Taken from the Lectures of , May His Sacred Soul Rest in Peace (Session 627)
Introduction: An Overview of the Station of Tablis
In the realm of Islamic mysticism, the station of Tablis acts as a subtle veil of divine wisdom, concealing the truth within the forms of creation, ensuring that creation is protected from bewilderment and disturbance. This station, which holds a significant place in the "Maqamat al-Sa'irin" of Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, invites the seeker to conceal the manifestations of the Divine and spiritual blessings from the view of ordinary eyes and incomplete intellects. In his 627th lecture, , May His Sacred Soul Rest in Peace, provides an in-depth explanation of the second station of Tablis, elucidating the role of the seeker in guiding creation and maintaining their collective unity through refined metaphors and Qur'anic references. Tablis, as a divine mercy for those veiled by material means, directs the seeker to hide moments of grace and blessings, while not losing sight of their true monotheistic essence.
Section One: The Nature of Tablis and Its Stations
First Station: Tablis of the Divine Over the Servants
Tablis, in its initial stage, is like a veil that the Divine casts over His actions, attributing them to creation. As outlined in the lectures, God Himself performs all actions, yet He tells creation: "It is others who do it." This Tablis of the Divine over the servants is a manifestation of divine wisdom, allowing those veiled from understanding the truth to interact with divine actions through external forms. The seeker, in this station, reaches perfection by accepting this Tablis, as though harmonising with divine wisdom and using the language of creation to convey the truth. The seeker in this station is like a mirror that accepts the reflection of the Divine light and, instead of declaring, "God is working," says, "Creation has done it," for God Himself has decreed it so. This acceptance is not born of ignorance, but from alignment with divine will, which keeps creation veiled by material means.
Tablis of the Divine over the servants is the attribution of divine actions to creation, where the seeker, by accepting it, aligns with divine wisdom and uses the language of creation to express the truth.
Second Station: Tablis of the Seeker over Creation
In the second station of Tablis, which is the focus of this lecture, the seeker covers his inner truth with a veil, concealing his divine manifestations and spiritual blessings from creation. The seeker, who possesses divine revelations and spiritual graces, adopts an appearance similar to creation and lives among the people as one of them. This Tablis is not the result of weakness or egotism, but rather a form of selflessness that guards the divine truth as though it were a sacred trust. The seeker, in this station, is like a pearl hidden within the shell of creation, kept safe from the eyes of ordinary people and imperfect intellects. By hiding his moments of grace and blessings, he avoids self-display and prevents creating envy or longing in others, leaving creation to proceed with its natural course.
The Tablis of the seeker in the second station involves concealing moments of grace and blessings from creation, carried out with selflessness to guide and preserve the unity of creation.
Section Two: The Tablis of Selflessness and Concealment of Moments and Blessings
Selflessness and the Preservation of Moments
The selflessness of the seeker is akin to a sacred devotion to the divine truth, as though the inner truth of the seeker is a trust deposited by the Divine, and he is entrusted with safeguarding it from the reach of others. Moments, which are the divine manifestations granted to the seeker, are like strands of light that fill his heart, yet the seeker does not reveal these nocturnal experiences in the day. As the lecture explains, "The Divine is like a sacred trust; the one with selflessness never exposes their heart." This concealment of moments is not due to stinginess or egotism, but is motivated by two reasons: first, to protect the manifestations from disturbance or alteration, as these moments are a gift from God to the seeker, not meant for public display; second, to prevent envy or unnecessary sorrow in others, so that creation may remain on its natural path and the harmony of the material world remains intact.
The selflessness of the seeker preserves divine moments and manifestations like a sacred trust, refraining from revealing them to protect both the seeker and creation from disturbance or envy.
The Concealment of Miracles and Its Distinction from Moments
Miracles, which are the spiritual abilities of the seeker, differ from moments. Moments are a direct gift from the Divine, while miracles are attained through the seekers spiritual journey and can be shared with others. However, the seeker also conceals his miracles, as these abilities too are part of the divine trust and must remain hidden from the eyes of ordinary people. The lecture draws this distinction by stating, "Moments are those given by God; miracles are those the seeker has attained." The concealment of miracles prevents spiritual arrogance and disruption to creation. By hiding his miracles, the seeker not only protects his own self from self-display, but also keeps creation safe from misplaced longing and unnecessary envy. He lives among creation with an ordinary appearance, so that the external order of society is not disturbed.
Miracles, the spiritual abilities of the seeker, are concealed to prevent spiritual arrogance and disturbance in creation, while moments are direct divine manifestations.
Section Three: Tablis with Means and Evidences
Suspension of External Forms to Evidences
In the station of Tablis, the seeker expresses his inner truths through external means and evidence, as though the truth is dressed in a form familiar to creation. The lecture describes this method by stating: "Now, when something is seen, the seeker seeks its verse and explains it through the verse, saying, 'God has said this.'" This suspension of external forms to evidence is intended for ordinary eyes and imperfect intellects, which are incapable of comprehending the inner truth. Through this approach, the seeker, like a wise teacher, presents the truth in a form that creation can understand, without leading them into bewilderment or misguidance. By referring to verses and narrations, the seeker hides his innermost self, only presenting an outward, guiding form to creation.
The seeker uses external forms and evidences to present inner truths, guiding creation without leading them into confusion or misdirection.
Similarity of Appearance with Creation
The traveller (Slik), in the station of Talfs (disguise), assumes an appearance similar to that of ordinary people, engaging in worldly activities and business, even though he has no need for such things. The lesson expounds this notion: "When morning comes, he sets out to work, although he has no need for work." This apparent similarity is akin to a garment that the Slik dons in order to blend in with others, so that people regard him as one of them, keeping him safe from undue longing or misplaced desire.
This act not only conceals the inner state of the Slik from ordinary eyes but also enables him to interact with others on the surface level without disturbing the societal order. By adopting this disguise, the Slik, like the prophets and saints, appears in human form to guide the people.
Key Point: Through the outward similarity to creation, the Slik conceals his inner essence and preserves the external order of society, ensuring that people are free from unnecessary yearning or distress.
Summary of Section Three
Talfs, through instruments and evidence, is a wise method employed by the Slik to guide others. By suspending outward appearances in line with scriptures and reports, and adopting an appearance similar to that of ordinary people, he hides his inner truth while allowing the people to continue in their natural course. This Talfs is an expression of divine wisdom in guiding those who are veiled.
Section Four: Talfs as Divine Mercy
Guiding Creation Through Talfs
The Talfs of the Slik is a divine mercy for those who are veiled by materialistic causes, as if he is a bridge leading the people from the valley of division toward guidance. The lesson articulates: "This group is the mercy of Allah, Exalted is He, for those veiled by division and material causes." Through Talfs, the Slik protects the people from misguidance and confusion, guiding them to salvation by virtue of his companionship.
The Quran in Surah An-Nisa states:
"And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those whom Allah has blessed, among the Prophets, the sincere, the martyrs, and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions."
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:69, )
This verse emphasizes the blessing of companionship with the saints and Sliks, whose Talfs guides people toward salvation and divine guidance.
Key Point: The Talfs of the Slik is a divine mercy that guides the veiled creation to salvation through the guidance and blessing of his companionship.
Distinction Between Talfs and Deceptive Tricks
The Talfs of the Slik, in contrast to deceptive tricks, is guiding and does not lead people astray. The lesson elaborates this distinction: "He disguises himself but does not mislead, he guides." Unlike false mystics who use tricks to misguide people, the Slik, through Talfs, presents the truth in a form that is comprehensible to ordinary people, guiding them towards the ultimate reality.
This distinction highlights the purity of the Slik's intention in his Talfs act. Even if he keeps people in a state of bewilderment about the truth, he never diverts them from the path of righteousness but instead clears the way for their guidance.
Key Point: The Talfs of the Slik is guiding and leads people towards the truth without misleading them, unlike deceptive tricks.
Summary of Section Four
Talfs, as a divine mercy, protects the veiled creation from confusion and misguidance, leading them to guidance and salvation. This station, in contrast to deceptive tricks, underscores the purity of the Slik's intention and his mystical wisdom, guiding people naturally towards the truth.
Section Five: Correcting the Research and Critique of the Commentator
Correcting the Research in Talfs
In the station of Talfs, the Slik corrects his research in three domains: belief, conduct, and vision. It is as though he strengthens his bond with the divine at each stage. The lesson conveys: "With the correction of the research in belief, conduct, and vision." Belief forms the theoretical foundation of the conduct; the conduct is the practical path; and vision represents the stage of perceiving the truth. Throughout these stages, the Slik lives with the truth and sees the divine presence in all things.
This correction is akin to fortifying the edifice of unity, which protects the Slik from any deviations of the soul and keeps him steadfast on the path of truth. Just as the Slik believes in the truth, he walks towards it and perceives it directly.
Key Point: In Talfs, the Slik corrects his research in belief, conduct, and vision, strengthening his bond with the truth at each stage.
Critique of the Commentator and Defense of the Text
The lesson critiques the commentator's interpretation, which views Talfs as an act of weakness and self-centeredness. The commentator portrays Talfs as a means of preserving solitude and avoiding the disturbance of others. However, the original text emphasizes that the Slik engages in Talfs not out of weakness or isolation but to preserve the collective wellbeing and guide others. The lesson states: "The text is correct, but the commentator presents a self-centered, weak, isolated mystic."
In the station of Talfs, the Slik is like a sage who considers the welfare of others and, with the permission of the divine, veils the truth. He does not shy away from the presence of others but is a guide to them, maintaining the external order of society.
Key Point: The text defends Talfs as a guiding act for the benefit of others, contrasting it with the commentators flawed interpretation that associates it with weakness and isolation.
Summary of Section Five
The correction of research in Talfs leads the Slik to strengthen his connection with the divine in belief, conduct, and vision. The critique of the commentator highlights the importance of understanding the true purpose of Talfs, which is not born from weakness but from wisdom and purity, guiding the creation while preserving the external order.
General Conclusion
The chapter on Talfs in the Maqamat al-S'irn serves as a radiant jewel, depicting the Slik's mystical wisdom in concealing the truth to guide creation. This station, which involves concealing moments and miracles and suspending outward appearances, calls the Slik to preserve the divine trust and guide the veiled souls. Talfs is a divine mercy that shields the people from confusion and distress, guiding them to salvation through the blessing of the Sliks companionship. The distinction between Talfs and deceptive tricks emphasizes the purity of the Slik's intentions, and the critique of the commentator clarifies the true essence of this station. This work, with its refined and scholarly style, serves as an attempt to present this noble station, leading seekers of knowledge and researchers of mysticism to a deeper understanding of Talfs.
