The station of Qalaq in mystical and spiritual journeys is a pivotal stage wherein the seeker is tested by an overwhelming intensity of longing coupled with a deficiency of patience. In the Maqamat al-Sa'ireen (The Stations of the Seekers) by Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, Qalaq is described as a state of restlessness and anxiety arising from an inability to endure the overpowering fervour of longing. The profound lectures of Nakounam (May His Soul Rest in Peace) offer a detailed exposition of this station, drawing upon the incident of Prophet Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) and the related verse of the Qur'an.
Qalaq, understood as the deficiency of patience in the face of overwhelming longing, is a state that leads the seeker to anxiety and restlessness. This condition is akin to a tempest that arises in the sea of longing, causing the vessel of patience to be tossed and shaken. Longing is a driving force that propels the seeker toward the Beloved, but without patience, this longing results in agitation and helplessness.
Longing, in the mystical path, manifests in three stages: Qillat al-Shawq, which is a slight and bearable longing; Tabayyun al-Shawq, which is moderate longing accompanied by some patience; and Nihaayat al-Shawq, which is intense longing that tests the seekers patience. In the third stage, longing becomes like a consuming fire that melts patience and leads the seeker to Qalaq.
The Holy Qur'an, in verse 20 of Surah Taha, quotes Prophet Moses (Peace Be Upon Him) saying:
This urgency, arising from an intense longing to meet the Divine, is an example of Qalaq. Prophet Moses (Peace Be Upon Him), as a manifestation of the Divine Majesty, experienced such an overwhelming fervour that his patience waned, causing him to hasten to the appointed meeting before his people.
The haste of Prophet Moses (Peace Be Upon Him), due to his infallibility, cannot be considered selfish or irrational. As an elect of the Divine, he is free from base passions. The Qur'an states:
This Divine selection is a testament to Moses purity from human flaws. His urgency was solely due to his intense longing and lack of patience.
Moses haste led to the sedition of Samiri and the worship of the golden calf by his people. The Qur'an mentions:
This Divine address indicates that Moses urgency, though born from his fervent longing for the Divine, had consequences, including leading his people astray. This event serves as a mirror that reflects the impact of Qalaq on the seekers spiritual path.
The Divine Law (Shariah) contains two types of rulings: Emnity-based rulings and Disciplinary rulings. The emnity-based rulings, such as performing tayammum in the absence of water or accepting an uncertain ablution, are like a gentle breeze that eases the seekers journey. However, the disciplinary rulings are like a fiery furnace, designed to purify the soul. For example, the intention to break ones fast, even without action, invalidates the fast, and performing acts of hypocrisy in prayer, aside from invalidating it, leads to sin and has consequences in the Hereafter.
In Islamic jurisprudence, the mere intention of breaking the fast, even without consumption, invalidates the fast, as the validity of fasting is contingent upon patience. Likewise, hypocrisy in prayer not only invalidates the act but is also a sin that will be punished in the Hereafter under titles such as "Fajir" (wicked) and "Khasir" (loser). These rulings, akin to a disciplinary lash, compel the soul towards sincerity and patience.
Patience is a sturdy staff that keeps the traveler steady on the path of spiritual progression. It has been narrated: "Patience is half of faith." Without discipline, the soul cannot be tamed, and desire fails to be adequately answered. Patience acts as a key that unlocks the gates of spiritual progress, guiding the traveler toward knowledge and faith.
Restlessness manifests in three stages: Tazeeq al-Khalq (narrowness of spirit), Bughd al-Khalq (hatred of people), and Ladhat al-Mawt (the sweetness of death). In Tazeeq al-Khalq, the traveler becomes ill-tempered and impatient. In Bughd al-Khalq, they withdraw from others due to their obstruction of the path to the Beloved. In Ladhat al-Mawt, the intensity of longing and separation drives them to desire death.
At the stage of Tazeeq al-Khalq, the traveler, due to separation from the Beloved, becomes narrow-spirited. Their heart, which is solely inclined towards the Beloved, recoils from everything else, perceiving others as an obstruction. This state is akin to a dark cloud that blankets the sky of the traveler's heart.
At the stage of Bughd al-Khalq, the traveler becomes averse to associating with others, viewing them as obstacles to reaching the Beloved. This hatred serves as a wall separating the traveler from multiplicity, directing them towards unity with the Beloved.
At the stage of Ladhat al-Mawt, the traveler perceives death as the path to liberation from the pressure of longing and separation. It has been narrated: "Die before you die." This "death" can be spiritual (annihilation in the Truth) or physical. The traveler, like a bird seeking liberation from the cage of the body, yearns to unite with the Beloved.
During the period of restlessness, the traveler requires solitude to remain unbothered by the disturbances of others. Solitude acts as a refuge that protects the traveler from confusion, focusing their longing and devotion. A novice, still in the early stages of their journey, should avoid public appearances, as their ill-temper and hatred may drive others away from the path of faith.
The seeker (Murid), who is still on the path of spiritual development, may experience restlessness. However, the desired (Murad), having completed the journey, returns to the material world to serve others. This distinction is like a dividing line, marking the separation between the traveler and the perfected human being.
Worship, voluntary prayers (Nawafil), and invocations (Adhkar) strengthen patience within the traveler. Surah Al-Asr, which emphasizes patience, serves as a remedy that alleviates the anxiety of restlessness. These acts prepare the soul to endure longing and the trials of spiritual progression.
Patience not only strengthens the path of spiritual progress but also extends one's life. Impatience, like a blight, depletes both the body and soul, whereas patience, like clear water, revitalizes life.
A skilled teacher is like a guide who leads the traveler through the intensity of their longing. By reinforcing patience, the teacher saves the traveler from restlessness and directs them towards union with the Beloved. This role is like a lantern illuminating the dark path of spiritual progress.
The station of restlessness in "Maqamat al-Sa'irin" (The Stages of the Wayfarers) is a critical juncture that tests the traveler in the face of intense longing and insufficient patience. The story of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), who rushed towards the rendezvous due to his fervent longing, serves as a clear example of restlessness. This station, in its three stagesTazeeq al-Khalq, Bughd al-Khalq, and Ladhat al-Mawtleads the traveler towards isolation and despair. Shariah, with its nurturing and disciplining rulings, and acts of worship, with their reinforcement of patience, help the traveler overcome restlessness. Solitude is a condition for maintaining balance in spiritual progress, and the perfected human being, upon reaching union with the Truth, returns to the material world. The scholarly discourses of Nekounam (may his soul rest in peace), with their profound elucidation of this station, have illuminated the path for seekers and researchers alike.
Reviewed by: Sadegh Khadami
