The Stations of the Wayfarers: The Station of Disengagement

Introduction

The station of disengagement (Tajreed) is a gateway to the realm of annihilation (Fanaa) and nearness to God. It liberates the wayfarer from the attachments of both this world and the hereafter. This station is akin to a bridge, guiding the traveler from the bonds of the physical realm towards the transcendent truth, where nothing remains but the Divine. In his lecture of session 632, Nekounam, in a profound and mystical manner, elucidates the concept of Tajreed, its position in the spiritual journey, and its relationship with the verses of the Quran.

Part One: The Concept of Tajreed and Its Place in the Mystical Journey

True Disengagement and the Removal of the Shoes

Tajreed refers to the complete disengagement from the attachments of both the material and the spiritual worlds. This station is like the shedding of a garment, liberating the wayfarer from duality and otherness, leading them towards unity with the Divine. In the Quran, Surah Taha, verse 12, this profound truth is beautifully articulated:

"فَاخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ إِنَّكَ بِالْوَادِ الْمُقَدَّسِ طُوًى" *(: "So remove your shoes, for you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa.")*

The removal of the shoes (Khal al-Nulayn) is a mystical metaphor for liberation from the existential determinations and otherness. The shoes symbolize duality and attachment to the created order (the two worlds), and removing them marks the beginning of the spiritual journey towards annihilation (Fanaa) and unity with the Divine. This process is akin to the freedom of a bird released from the cage of nature, soaring towards the sky of truth.

Key Insight: Disengagement is the process of detachment from both worlds, and it begins with the symbolic act of removing the shoes, representing freedom from otherness and the material realm.

Critique of Superficial Interpretations

Certain shallow interpretations, such as the view of 'Ikrimah who linked the shoes of Prophet Musa (a.s.) to the skin of a donkey's carcass, are utterly rejected. Such statements, rooted in misguided intentions, are incompatible with the purity and infallibility of the Prophets. Shiite mysticism is founded on the purity and dignity of the Prophets, and any interpretation that undermines this principle is flawed and unreliable. This critique acts as a sharp blade, cutting through the veils of ignorance and revealing the authentic mystical truth. Such interpretations are an attempt to tarnish the pure image of the Prophets and are in direct contradiction with Divine wisdom and Shiite mysticism.

Critical Note: The critique of superficial interpretations highlights the importance of upholding the purity and dignity of the Prophets in Shiite mysticism, emphasizing that misguided interpretations detract from this sacred truth.

Summary of Part One

Tajreed is a station that liberates the wayfarer from the attachments of both worlds and, through the act of removing the shoes, guides them towards unity with the Divine. This station, manifest in the verse "فَاخْلَعْ نَعْلَيْكَ", marks the beginning of the journey of annihilation and is emphasized through the critique of superficial interpretations. Tajreed is a key that unlocks the bonds of the material world and leads the traveler towards the light of truth.

Part Two: The Qur'anic and Mystical Context of Tajreed

Surah Taha and Its Role in Defining Tajreed

Surah Taha is one of the most profound and weighty surahs of the Quran, encompassing concepts such as stability (istiqama), the Divine names (Asma al-Husna), the creation of the heavens, and the concept of suffering (tasfiyah). This surah is like a deep ocean, presenting the story of Prophet Musa (a.s.) as the embodiment of the revelation of truth after traversing the higher levels of Quranic knowledge. The initial verses of this surah, with references to "Taha" and "We did not send down the Quran upon you to cause distress" (Taha 1-2), emphasize that the Quran was not sent for hardship, but for guidance and liberation. This context serves as a beacon, illuminating the path of nearness to the Divine and guiding the wayfarer towards the transcendent truth.

Key Insight: Surah Taha, with its profound concepts of stability and the Divine names, provides the framework for the revelation of truth in the story of Musa (a.s.), depicting Tajreed as the gateway to annihilation.

The Mystical Message of the Verse for the Wayfarer

Allah guided Prophet Musa (a.s.) towards the fire, but revealed His own essence to him. This symbolic act is like a celestial melody, showing that the Divine reveals itself to the true seeker, not through direct search, but through the trials of life and the path of disengagement. Pursuing the Divine without annihilation is akin to running towards a mirage that can never be reached. However, when the wayfarer detaches from worldly attachments, the Divine truth emerges within their heart.

Summary of the Second Section

Surah Taha, with its profound tone, introduces tajreed (spiritual stripping) as a gateway to fana (annihilation in God). The story of Prophet Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, reflects the unveiling of truth, which is attained through liberation from attachments and the removal of one's sandals. This section, like a mirror, reflects the light of truth behind the veils of the corporeal world.

Section 3: The Process of Tajreed and the Role of Bala (Trials)

Tajreed as a Gradual Process

Tajreed, in the form of tafail (intensive verb form), is a gradual and arduous process that progressively frees the seeker from external determinations. This process is akin to surgery, in which, with precision and pain, the rust of separateness is removed from the seekers being. The example of tooth extraction, where pain is gradually endured, beautifully illustrates this truth. The seeker must gradually detach from knowledge, ignorance, the ego, and even acts of worship to attain the state of fana.

Key Point: Tajreed is a gradual and painful process that gradually frees the seeker from external determinations, guiding them towards fana.

Bala (Trials) as a Means of Tajreed

Bala, like a furnace, purifies the seeker through the fire of trials, stripping them of external attachments. Imam (may his soul rest in peace) viewed himself as the bearer of a bowl of poison, a result of ninety years of trial and gradual tajreed. This bala is like rain that washes the soil of ones existence, preparing it for the growth of truth. The friends of God, through enduring bala, attain positions where they can bear the bowl of poison.

Summary of Section 3

Tajreed is a gradual process that is accompanied by bala and suffering. This process liberates the seeker from external determinations, guiding them towards fana and divine closeness. Bala acts as a polishing tool, purifying the seekers being from the rust of separateness.

Section 4: Detachment from the Two Realms and Separation from the Witnesses

Detachment from the Two Realms

Human beings are the fallen divine essence, trapped in the realms of spirit and body. True tajreed involves a complete detachment from both this world and the Hereafter, such that the seeker is freed from all external determinations and attains baqa' billah (eternity with God). This process is akin to an ascent from the depths of the material world to the heights of truth, beginning with the removal of the sandals and culminating in the liberation from all forms of nature.

Key Point: True tajreed is the complete detachment from the attachments of this world and the Hereafter, guiding the seeker from the material realm towards the transcendent truth.

Separation from the Witnesses of the Witnessed

In the state of tajreed, the seeker is freed from the witnesses of the witnessed, meaning anything that is not God. The seeker no longer perceives knowledge, ignorance, the ego, or even worship. This detachment is like the vanishing of shadows in the sunlight of divine truth, bringing the seeker to the station of "Indeed, my prayers, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." In this state, the seekers entire being is absorbed in God, and nothing remains but the singular truth.

Summary of Section 4

Detachment from the two realms and separation from the witnesses leads the seeker towards complete annihilation. This process is akin to a journey from the darkness of the material world to the light of unity, where the seeker abandons all forms of attachment and merges with the ultimate truth.

Section 5: Witnessing the Divine and the Compassion of the Saints

Witnessing with the Purified Eye

The external eye, which is tainted by matter and nature, is incapable of perceiving the Divine. However, through tajreed, the body transforms into spirit, and the seeker, with the same eye, witnesses the truth. This witnessing is like the opening of a window, through which the light of truth shines upon the heart of the seeker. In this state, the seeker perceives all creation in God and moves beyond mere creation to the truth.

With tajreed, the seekers body transforms into spirit, and with the purified eye, they witness the truth of God.

The Compassion of the Saints for the People of the World

The saints of God, witnessing the suffering and struggles of the people of the world for material pursuits, feel compassion for them. This compassion is like rain falling from the pure hearts of the saints upon creation, as they have freed themselves from worldly attachments and entrusted their hearts to the truth. This mercy reflects the depth of the saints knowledge and their liberation from the bonds of the material world.

Summary of Section 5

Witnessing the Divine with the purified eye and the compassion of the saints towards the people of the world are two facets of the station of tajreed. At this station, the seeker, liberated from material attachments, is united with the truth and, with a merciful heart, guides creation towards the light.

Section 6: Divine Choice and the Station of Prophethood

The Divine Choice of Musa (Moses), Peace Be Upon Him

The Quran, in Surah Taha, verse 13, says:

إِنِّي اخْتَرْتُكَ فَاسْتَمِعْ لِمَا يُوحَى

This choice indicates that the station of Prophethood is a result of spiritual journeying and potential, not an eternal matter. Unlike the infallible Imams, who have a pre-existent and pre-creation status, the Prophethood of Musa (Moses), peace be upon him, was shaped within the framework of multiplicity and divine choice. This selection is like choosing a precious gem, which, after being polished in the furnace of trial, shines with the light of Prophethood.

The divine choice of Musa in the station of Prophethood is a result of spiritual journeying and potential, emerging within the realm of divine multiplicity.

Space and Time as Divine Manifestations

Contrary to the philosophical view that treats space and time as equal, mysticism considers them as distinct manifestations of the Divine Names. The sacred valley of Tuwa and the right side of the Mount are each distinct with their own special ranks. This distinction is akin to different colors in the canvas of creation, each displaying a reflection of the divine names. The supplication of Samat also emphasizes this truth, that spaces and times are divine manifestations, each having a special place in the spiritual journey.

Summary of Section 6

The divine choice in the selection of Musa and the distinction of spaces and times as divine manifestations are two aspects of the station of tajreed. This station leads the seeker towards understanding the truth in the context of divine choice and manifestations.

Final Conclusion

The station of tajreed is like a lofty peak in spiritual journeying, which frees the seeker from material attachments and duality, guiding them towards unity with the Divine. The Quranic verses, such as "Remove your sandals" and "Indeed, I have chosen you," elucidate the fact that tajreed is a gradual and painful process, accompanied by trials and detachment from the witnesses of the witnessed. The saints of God, through enduring trials and detaching from both realms, attain the vision of the Divine and, through their compassion, guide creation towards the truth. This station is not only the gateway to *fana*, but also a mirror that reflects the light of truth in the seekers heart.