qur'an and the argument regarding animals further strengthen the judicial and mystical approach to gratitude. This section invites the seeker to embrace gratitude as a means to draw closer to God.
Grand Conclusion
The chapter on gratitude in Maqamat al-S'irn serves as a guiding light on the mystical path, leading the seeker from outward gratitude to inner gratitude and ultimately to gratitude for the essence of God. The three stages of gratitude, from gratitude for favours (shukr al-mab), to gratitude in a deceptive way (shukr al-makrah), and gratitude for the Beloved (shukr al-mabb), illustrate the evolution of the human spirit. Gratitude for favours, being natural, opens the door to the spiritual path. Gratitude in a deceptive way, through surrender and contentment, frees the seeker from attachments. Gratitude for the Beloved, with love for God's essence, marks the ultimate closeness to God. The critique of theological views, such as the obligation of gratitude and the prohibition on the buying and selling of the Holy Qur'an, demonstrates an approach that sees gratitude as an innate and voluntary virtue. The Qur'anic verses, the lives of the infallibles, and practical examples make these concepts clearer.
With the supervision of Sadeq Khademi
