Lectures of Nikoonam (May 30, 2011 - Lecture 350)
Introduction
The present work is a scholarly and technical rewrite of the 350th session of the Manazil al-Sairin lectures, delivered by Nikoonam (may his soul rest in peace) on May 30, 2011, focusing on the chapter of humility. This section, as one of the key stages in the mystic journey, emphasizes the role of reason, insight, and perseverance in accepting and obeying the true religion.
Section 1: The Position and Importance of the Chapter of Humility in the Mystical Stages
Structure of the Stages of the Mystical Journey and the Position of Humility The chapter of humility, as one of the pivotal stages in the
Manazil al-Sairin mystical journey, emphasizes the acceptance of divine commandments without question. However, this acceptance must be based on insight and certainty. Humility before the divine is understood as submission to the divine commandments, provided that the seeker, through intellect and investigation, is certain of the truth of the religious source. This stage follows creation and appears to complement it, guiding the seeker from self-conceit and ego towards a conscious submission to the Divine Truth. This stage is deeply connected with fundamental concepts in Islamic mysticism, such as insight, perseverance, and sincerity. Humility not only entails outward acceptance of religious rulings but also encompasses an inner understanding of their wisdom. It is as though the seeker, like a humble stream, merges with the ocean of truth.
Key Point: Humility in religion is the acceptance of divine commands based on insight and certainty, guiding the seeker from self-centeredness towards conscious submission to the Divine Truth.
Section 2: The Stages and Concepts of Humility in the Mystical Journey
First Stage: Humility in Acceptance of Divine Commandments Humility in the face of religion refers to the complete acceptance of divine commands, as stated in the lecture: "The first stage of humility in religion is submission to the divine command and prohibition." This acceptance involves surrendering to God's will, not blindly, but with awareness and certainty regarding the source of the religion. The seeker must accept the true religion, as conveyed through revelation and the infallible ones (the Prophet (PBUH) and the Imams (A.S.)), and follow it without question. This submission, though, is akin to a gentle breeze bowing to the divine wind, yet performed with awareness and free will. This stage aligns with the verse:
Indeed, I am upon clear evidence from my Lord
(Surah Al-An'am, 6:57), which emphasizes the necessity of having clear evidence (bna) in accepting the religion.
Key Point: The acceptance of the true religion is through revelation and the infallible ones, requiring insight and investigation, while earthly religions may be subject to error and human interpretation.
Section 3: The Role of Reason in Accepting Religion
Reason as the Divine Gift Reason, as a divine gift, is the primary tool for the seeker to distinguish between the true and false religion. The lecture emphasizes that "religion without reason cannot guide a person." The seeker must, through investigation, be certain of the legitimacy of the religious source, as though they were an explorer searching for the gem of truth in the mine of the divine teachings. Blind acceptance of any religious claim leads to misguidance, as anyone might claim to represent the divine message.
Key Point: Reason is the tool through which the seeker distinguishes the true religion from falsehood, avoiding blind imitation and misguidance.
Section 4: The Danger of Blind Imitation and the Need for Inquiry
The Danger of Blind Imitation The lecture strongly criticizes blind imitation and likens it to foolish behavior. Accepting religious commands without certainty of their source leads the seeker into misguidance. The text explicitly states: "Obedience without reason is invalid." The seeker must use reason to evaluate the source of a command to ensure that they are not following false or unreliable sources, as though they were a navigator checking the accuracy of a compass before sailing on the sea of religion. This critique aligns with the famous saying:
He who acts according to what he knows, God grants him knowledge of what he does not know.
(Hadith: Whoever acts upon what they know, God will grant them knowledge of what they do not know.)
Key Point: Obedience to religious commands is only valid after ensuring the authenticity of the source, akin to drinking from a pure spring only after confirming its purity.
Section 5: Mystical Metaphors and Parables
The Story of Sheikh Mohammad bin Abd al-Jabbar The lecture recounts a story of Sheikh Mohammad bin Abd al-Jabbar who said: "If I command you to do something, carry it out." However, the text criticizes this view and asserts that obedience to a spiritual guide is only valid once the seeker has certainty about the guides legitimacy. This story likens the seeker to a traveler who, before following a guide, ensures the correctness of the path they are being led on.
The Metaphor of the Qibla and Prayer The lecture, using the metaphor of the qibla, illustrates the importance of certainty in religious practices. If the seeker does not know the direction of the qibla, Islamic scholars advise them to pray in all four directions, but this action is incomplete without certainty about the direction. This metaphor likens the seeker to a sailor lost in the sea of worship without a reliable compass.
Key Point: Religious actions, without certainty about their source, are incomplete and lead the seeker into misguidance, just as prayer without facing the qibla is incomplete.
Critique of Cow Worship and Simplicity
The text critiques the worship of the golden calf by the Israelites, denouncing simplicity and blind imitation. The acceptance of the calf as God and the rejection of Prophet Moses (PBUH) exemplifies the misguidance resulting from simplicity. This story calls the seeker to mindfulness, suggesting that, like a pure spring, one must remain free from the impurities of ignorance and simplicity.
Section 5: Social and Mystical Critiques
Danger of Blind Imitation and Religious Chaos
The discourse considers blind imitation as the cause of chaos and misguidance in religions. The existence of thousands of faiths and sects results from the unquestioning acceptance of religious claims, with each individual claiming to represent religion and leading followers astray. This situation is likened to a busy marketplace where everyone presents their false goods under the name of truth.
Awakening of Modern Humanity
The text refers to the transformation of human consciousness in the modern era, which, due to experiencing the misguidance resulting from blind imitation, has turned to a more careful examination of religious claims. This awakening calls the seeker to investigation and insight, as though it were a lamp illuminating the path of truth in the darkness of misguidance.
Key Point: Modern human consciousness, as a result of past misguidances, invites the seeker to investigate and gain insight when embracing religion.
Obedience as Human Nature
Humans are naturally created for obedience; however, this obedience must stem from a reliable source. The discourse compares humanity to a sheep created for the obedience of God, yet this sheep must, with mindfulness, distinguish the true shepherd from others.
The Danger of Self-Abandonment
The text compares excessive self-abandonment and simplicity to "hollowness," which leads the seeker to misguidance and weakness. In contrast, a conscious attachment to truth is liberating. The seeker must, with mindfulness, become enamoured with the truth, much like a lover who only surrenders their heart after recognising the beloved.
Key Point: Self-abandonment and simplicity lead the seeker astray, while a conscious attachment to truth brings liberation.
Section 6: Verses and Hadiths on Humility
Verse of Furqan
The noble verse "إِن تَتَّقُوا اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّكُمْ فُرْقَانًا" (Surah Al-Anfal, 29, Translation by Fouladwand: "If you fear God, He will give you [the power of] Furqan") emphasises the role of piety in attaining Furqan (the ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood). This Furqan is the result of sincere obedience to the true religion after certainty.
Verse of Bayyina
The noble verse "قُلْ إِنِّي عَلَىٰ بَيِّنَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّي" (Surah Al-An'am, 57, Translation by Fouladwand: "Say, 'Indeed, I am upon clear evidence from my Lord'") contrasts clear evidence with deceptive doubts and invites the seeker to search for clear divine proof.
Hadith of Knowledge and Action
The noble hadith "مَنْ عَمِلَ بِمَا عَلِمَ وَرَّثَهُ اللَّهُ عِلْمَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ" stresses the importance of acting upon one's knowledge in acquiring divine knowledge. Through sincere action based on what one knows, the seeker gains light and divine wisdom, yet this action must be based on certainty in the source.
Key Point: The verses and hadiths emphasise the role of piety, insight, and acting upon knowledge in attaining the light of the heart and discovering the truth.
Section 7: Conclusion
The chapter on humility in "Maqamat al-S'irn" emphasises the roles of reason, insight, and perseverance in embracing the true religion, inviting the seeker to conscious obedience. Humility before the divine commands is only valuable after certainty in the legitimate source (revelation and the infallibles). The discourse strongly critiques blind imitation, considering it the cause of misguidance and religious chaos. The Qur'anic verses and hadiths stress the necessity of piety, insight, and acting upon knowledge in acquiring Furqan and the light of the heart. The seeker must, with mindfulness and investigation, avoid self-abandonment and turn towards a conscious attachment to the truth. With sincere oversight, Sadegh Khadami
