of Nokounam, may his sanctity remain (Session 396)
Within the journey of mystical progression, the faculty of will shines forth as a luminous beacon, illuminating the path of the seeker towards the supreme goal. This station, following intention and determination, represents a pivotal turning point wherein the seeker is guided from mere resolve and steadfastness towards concrete action and movement. The will is the resolute certainty of the disciple to attain the Truth, whichlike a steadfast chassisfortifies the very foundation of the mystical journey. In this section, supported by references from the Holy Quran and a critique of determinism, will is introduced as one of the fundamental laws underpinning mysticism.
Will constitutes the third station among the principles of mystical progression, succeeding intention (goal-setting) and resolution (steadfastness). It acts as a bridge that connects intention and decision to actual deed. This station guides the seeker from thought and resolve towards tangible fulfilment. The will is the disciples definitive and unwavering determination to reach the ultimate aim and goal; a state in which doubt, hesitation, caprice, and habitual inclinations are effaced from the seekers being, fostering an inner unity propelling movement towards the Truth. This unity acts as a spiritual alchemy, refining the seekers soul towards perfection.
Say, Each one works according to his own disposition; but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way.
(Quran 17:84, )
This verse identifies disposition (shkila) as the innate nature and ontological necessity of every being. The disposition constitutes the instinct and essential reality that shapes the behaviour of each entity. This necessity manifests diversely: as perfection in man, hardness in stone, fragility in wood, and combustibility in fire.
The disposition functions as a blueprint inherent within the creation of every being, guiding its conduct. Yet, this necessity is not deterministic; rather, it is subject to modification, development, and attenuation. Man, through the exertion of will and endeavour, can direct his disposition towards perfectionakin to how water in an old vessel remains cooler because the vessels moisture impedes heat penetration.
Determinism, like a dust settling upon the mirror of truth, has cast a veil of ambiguity over human volition. This beliefpropagated by the caliphs and rulers of the Umayyad and Abbasid dynastiesattributed oppression and injustice to divine will, thereby discouraging endeavour and the exercise of will. This viewpoint, which was even enshrined in the Constitutional Monarchys charter as the divine sanction of monarchy, functioned as an instrument to justify domination and stagnation. Even Ibn Ab al-add, through his praise of the caliph and preference of him over the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), contributed to this distortion.
This determinism acts as a chain binding human will, hindering the seeker from progressing towards the Truth. However, authentic mysticism wholly repudiates determinism, considering will as a radiant torch illuminating the path of spiritual progression.
Certain mystics, suffering from weakness and passivity, embraced determinism and thus deprived themselves of effort and will. This group, sometimes compelled by poverty and backwardness to resort to determinism, steered mysticism towards passivity. Deterministic mysticism resembles a new vessel that has not yet absorbed moisture and thus readily absorbs heat, whereas true mysticism is like an aged vessel whose moist truth repels the heat of desire.
This critique distinguishes passive mysticism from dynamic mysticism. Genuine mysticism regards will as a key unlocking the gates on the path of Truth.
The disciple is a seeker who, through resolute will, directs their entire being towards the Truth. This will functions like an ABS braking system: it does not halt the journey on the path of Truth, but rather, through stability and sincerity, conveys the seeker to their destination. By dispelling doubt, hesitation, caprice, and habit, the disciple attains an inner unity that shields them from instability and improper dissimulation (taqiyya).
This resolve acts like an excavator penetrating the asphalt of the mystical path, fortifying the seeker against slips. The disciple, by fixating their gaze upon their spiritual master, liberates themselves from distractions and the scattering of the nafs (ego).
Ammar Yasir, akin to a luminous star in the celestial firmament of spiritual wayfaring, stands as an exemplar of a disciple endowed with resolute will. He, who occupied a distinguished place among the few companions of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), never wavered: He never changed. Ammar was neither radical, seeking to surpass his spiritual guide, nor a coward resorting to improper dissimulation (taqiyya). Fixated solely on the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), he remained steadfast upon the path of truth.
This steadfastness was like a sharpened blade, tempered in the furnace of adversity and unwavering amid trials. Ammars resolve, emanating from a sound and complete constitution, embodies the quintessential model of the true disciple.
The companions of the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) were few in number due to their fragile constitution: a scant number. Many refrained from accompanying his truth on account of hesitation and fault-finding. Some branded him as extremist, others as severe, and still others as incompatible with customary norms. This frailty of constitution was akin to a new vessel, yet untouched by the moisture of truth, vulnerable to the heat of caprice and doubt.
This critique unveils the historical challenges inherent in embracing truth. A weak constitution hinders the comprehension of the grandeur of the Divine Saints and impedes fellowship with them.
The disciples will is akin to a torch illuminating the pathway of spiritual wayfaring. Ammar Yasir, with his steadfastness and obedience to his guide, exemplifies this resolute will. Conversely, the weak constitution of the companions impeded their fellowship with the truth. This section underscores the significance of resolute will and the role of constitution in spiritual progression.
In explicating the concept of constitution, three pivotal notions are distinguished:
Disposition resembles a chassis that stabilises the existential edifice; character shapes the content of this edifice; and etiquette serves as the outward faade revealing the reality of the inner self. It is through etiquette that ones character and disposition are recognised.
Constitution is the primordial nature upon which each entity is created: The innate disposition with which mankind was created. This primordial nature varies across beingsstones, wood, iron, water, and air each possess distinct existential imperatives. Stone demands hardness, wood fragility, water fluidity. Yet this imperative is not deterministic; rather, it is subject to environmental, educational, and temporal influences that engender change.
The human constitution is like a vessel, at times aged and saturated with the moisture of truth, at others new and thirsty for the heat of desire. The aged vessel, by absorbing moisture, keeps the water cool; the new vessel absorbs heat and warms the water. This metaphor elucidates the impact of constitution and the possibility of its transformation through will.
Constitution, akin to an existential blueprint, governs the behaviour of every being. The distinction between disposition, character, and etiquette clarifies the hierarchical structure of human existence. These concepts, highlighting the potential for constitutional change, introduce will as the key to spiritual evolution.
Will is a foundational law in mysticism: Will is among the laws of this science. Unlike the common willwhich, as described in the lectures, is unrefined and crudethe mystical will is volitional and resolute. It constitutes the willing response to the Truths call: The willing acceptance of the remedy of truth. This acceptance, free from compulsion and aversion, directs the seeker towards the ultimate reality.
The mystical will resembles an ABS-equipped braking system that does not halt abruptly on the path of truth but guides the wayfarer steadily and purely to the destination. This will constitutes a firm foundation upon which the edifice of mysticism rests.
And when We bestow favour upon man, he turns away and distances himself; but when evil touches him, he is despairing.
(Qur'an 17:83; )
This verse highlights human frailty when confronted with blessings and calamities. In times of favour, man forgets God; in adversity, he succumbs to despair. A strong will, however, directs the seeker from such vacillation towards perseverance.
This frailty is likened to a new vessel that absorbs heat and warms the water, whereas will is like an aged vessel retaining the moisture of truth, remaining steadfast amidst blessings and afflictions.
Will constitutes a fundamental law of mysticism, through volitional acceptance of truth leading the seeker to perfection. The critique of human frailty regarding blessings and afflictions accentuates the vital role of will in overcoming spiritual instability.
History is akin to a storeroom, at times filled with distorted debris, at others containing the jewels of truth. The lectures emphasise daily engagement with history: Read at least one hour of history daily. Despite distortions by foes and friends alike, history, when examined with corroborating evidence and contextual conditions, can elucidate verities.
Historical distortionssuch as cursing the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) or attributing falsehoodsoften result from financial inducements to defame or glorify. Yet diligent study of history resembles an excavation in a trove of truth that, through meticulous scrutiny and contextualisation, reveals its gems.
History, notwithstanding distortions, acts as a mirror revealing truth through detailed study and corroborative evidence. Such study is essential for comprehending past constitutions and avoiding misrepresentations, thereby aiding the seeker in the path of truth.
Will, like a blazing torch in the spiritual journey, guides the seeker from intention and resolve to action and motion. This treatise, grounded in the Noble Qur'an, introduces constitution as an existential imperative that is not deterministic but subject to volitional change. It critiques historical and mystical fatalism, emphasising the role of free will and choice in the spiritual path. Ammar Yasir stands as an archetype of a disciple with resolute will who, by following his guide, remained steadfast upon the path of truth. The differentiation of disposition, character, and etiquette elucidates the hierarchical existential structure of human beings, presenting will as the key to the evolution of constitution. Historical study, akin to a careful excavation of the trove of truth, paves the way to discerning reality and circumventing distortions.
Supervised by Sadegh Khademi
