In the realm of Islamic mysticism, the station of Tadlees shines like a precious gate along the path of spiritual journey, manifesting the divine truth in the garment of creation. This station, which holds a unique place within the framework of the Maqamat al-Sairn (The Stations of the Seekers), pertains to the process of concealing the transcendent truth within human forms in order to facilitate the communication and guidance of the created beings. Tadlees is not merely a tool for delivering the divine message, but rather a pathway to a deeper understanding of the existential unity between the Divine (Haqq) and creation (Khaliq).
In mystical terminology, Tadlees refers to the covering of the divine truth with the garment of humanity, thereby enabling interaction and guidance for the created beings. In order to communicate with humans, God manifests His transcendent truth in forms that are understandable to the human mind and perception. This process is like a veil, concealing the boundless divine light within a limited and tangible form. As Nokoonam explains, God sends angels or divine truth in human form to deliver His message to creation. This concept is also reflected in the Qur'an:
"And certainly, We have sent messengers before you, among them are those whose stories We have related to you, and among them are those We have not related to you" (Surah Ghafir, 78).
This verse indicates the sending of messengers in human forms, where the celestial reality of the prophets is concealed in a human garment so that it can be bearable and comprehensible to creation.
Prophets and saints, due to their lofty status, are superior to angels; however, this superiority is concealed in their human form to enable their presence among creation and facilitate social interaction. Nokoonam emphasizes that if prophets appeared in their celestial form, they could not walk in marketplaces or sit among the people. This concealment is like a covering that adorns the light of truth with an earthly form, so that creation can benefit from it.
Tadlees serves as a tool for conveying the divine message. Divine truth or angels manifest in human form to deliver God's message to creation. This process acts as a bridge between the sacred realm of Haqq and the earthly world of creation, without which direct communication would not be possible. Nokoonam describes Tadlees as the garment for the divine truth, facilitating the fulfillment of the divine mission.
One of the most prominent examples of Tadlees in the Qur'an can be found in the event of the throwing of dust by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) toward his enemies. This act appears outwardly human, but in reality, it is a divine act manifested through the Prophet:
"And you did not throw when you threw, but it was God who threw" (Surah Al-Anfal, 17).
"And you did not kill them, but it was God who killed them" (Surah Al-Anfal, 17).
These verses beautifully illustrate Tadlees: The outward act of the Prophet (throwing dust) as a witness to the battle refers to the divine truth (the enemies' defeat by God's will). Nokoonam emphasizes that the Haqq (truth) was concealed within the Prophet's being, and through the act of throwing dust, the divine will was fulfilled.
An esoteric question arises in the lecture: Did the Prophet (PBUH) think that he himself threw the dust? The answer lies in the verse And you did not throw when you threw, which indicates that while the Prophet performed the outward act, he was aware of the divine truth behind it. This awareness is a sign of his annihilation in the divine will, where his human action was merely a manifestation of God's will.
Talbs and Tawriyah, while both refer to concealment, differ fundamentally in nature. Tawriyah is a concealment of meaning wherein the apparent meaning hides a deeper, underlying significance. However, Talbs involves the concealment of divine truth within the guise of created forms, occurring in the mystical journey (Sulk). Nikkounam emphasizes that Talbs is more profound than Tawriyah, as it pertains to the manifestation of the divine truth within creation.
Talbs, as a form of Tawriyah, is related to Kinyah (allegory) and Ta'weez (substitution). Kinyah refers to an indirect allusion to the truth through its outward appearance, while Ta'weez involves replacing divine truth with a human form. Nikkounam describes Talbs as an allegory that points to the existence of the worldly form (ma'r) while referring to the divine essence (q'im). Tawriyah, although distinct from allegory, results in a form of concealment which leads to an allusion, where words are expressed in such a way that the listener infers another meaning.
Talbs consists of three distinct stages or degrees, though due to technical issues in the recording of the lecture, these stages were not explained in detail. However, it can be inferred that these stages refer to various levels of the manifestation of divine truth within creation, from the outward to the inward, each holding a unique position within the mystical journey. Nikkounam introduces these stages as a framework for a deeper understanding of Talbs, although the specifics of these stages are somewhat repeated in the subsequent recording (Track 186).
The station of Talbs in the "Maqmt al-S'irn" (Stations of the Seekers) is one of the central milestones in the mystical journey, dealing with the manifestation of divine truth through creation. This station is akin to a mirror reflecting the light of the Divine in human form, allowing creation to benefit from it. Qur'anic verses such as "And you did not throw when you threw" (Qur'an 8:17) and "And you did not kill them, but it was God who killed them" (Qur'an 33:16) beautifully illustrate this concept, where the human action of the Prophet (PBUH) is a manifestation of divine will. The distinction between Talbs and Tawriyah, and its connection to Kinyah and Ta'weez, further reveals the depth of this station. Talbs is not merely a tool for conveying a message; it is a means of understanding the existential unity between the Divine and the created world. This lecture, through its precise and scholarly elucidation, provides invaluable guidance for those seeking knowledge and researchers in the field of mysticism.
Supervised by: Sadiq Khadami
