Special Unity (Tawhid Khasa) represents a mystical stage in the Stations of the Seekers (Manazil al-Sa'irin) that liberates the seeker from duality and creation, guiding them towards the direct experience of existence within the eternal and unchanging realm of the Divine. This stage is akin to a door through which the seeker steps towards inner unity and liberation from external multiplicity. In this section, we explore the concepts of the removal of duality (ghayriyyah) and creation (huduth), as well as the witnessing of existence in the presence of the Divine.
Special Unity is defined by the removal of duality (the distinction between the Divine and the created) and creation (the temporality of appearance). In this state, the seeker perceives existence not as fragmented or temporal but within the eternal and unchanging realm of the Divine. As stated by , The removal of duality and creation all things have an eternal realm. This implies that the seeker, transcending the mental constructs of creation and duality, perceives all beings within the realm of Divine permanence, where time, space, and change cease to hold meaning. This experience aligns with the following verse from the Holy Qur'an:
Every being perishes except for His Face. (Qasas: 88, translation by Fouladand: "Every thing perishes except His Face").
This verse emphasizes the transience of everything except the Divine essence, suggesting that the seeker in this station sees nothing but the Face of the Divine within all creation. Key Insight: The removal of duality and creation directs the seeker to witness existence in the eternal realm, where all beings are manifest in the Divine presence in a fixed and unchanging manner. This state is akin to a mirror, in which all reflections are mere manifestations of a single, unified light, and the seeker, freed from duality, perceives existence in its Divine unity.
In Special Unity, the seeker witnesses existence in the presence of the Divine and within the realm of permanence: The seeker sees existence in the presence of God they reach the realm of permanence. This witnessing is akin to being present in a single gathering where all beings are seated together, without change or multiplicity, in the presence of the Divine. This concept aligns with the following verse from the Holy Qur'an:
In a seat of truth, near the Sovereign, the Omnipotent. (Qamar: 55, translation by Fouladand: In a seat of truth near a mighty king).
This verse refers to the station of proximity and permanence, where the seeker is freed from the limitations of the created realm. This witnessing is like gazing upon a river that appears to flow in the external world, but in reality, it is steady and eternal in its true essence.
Section One explored Special Unity from the perspectives of the removal of duality and creation, and the witnessing of existence in the presence of the Divine. These concepts guide the seeker from external multiplicity to inner unity, where they perceive all of existence in the presence of the Divine as though in an eternal gathering.
The abandonment of creation (Esqat Huduth) and knowledge of annihilation (Ilm al-Fana) are two fundamental pillars of Special Unity, guiding the seeker to purify themselves of all that is not Divine and to attain clarity in the knowledge of Divine Unity. This section delves into these concepts and their role in the mystical path.
In Special Unity, the seeker embarks on the path of abandoning creation, purifying their heart from all that is not Divine, so that their being is filled with the light of the Divine: One must walk the path of abandonment of creation the non-Divine must be purified. This process requires active effort from the seeker, as it is stated: You must undertake this task yourself. This purification is akin to peeling away the shell of a walnut, bringing the seeker to the core of Divine unity. This concept aligns with the following verse from the Holy Qur'an:
And whomsoever Allah desires to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. (An'am: 125, translation by Fouladand: Whomsoever Allah desires to guide, He opens their heart to Islam).
This verse indicates the opening of the seekers heart to receive the truth of Divine unity. Key Insight: The abandonment of creation purifies the seekers heart from all that is non-Divine, guiding them towards being filled with the Divine light.
Special Unity is perfected through the knowledge of annihilation (the realization of the transience of all that is not Divine) and purified in the knowledge of Unity (the witnessing of the oneness of existence): This is the Special Unity that is perfected through the knowledge of annihilation and purified in the knowledge of Unity. In this station, the seeker sees all of existence as a single gathering, without multiplicity or fragmentation. This concept is reflected in the following verse from the Holy Qur'an:
And Allah created you and whatever you do. (Saffat: 96, translation by Fouladand: And Allah created you and whatever you do.)
This verse emphasizes the unity of the Divine in all creation. The knowledge of Unity is like a light that dispels the darkness of multiplicity, revealing all of existence as a manifestation of Divine unity.
O tranquil soul, return to your Lord... enter among My servants and enter My Paradise. (Al-Fajr: 27-30, ).
Key point: The unity of the Door of Gathering is the station of divine union, guiding the seeker towards complete unity and placement among the saints of truth.
This attraction is akin to being drawn towards a gathering where nothing but the light of truth and the companions of unity exist.
Whoever seeks honour, all honour belongs to God. (Fatir: 10, ).
Liberation from the corporeal realm is akin to the melting of earth in the furnace of truth, where nothing remains except the divine essence.
God has determined a measure for everything. (At-Talaq: 3, ).
The witnessing of the precedence of Truth guides the seeker from apparent causes to the eternal decree, leading them to comprehend unity in the divine order.
No one knows its interpretation except God and those firmly grounded in knowledge. (Aali Imran: 7, ).
The veiled ones, due to the concealment of causes, are unable to witness unity.
And He is with you wherever you may be. (Al-Hadid: 4, ).
Being with the Divine leads the mystic to witness the divine decrees in the unfolding of the worlds conditions, as if they move under the shadow of the Divines eternal will.
O tranquil soul, return to your Lord... enter among My servants and enter My Paradise. (Al-Fajr: 27-30, ),
eloquently and perfectly elucidate this station. This Quranic expression serves as a beacon, illuminating the path of monotheism and divine union. With sincere oversight by the servant of the truth, Sadek Khadami
