the Lectures of Nokounam, (Session 382)
Within the vast realm of Islamic mysticism, Manzil al-S'irn by Khwajah Abdullah Ansari shines forth as an illuminating beacon, unveiling the path for the seekers towards ultimate Reality. Among its stages, Qasdas the inaugural station from the category of the Roots (Qism al-Ul)serves as a steadfast root that firmly establishes the foundation of spiritual progress. This station, defined by pure intention and resolute volition, guides the seeker from the whirlpool of doubt, procrastination, and carnal desires towards the shore of Divine Unity and rigorous spiritual discipline. The present lecture, derived from the profound discourses of Nokounam , explores the concept of Qasd, its components (the agent, the path, and the goal), and its pivotal role in the purification of the self and distancing from un-divine motives.
In the mystical perspective, Qasd denotes a steadfast volition characterised by three foundational components: the agent, the path, and the ultimate goal. The agent is the seeker who, with unwavering determination, sets foot upon the path of Truth; the path represents the spiritual journey directing the agent towards the intended goal; and the goal itself is the Divine destination towards which all of the seekers actions are oriented. This firm intention, akin to a steel pillar, prevents spiritual wavering and desire-driven instability, guiding the seeker towards an exalted objective. Within the Sharah, this concept is vividly embodied in the intention of prayer, wherein the seeker, uttering the phrase Allhu Akbar, solemnly pledges to remain free from doubt and deviation until the completion of the act.
This Qurnic verse underscores the centrality of sincerity in intention, illustrating that Qasd is intrinsically an act performed solely for Divine pleasure, free from any unholy taint.
Many of human actions remain mere whims due to the absence of pure intention. Caprice, like a transient breeze, is unstable and vacillating, leading man toward an uncertain destination. Conversely, Qasd is comparable to a deeply rooted tree, steadfast against the storms of the selfs impulses. A person driven by caprice, upon encountering any obstacle, turns away from their goal; whereas a seeker walking with Qasd remains unperturbed even amid temptations and threats, never straying from the path. This distinction becomes manifest in mystical practice and religious acts such as the intention in prayer. The seeker, with pure intention, commits to an action performed solely for the pleasure of God.
This Qurnic injunction emphasises the necessity of pure intention in acts and excludes caprice from the realm of Divine worship.
Qasd engenders an inner impetus that propels the seeker towards spiritual discipline and self-purification. This momentum eradicates hesitation and procrastination from the seekers being, generating an ironclad will. Doubt, like a lethal poison, debilitates resolve and obstructs the seekers arrival at the destination. Conversely, the seeker advancing with firm intention is immune to ambiguities and whispers of doubt, treading the path with resolute determination. Such firmness manifests in religious obligationsfor instance, adherence to completing the prayerand in mystical striving through unwavering focus on the Divine goal.
This verse censures doubt and stresses the necessity of firmness in faith and intention.
Qasd acts as a firm bridge, guiding the seeker toward practical monotheism. The monotheistic seeker, with sincere intention, liberates themselves from attachment to wealth, power, or threats, orienting their heart solely towards the Truth. Such steadfastness safeguards them against material temptations and external intimidations. The mystic poet thus declares:
When one lays at his feet a heap of gold or brandishes a Hind sword above his head, there is neither fear nor doubt from anyone.
This couplet exemplifies a resolve that refuses to surrender before anything but God, thereby fortifying the foundation of Divine Unity.
This verse enshrines sincerity in action as the cornerstone of Divine Unity.
Within Islamic law, the intention at prayer exemplifies Qasd in its purest form. Upon uttering Allhu Akbar to enter prayer, the seeker makes a sacred covenant to maintain this resolve, except in cases of extraordinary necessity such as mortal danger. This intention, accompanied by proximity to God and sincerity, generates a commitment to complete the act, shielding the seeker from instability and deviation. Such firmness also reflects the mystical path, wherein the seeker moves with pure intention toward the Divine goal, shunning unholy desires.
This Qurnic exhortation highlights the significance of firmness in action and adherence to intention.
The lecture of Nokounam offers a critical examination of the past conditions of the seminaries in Qom, pinpointing a deficiency of Qasd among certain students. Poverty and financial pressures deterred many students from continuing their studies, diverting them towards preaching or other occupations. This weakness impeded the cultivation of distinguished scholars and left the seminaries bereft of gifted minds. Notables such as q Rez Qomshh, Asd Ab al-asan Qazvn, and the late Sharn, despite possessing firm intention, emigrated due to hardships, a phenomenon that contributed to the spread of populism and the decline of scholarly standards.
This critique acts as a clear mirror reflecting the vital importance of steadfast intention in confronting obstacles. Students who faltered under poverty or material temptations lacked the firm Qasd required to persevere. Conversely, scholars like the late Motahhari, despite financial difficulties, attained spiritual and intellectual perfection, demonstrating that Qasd, like a blazing torch, can illuminate the path amid darkness.
This Qurnic verse affirms the reward for perseverance in adversity.
The lecture highlights eminent scholars such as the late q Rez Qomshh, Asd Ab al-asan Qazvn, and the late Sharn as exemplars of firm Qasd. Despite poverty and hardship, they persevered in their studies and teaching with pure intention. For example, q Rez Qomshh, as a child, was enchanted by the divine sciences from behind the door of his teachers philosophy classroom, an indication of a pure seed and illuminated heart directing him toward Truth. Likewise, Asd Ab al-asan Qazvn, despite destitution, was supported by scholars like the late Asd Amad Khwnsr, highlighting the lofty value of Qasd among sincere scholars.
These exemplars shine like stars in the firmament of knowledge, demonstrating the role of spiritual luminosity of the heart and natural aptitude in fortifying Qasd. The noble hadith, Choose your seed carefully, for the lineage is a decisive factor, underscores the importance of a pure seed in the formation of a firm will.
Intention summons the seeker to distance themselves from non-divine aims. Such aims, akin to dust upon the mirror of the heart, destabilise the sincerity of intention and divert the seeker from their principal goal. The seeker who proceeds with a pure intention becomes independent of material temptations such as wealth and status, and their heart inclines solely towards the Truth. This detachment from ulterior aims manifests also in prayer, wherein, by uttering "Allhu Akbar", the seeker purifies their mind from any non-divine purpose and steps towards an act of pure worship.
This Qurnic verse emphasises the ultimate goal of sincere worship and excludes non-divine aims from the path of spiritual progression.
Intention inspires the seeker towards asceticism and self-purification. Asceticism, like a polish upon the iron of resolve, fortifies the intention and liberates the seeker from attachment to the body and carnal desires. The discourse cites scholars who would dedicate countless hours to study, neglecting bodily needs, thus demonstrating how asceticism strengthens resolve and propels the seeker towards perfection. This purification, through focus on the divine objective, cleanses the heart from non-divine aims and enhances its illumination.
This Qurnic verse underscores the role of ascetic struggle in the path of spiritual striving.
Intention depends not solely on acquired effort but also on the luminosity of the heart and innate capacity. A pure seed and lawful sustenance, like fertile soil, constitute the foundation for a resolute will. The discourse references the childhood story of the late Agha Reza Qomshahi, captivated by his philosophy teachers lessons, illustrating how innate capacity draws the heart towards the repository of light. This luminosity distances the seeker from non-divine aims and guides them towards ultimate Truth.
This innate capacity, like a light within the seekers heart, directs them towards the Truth and protects their will from faltering.
The discourse, referring to the concept of innate attraction towards the repository of light, stresses that innate capacity magnetically draws the seeker towards divine illumination. This attraction is the consequence of hearts luminosity and seeds purity, both reinforced by lawful sustenance. The seeker, endowed with such capacity, distances themselves from carnal and corporeal faculties and is propelled towards the divine Truth. This movement flows like a crystalline stream from the source of light towards the boundless ocean of Truth.
The discourse offers a critical view on the depletion of seminaries in Qom from brilliant scholars and eminent jurists. Poverty, social pressures, and weakened intention caused many students to abandon their studies and pursue alternative occupations. This phenomenon led to the proliferation of populism and a decline in the scholarly level of seminaries. Scholars such as Asid Abolhassan Qazvini, the late Sharani, and the late Agha Reza Qomshahi migrated due to hardships, depriving the seminaries of their presence. This migration resembled an early autumnal frost, stripping the branches of knowledge from their blossoms.
This critique highlights the imperative to strengthen intention against obstacles. Scholars who persevered with pure intention illuminated the path for future generations like shining stars. Conversely, those who faltered due to weak intention succumbed to non-divine aims and were deprived of spiritual perfection.
This Qurnic verse emphasises the reward of piety and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Intention, as the foremost station in the Qasam al-Usul within the Manzil al-Sirn, constitutes the foundational pillar of spiritual steadfastness. It guides the seeker away from doubt, desire, and non-divine aims towards divine unity, asceticism, and sincerity. This station, comprising the active agent, path, and goal, engenders a resolute will within the seeker, safeguarding them from instability and carnal weakness. In the Shariah, intention exemplified in prayer creates adherence to the completion of the act. The discourse by Nekounam (may his sanctity be preserved), by critiquing the frailty of intention in the seminaries of Qom, underscores the necessity of firm resolve amid hardships. The luminosity of the heart and innate capacity, akin to a radiant torch, fortify intention and direct the seeker towards the repository of light. This station, like a steadfast bridge, leads the seeker to perfection and divine unity, making them a monotheist whose heart inclines solely towards the Truth.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
