Adapted from the Lectures of Nekounam, May His Soul Rest in Peace (Lecture 633)
The باب التجرید (The Gate of Disengagement) in the noble work Maqamat al-Sa'irin by Khwajah Abdullah Ansari, represents an elevated and profound stage in mystical progression that guides the seeker from multiplicity towards unity. This station, akin to a vast, unfathomable ocean, beckons the mystic to cast off all human attributes and distinctions, thereby arriving at a point where only the supreme truth of God remains visible. The state of تجرید (disengagement), like a well-polished mirror, purifies the soul from anything other than the divine essence, guiding it to the pure vision of God's presence.
Definition of Disengagement: The Detachment of the Soul from the Non-Divine
In mystical terminology, تجرید refers to the souls liberation from all that is not God, including the self, the other, the path, and the destination. In this state, the mystic is not only freed from material and emotional attachments but also from the awareness of their own existence. This detachment, much like a bird freed from the cage of definitional constraints, directs the mystic toward the boundless horizon of divine unity. In this state, only the supreme truth remains, and the mystic realises that "God is the only truth." This station is one where the mystic is freed from any duality or multiplicity, attaining pure unity.
Key Insight: Disengagement is a state where the mystic neither perceives themselves, nor the other, nor the path, nor the destination. In this state, only God remains, and the mystic attains the pure vision of the divine essence.
Disengagement as the Vessel for Divine Vision
Disengagement functions as a vessel, preparing the mystic for the direct vision of divine truth. In this state, the perception of God is not through sensory faculties but through the heart's eye, attained by shedding all definitional distinctions. The mystic, like a star shining in a cloudless sky, witnesses God as the absolute truth. This vision is not based on superficial sensory perceptions but is a direct spiritual witnessing, emerging from the purity of the soul and disengagement from anything non-divine. At this point, the mystic perceives only God, regarding all appearances as manifestations of the divine.
Stage One: Disengagement from Acquisition
At the first stage of disengagement, the mystic is detached from the acquisition of deeds, i.e., the attribution of actions to the self. They come to realise that no action emanates from them; all actions stem from God. This stage is akin to liberation from the illusion of agency. The mystic, who previously believed their actions were due to their own will and power, now recognises their error and seeks forgiveness, repenting from this illusion of selfhood. The recitation of "استغفر الله ربّ العالمين" (I ask forgiveness from God, the Lord of all worlds) in this stage signifies the abandonment of the claim to agency and a return to the truth of divine unity.
Even phrases such as "بِحَوْلِ اللَّهِ وَقُوَّتِهِ أَقُومُ وَأَقْعُدُ" (By the power of God, I rise and sit) still contain a subtle suggestion of polytheism, as the pronoun "I" is implicitly present. The mystic, at this stage, understands that their rising and sitting would not be possible if the earth were not stable, recognising that this realisation leads them toward the unity of God.
Stage Two: Disengagement from Knowledge
At the second stage, the mystic detaches from knowledge itself. They come to understand that true knowledge belongs only to God, and anything they possess is merely a manifestation and gift from the divine. The recitation of "لا علم إلا الله" (There is no knowledge except God) in this stage marks the liberation from the claim to knowledge, acknowledging that knowledge originates solely from the divine. This stage is akin to cleansing a dusty mirror, wherein the mystic is liberated from the accumulated residues of worldly knowledge. They no longer rely on their own knowledge but instead trust entirely in divine wisdom.
Stage Three: Disengagement from Disengagement
The highest stage of disengagement is the detachment from the very concept of disengagement. At this stage, the mystic even releases themselves from the awareness of their own disengagement. The very perception of disengagement signals the persistence of the ego, for the mystic still identifies themselves as the doer of disengagement. At this stage, the mystic is like a drop that vanishes into the ocean of divine essence, liberated from all self-awareness and perceptions of disengagement. In this state, there remains neither knowledge nor ignorance, nor deficiency nor perfection; the mystic reaches the ultimate annihilation (فنای محض) and the continuity of God (بقاء به حق).
Key Insight: At the third stage of disengagement, the mystic is released even from the awareness of their own disengagement. This state represents the highest form of annihilation, where no agent or recipient of action remains, and only God remains as the witness and the witnessed.
The Progression of Monotheistic Stages
Monotheism in disengagement is characterised by three distinct stages, each drawing the mystic closer to the essence of divine unity:
The phrase "لاَ إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ" (There is no god but God) holds a unique weight both in its literal and spiritual meaning. It is a phrase that must be recited with spiritual preparation, accompanied by other invocations such as seeking forgiveness, blessings, and glorifications, in order to correctly capture its essence. The pronunciation of this phrase requires rhythm and contemplation, ensuring that the mystic's heart is opened to its true meaning.
Separation from Attachments and Identifications
The mystic, in the state of disengagement, seeks separation from all worldly attachmentslands, companions, and possessions. Like a traveller without a homeland, the mystic is freed from anything that draws them into multiplicity. Separation and attachment have no place in their heart, for the heart dedicated to God no longer clings to anything else. This separation is like a kite that, freed from earthly constraints, soars in the infinite sky of truth.
The Simplicity and Peace of God's Saints
The saints of God, in the state of disengagement, detach from all identifications even before their physical death. This detachment is akin to shedding a worn-out garment before entering the tomb. Their simplicity in life, like a pure spring, brings inner peace. The mystic lives in a simple cloak that serves for prayer, warmth, and rest, a life starkly contrasting the opulent lives of worldly individuals. This simplicity shines as a light that dispels the darkness of attachment.
Formal Knowledge versus Collective Knowledge
Formal knowledge, acquired through effort and intellectual pursuit, is of a lower station compared to collective knowledge, which originates from God. Formal knowledge is like a shadow that fades before the light of truth. In contrast, collective knowledge is boundless, encompassing the mystic with divine insight and leading them to the station of "the one who knows by God." This knowledge does not stem from written pages but is a divine gift.
In mystical terminology, "perception" refers to a lower state, while "degree" denotes higher spiritual stations. Formal knowledge is akin to perception, while collective knowledge, which emanates from God, surpasses it in all ways. At this stage, the mystic relinquishes any claim to personal knowledge, relying solely on divine wisdom.
Annihilation in God: The Witness and the Witnessed
At the final stage of disengagement, the mystic reaches absolute annihilation, a state where God is both the witness and the witnessed. This state is akin to being carried by the current of a river, where the mystic offers no resistance but surrenders to God's will. In this state, there is no agent or recipient of action; the mystic is like a perfectly clear mirror, reflecting only the divine truth, vanishing from existence.
Key Insight: In absolute annihilation, God alone remains as the witness and the witnessed. The mystic, like a drop merging with the ocean, is liberated from all identification and self-awareness, leaving only the eternal truth of God.
The Difference Between the Mystic and Others
On the surface, the mystic appears no different from others; they live, marry, and engage in daily activities. However, the difference lies in their intention and the container of their actions. The mystic performs all their actions in alignment with God's will, while others act ir own desires. This distinction is like the difference between two travellers: one journeys on the path of truth, while the other wanders in the realm of ego.
The gate of disengagement serves as a bridge, guiding the mystic from multiplicity to unity and from selfhood to God. In this path, the mystic is liberated from acquisition, knowledge, and even the very experience of disengagement, ultimately reaching absolute annihilation and continuity in God. This station is only attainable by those who, through divine grace, have surrendered their entire being to God. Disengagement is a journey where the mystic sheds all worldly burdens and soars in the sky of divine truth. It is not only a mystical experience but an existential transformation that unites the mystic with the divine essence.
With the sincere oversight of the servant of the truth, Sadeq Khademi.
