Adapted from the Spiritual Discourses of (Session 458)
Excellence (Isn) in spiritual wayfaring is not merely about material charity or outward acts of kindness. Rather, it signifies a spiritual steadfastness and the direct witnessing of the Divine in acts of worship. This excellence is a state of being in the presence of God, performing worship with full consciousness of the sacred realm, which guides the seeker toward divine proximity and spiritual perception. Spiritual steadfastness is akin to a shield that protects the heart of the wayfarer from the temptations and deviations of the soul, guiding them toward a profound relationship with the source of all existence.
Correction of
The conditions of the second station are the fruits of the actions and exertions of the traveller (slik), whereas the conditions of the third station are purely divine gifts, where human effort and struggle do not intervene. The conditions of the second station resemble fruits borne of the tree of righteous actions performed by the slik. In contrast, the conditions of the third station are divine blessings granted to the slik by the Almighty without any intermediary effort. This distinction marks the difference between acquired (iktisb) and bestowed (wahb) states, each of which manifests in a particular stage of the spiritual journey.
The slik must adhere to the commandments of the states, such as fulfilling the obligatory religious duties (wjibt), and must not allow spiritual conditions to obstruct the performance of religious responsibilities. Any state that leads to the abandonment of an obligation is invalid and signifies a deviation from the path of truth. This obedience is akin to surrendering to the divine will, which preserves the slik from falling into the traps of satanic states.
Halal sustenance and abstaining from doubtful sources play an important role in correcting the states of the slik. Halal sustenance is akin to pure water that cleanses the heart from the impurities of the self (nafs) and prevents the infiltration of satanic whispers. This purity strengthens the divine states (rahmn) and leads the slik towards nearness to God.
Distinguishing between divine and satanic states can be achieved through two main methods: the ilm (scientific and knowledge-based) method and the an (experiential) method. The ilm method is based on knowledge of the divine law (sharah) and understanding of Lordship (rubbyah), where acts of worship are performed in accordance with the prescribed legal principles, thus protecting the slik from satanic doubts. This method is akin to a light that illuminates the path of truth and prevents deviation. On the other hand, the an method is based on signs and indications, which are less certain and require greater scrutiny and experience. The signs of divine states include clarity, inner voices, and states that emanate from a righteous source, while satanic states are accompanied by restlessness, anxiety, and lack of coherence, appearing from an unworthy source.
The effects of divine states include peace of mind, tranquility, unity of will with God, inner stillness, and harmony of the inner being, guiding the heart towards calmness and coherence. The inner harmony seems to be a state in which the slik is always in the presence of God, and their worship continues in all conditions. In contrast, the effects of satanic states involve restlessness, anxiety, fear, inner fragmentation, sorrow, and obsessive thoughts, which scatter and disturb the heart. For example, an act of worship that generates vitality and strength in obedience is divine, while an act that leads to sleepiness or pride is satanic. Distinguishing between these effects requires experience and consultation with those on the path, as the slik needs guidance to avoid the pitfalls of satanic whispers.
Section one of this work explores the concept of perfection (Ihsn) in the spiritual states, including the correction of worship, the rectification of states, and the realization of divine conditions. These stages guide the slik from outward worship towards inner vision and divine purity. Correct worship, by adhering to both external and internal legal requirements, leads to spiritual states, but it must remain free from the impurities of ostentation and self-display. The differentiation between divine and satanic states requires knowledge, awareness, and consultation with experienced spiritual guides to protect the slik from the temptations of Satan. The verses of the Qur'an, especially the verse of Light, illustrate these stages as a journey from the darkness of the self to the divine light of truth.
The station of Odiyyah is a perilous and eventful stage of the spiritual journey that exposes the slik to divine trials, hardships, and tests. This station is like a desert full of rocks and precipices that the slik must traverse with determination and perseverance. If divine grace reaches them, they will attain the station of perfection, observation, and divine vision; otherwise, they risk spiritual ruin. This station consists of ten gates: grace (Ihsn), knowledge, wisdom, insight, discernment, reverence, inspiration, serenity, tranquility, and resolve, each of which serves as a gateway to spiritual perfection.
The station of Odiyyah is filled with ups and downs, cold and heat, and numerous precipices. The slik encounters pain, separation, suffering, exhaustion, and tribulations in this station. It is as though this station is a field of trials that can only be crossed safely through noble effort and adherence to the divine law (sharah). The dangers of this station, from satanic whispers to weakening resolve, place the slik at risk of destruction, but divine confirmation acts as a torch that illuminates their path.
The station of Odiyyah consists of ten gates: Ihsn (grace), knowledge, wisdom, insight, discernment, reverence, inspiration, serenity, tranquility, and resolve. These gates guide the slik from mere perception towards the noble aspiration of reaching the truth. Knowledge perceives the generalities; wisdom understands the details; insight discerns the rulings of the details; and discernment understands the inner essence of the details. Reverence sees the grandeur of the divine in all creation, and inspiration unveils the divine countenance to the slik. These gates are like portals that guide the slik towards divine light.
Prophet Moses (PBUH) is a prominent example of a slik who endured through the trials of the station of Odiyyah. From his birth amidst danger and fear, to his upbringing in the enemy's house, and his eventual escape and helplessness, Moses was constantly exposed to tribulations. In the Qur'an, the verse And has the story of Moses reached you? When he saw a fire... When he approached it, he was called: O Moses, indeed, I am your Lord, so remove your sandals. Indeed, you are in the sacred valley of Tuwa. (Ta-Ha: 9-12) illustrates the hardships and divine grace in Moses' journey. It is as though Moses, in this sacred valley, moved from the darkness of trials towards the light of divine vision.
Section two explores the station of Odiyyah and the difficult trials of the spiritual journey. This station is a valley of hardship that places the slik in perilous situations, but with divine grace and adherence to the divine law, it leads the slik towards divine vision and perception. The ten gates of Odiyyah, from Ihsn to resolve, serve as spiritual gateways that guide the slik from outward perception to the inner essence of the truth. The example of Prophet Moses (PBUH) demonstrates divine mercy in traversing this perilous station.
This work, teachings of Nokounam (may his soul rest in peace), elucidates two key stations from the stages of the slik: Ihsn and Odiyyah. The station of Ihsn, with its focus on spiritual strength, rectifying worship and states, and achieving divine purity, guides the slik towards inner vision and nearness to God. The station of Odiyyah, a valley of trials, with its ten gates, leads the slik from outward perception to the noble aspiration of reaching the truth. This text, by preserving all details and analyses, calls the slik to trust in divine wisdom, adhere to the divine law, and persevere in the face of satanic temptations. It serves as a guiding light for those on the spiritual path, leading them towards their divine destination.
