Manāzil al-Sā’irīn 604

Introduction: An Overview of the Station of Disconnection in Mystical Spirituality

The Chapter of Disconnection, as the final boundary of the true realities in the Stations of the Wayfarers, represents a peak that guides the traveller (slik) towards ultimate liberation from the attachments to the worlds of creation (kawnn), both material and spiritual, and towards direct union with the Divine Essence. This station, where the degrees of progression reach their zenith, frees the slik from any attention, hesitation, or concern for other than the Divine, transforming their heart into a sanctuary devoid of anything but God. This writing, relying on the teachings of Nikoanam (may his soul rest in peace) and detailed analyses, delves into the primary degree of this station: the disconnection that is the precondition for union. With scholarly and eloquent language, it explains its dimensions for researchers in Islamic mysticism. In this way, the text acts as a mirror, reflecting the light of liberation from all that is other than God, guiding the traveller towards unity with the Divine.

Section One: The Concept of Disconnection and Its Fundamental Characteristics

Nature of Disconnection: Liberation from All That is Other Than God

In mystical spirituality, disconnection signifies the complete liberation of the slik from all attachments to anything other than God, which manifests in three distinct stagesDisconnection as the Condition for Union, Disconnection from Disconnection, and Disconnection from Union. Unlike other stations whose levels share a common spiritual meaning, the degrees of disconnection are fundamentally distinct in their manifestations, though conceptually unified, all pointing towards liberation from anything other than God. This distinction is analogous to different springs, each flowing from the same source but moving along different paths.

Key Point: The Nature of Disconnection Disconnection is the liberation from all that is other than God, manifesting in three distinct stages. This station is the key that opens the lock of attachments to the worlds of creation, preparing the heart for union with the Divine.

Conceptual Analysis of Disconnection

Despite initial appearances that might suggest a shared verbal meaning across its stages, disconnection possesses a single conceptual essencethe liberation from all that is other than God. However, its manifestations differ across each stage. This distinction reflects the depth and complexity of this station, which guides the slik from both apparent and subtle attachments toward existential unity with the Divine. Disconnection, in this sense, acts like a sword that severs the bonds of attachment to the worlds of creation, inviting the soul to soar in the boundless heavens of Divine reality.

The lecture notes emphasize that disconnection, unlike examples such as "ayn" (which may share verbal similarities like "ayin jryah" and "ayin bkyah"), is conceptually shared, yet the difference in its manifestations makes its stages distinct. This characteristic sets disconnection apart from other mystical states, rendering it the ultimate boundary in the spiritual journey.

Key Point: The Distinction in the Manifestations of Disconnection Although conceptually unified, the degrees of disconnection differ in their manifestations, akin to various springs flowing from a single source but moving along different paths.

Section Two: Disconnection as the Condition for Union and Its Characteristics

Disconnection from the Worlds of Creation: Liberation from the World and the Hereafter

Disconnection as the Condition for Union refers to the complete liberation of the slik from both the worlds of creationnamely, the material world (duny) and the spiritual world (khirah)through three key elements: the removal of attachment to these worlds, cessation of fixation upon them, and liberation from concerns with them. This disconnection is the essential condition for union with the Divine because, until the slik detaches from everything other than God, they cannot achieve unity with the Divine Essence.

Key Point: Disconnection from the Worlds of Creation Disconnection as the condition for union signifies liberation from the worlds of creation, freeing the slik from attachments to both the material and spiritual worlds and preparing their heart for direct communion with the Divine.

The Removal of Attention to the Worlds of Creation: Detachment

The first characteristic of Disconnection as the Condition for Union is the removal of attention to the worlds of creation. The slik, at this station, neither gazes upon the material world nor the hereafter, disregarding them entirely. This cessation of attention stems from the love or consideration of the worlds of creation, for any gaze upon something other than God binds the heart to attachment. The verse "And do not extend your eyes towards that which We have given to certain groups of them (the disbelievers)" (Quran, 15:88) emphasizes the necessity of this detachment.

The slik at this stage is like a bird whose wings have been freed from the bonds of the worlds of creation, soaring towards the heavens of the Divine. This liberation purifies their heart from any subtle form of polytheism (shirk).

Key Point: Removal of Attention to the Worlds of Creation By removing attention to the worlds of creation, the slik is freed from attachment to anything other than God, guiding them towards unity with the Divine, as though they are a mirror in which only the light of the Divine is reflected.

Key Notes: Removal of Attachment to the Two Worlds

The removal of attachment to the two worlds safeguards the will of the seeker from slipping and frees them from the veils of both this world and the Hereafter, as though it is a solid rock in the face of the waves of worldly attachments.

Removal of Indifference to the Two Worlds: Disregard for Good and Evil

The third characteristic of separation in the condition of connection is the removal of indifference to the two worlds. In this state, the seeker is neither concerned with the coming and going of good and evil in the two worlds, nor does he attribute any weight or power to them. This disregard frees his heart from all attachments, bringing him to a pure solitude with the Divine.

The pure heart of the saints is a private chamber where nothing but God has a place. This purity, like a mirror, is free from all tarnish of attachment and only reflects the divine light of Gods essence.

Separation from the Name and Essence of the Servant

In the separation that facilitates connection, even the essence of servitudenamely the name and essence of the servantis removed, for the very existence of servitude can become an obstacle to full connection with the Divine. This separation frees the seeker from ego and otherness, even within the realm of servitude, and leads them to unity with the essence of God. The verse from Surah Al-Kahf, Whoever hopes to meet his Lord, let him do righteous work and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord (18:110), emphasizes the necessity of removing any form of polytheism, even the most subtle type of it.

This liberation is like the disappearance of a shadow in the face of the sunlight, leaving no trace behind. In this state, the seeker has separated not only from the two worlds but also from the self and becomes annihilated in the essence of the Divine.

The Role of Asceticism in Separation

Separation from the two worlds cannot be achieved without continuous asceticism and self-purification. The seeker must gradually reduce their attachment to the worldly desires and ego, until they achieve the negation of otherness and absolute obedience to the divine command. This asceticism trains the heart to become accustomed to the bitterness of separation from what is not the truth, leaving no room for anything other than God.

A critique of social culture, which lacks asceticism, highlights the importance of continuous practice in the spiritual journey. The seeker, in this case, is like a gardener who carefully removes the weeds of worldly attachments from the seed of their being, enabling it to bear fruit under the shadow of the Divine.

The Saints of God and Their Immunity from Fear and Greed

The saints of God, in their state of separation, are immune from fear and greed toward anything other than the Divine, and they cannot be diverted by threats or temptations. This immunity is the result of their complete liberation from the two worlds, which allows them to achieve full connection with the Divine. They respond to even the harm of others with goodness, and their hearts remain free from any form of distress.

This characteristic is like a vessel that has been emptied of everything other than the Divine and is filled solely with the light of God. The example of those who approach the saints with many worldly needs reflects their distance from this state and their entanglement in attachments.

The Pure Heart and Solitude with the Divine

The pure heart of the saints is a secluded chamber where nothing but God has a place. This purity is the result of separation from perception, halting, and indifference to the two worlds, which frees the heart from any attachment and prepares it for connection with the Divine. It is as if this heart is a mirror, polished free from the rust of worldly attachments, only reflecting the beauty of the Divine.

When compared to hearts that break at the slightest discomfort, this illustrates the weakness in relation to worldly attachments and distance from this state. The saints, even in the face of harm, respond with forgiveness and goodness, as if their capacity is limitless.

Separation and Liberation from the Hereafter as the World

The Hereafter, like the world, is a type of attachment that the seeker must separate from in order to achieve connection with the Divine. This liberation frees the heart from attributing weight or value to the good and evil of the Hereafter, leading the seeker to complete indifference toward the two worlds.

This station is like a peak that the seeker reaches after traversing the valleys of attachment, freeing them from all the chains of the two worlds. It is as if they are a bird, freed from the cage of this world and the Hereafter, soaring in the boundless skies of the Divine.

Gradual Self-Development in Separation

Separation requires gradual self-development, where the seeker must slowly accustom themselves to the liberation from otherness. This process begins with worldly desires and progresses to separation from the self and all otherness. The seeker is like a farmer who removes the weeds of worldly attachments from the field of their being, allowing the seed of connection with the Divine to flourish.

This gradual process demonstrates the importance of continuous practice in the spiritual journey, as without it, the heart cannot be freed from attachments. It is as if the seeker, in this path, is like an alchemist who, with patience and asceticism, transforms the base metal of their existence into the gold of connection with the Divine.

Conclusion: The Path of Separation, the Border of Liberation and Union

The Path of Separation in the stages of the seeker, as the final frontier of the realities, guides the seeker toward complete liberation from the two worlds and the achievement of connection with the Divine. The first stage of this state, namely the separation condition for connection, removes perception, halting, and indifference to the two worlds, transforming the heart of the seeker into a clear chamber where nothing but God resides.

The saints of God, in this station, are immune from fear and greed toward anything other than the Divine and possess an unwavering will that does not slip in the face of good or evil. While the forms of separation may differ, their conceptual goal remains the same: liberation from all that is not the Divine. This station, like a peak, is reached by the seeker after traversing the path of asceticism and self-development, freeing them from all attachment.

The teachings of Nekooham, may his soul rest in peace, serve as a guiding light along this path and offer invaluable guidance for researchers in Islamic mysticism.

دسترسی سریع

The Chapter of Disconnection in the Stations of the Wayfarers