This paper is a scholarly and academic rendition of the profound mystical lectures explaining the chapter "Al-Atash" (The Thirst) from the venerable book Manazel al-Sa'ireen (The Stages of the Seeker). This work delves into the stages of thirst, from the thirst of the disciple to the thirst of the lover, with a deep and analytical perspective. It presents these concepts with eloquence and precision, providing a cohesive and scholarly interpretation for theologians and mysticism researchers.
In the mystical path, thirst is classified into two main stages: the thirst of the disciple (mureed), which pertains to the beginning of the journey, and the thirst of the lover (muhibb), which pertains to the end of the journey. The thirst of the seeker (saalik) is a transitional state that evolves into the thirst of the lover as one ascends the mystical path. The thirst of the disciple is a longing for guidance and the initiation of the path, while the thirst of the lover is a yearning for union and nearness to the Divine, guiding the seeker toward unity and the vision of the Divine.
This classification is akin to the two banks of a river, leading the seeker from the origin of their journey to the ultimate destination of union. The thirst of the disciple is like a sip that motivates the seeker to embark on their journey, while the thirst of the lover is like a vast ocean that immerses the seeker completely.
The stages of thirst are like a ladder that guides the seeker from the beginning to the ultimate destination of the mystical journey. The thirst of the disciple is the starting point that propels the seeker toward guidance, while the thirst of the lover is the final destination, where the seeker, upon reaching the Divine, empties their heart of everything other than the Divine.
The thirst of the lover is a longing for the manifestation of the Divine, free from the veils of worldly attachments (the servants veil) and the veils of division and stagnation in the journey. This thirst transforms the heart of the seeker into a burning fire, preparing them for the vision of the Divine. The thirst of the lover is like a flame that consumes everything that is not the Divine, purifying the heart so that the beloveds manifestation may shine therein.
This thirst is akin to a burning passion that renders the seeker free from both themselves and others, drowning them in unity with the Divine. In this stage, the lover is like one who sees nothing but the beauty of the Beloved and hears nothing but the voice of the Beloved.
The manifestation of the Divine occurs in proportion to the love of the lover. Each seeker perceives the Divine according to the capacity of their love, and this vision evolves moment by moment. God reveals Himself daily in a new way, and the lover, with each new moment of love, experiences a new vision of the Divine. This dynamic is like a flow that synchronizes the heart of the seeker with the divine revelations.
The saints of God, due to their vision of the Divine, act with certainty and stability. This vision is like a key that unlocks the heart, leading the seeker to the ultimate Truth.
Veils in the mystical journey are classified into two types: the servant's veils (zullumani) arising from ego, self-interest, and desires, and the Lord's veils (nuri), which hinder the beginner seeker. The servant's veil is like dust that clouds the mirror of the heart, and it is removed through worship, remembrance (dhikr), and seeking forgiveness (istighfar). The Lord's veil, on the other hand, is like a blinding light that prevents the beginner seeker from achieving perfect vision. Daily acts of worship, such as seeking forgiveness and dhikr, are like clear water that purifies the heart from the impurities of the ego and prepares it for the vision of the Divine. The seeker must, through asceticism, rid themselves of egoism and division to achieve unity and the manifestation of the Divine.
The mystical journey, unlike relative matters such as academic qualifications, which are fixed and superficial, is a dynamic and living process. The seeker must, moment by moment, through dhikr, worship, and ascetic practice, polish their heart to protect it from negligence and impurity. This dynamic is like the heartbeat, where if it ceases even for a moment, the seekers spiritual life is at risk.
The Divine is ever in a new state, as the Qur'an states:
"Every day He is in a new affair" (Qur'an 55:29).
This dynamism obliges the servant to constantly align themselves with the Divine manifestations through worship and remembrance. Neglect, even for a moment, is like the extinguishing of a flame, darkening the heart.
The thirst of the lover is like a fire that purifies the heart from everything other than the Divine, preparing it for the full revelation of the Divine. This thirst, through the removal of the veils of servitude and lordship, leads the seeker to unity and submission. The dynamic nature of the path requires continuous worship, allowing the heart to be freed from impurity and division, ultimately leading to the unveiling of the Divine.
The vision of the Divine in the thirst of the lover is like seeing the full moon on a clear night, a vision accompanied by subtlety and beauty. This vision, as narrated in the Hadith, "You will see your Lord as you see the full moon on the night of the full moon," is realised with a pure heart, without harm. Unlike the vision of majesty (like seeing the sun), the vision of beauty is gentle and full of connection, leading the believer's heart to union with the Divine.
This vision is like the reflection of the moon in clear water, achievable only in a heart that is free from blemish. If the heart of the believer becomes negligent in worship for even a moment, it is like a fish that is deprived of seeing the light of the Divine due to dark clouds.
The thirst of the beloved leads the seeker to submission and unity of essence, where the soul and heart are in complete obedience to the Divine, and nothing other than the Divine finds a place in the seeker's heart. In this stage, the seeker is like a bird freed from the chains of worldly desires, soaring in the sky of unity. Through complete obedience to the Divine, they attain the station described in the verse:
"Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds" (Qur'an 6:162).
Submission is akin to taming a wild horse, bringing the soul and heart into compliance with the Divine. At this stage, the seeker sees nothing but the Divine and desires nothing other than Him.
"Tariyaj" refers to an unsteady movement, swaying back and forth, not merely a desire for something. The seeker of love is free from this instability and steadily moves towards the Divine. This stability is like walking a straight path where no deviation occurs.
Contrary to the incorrect definition that equates "tariyaj" with desire for something, it is a sign of instability, like a person who, due to lack of steadiness, veers left and right. The lover, however, is like a traveler with a pure heart, moving directly towards the goal.
Asceticism, remembrance, and solitude with God purify the heart from division and the distractions of worldly desires. The seeker must dedicate part of each day to engaging with the Qur'an, prayer, and supplication, so their heart remains pure and ready for Divine vision. This intimacy is akin to a loving conversation with the Beloved, emptying the heart of all that is not Him.
Negligence and division distance the heart from the Divine. The appearance of anything other than the Divine in the heart, such as worldly desires and false loves, forms the veil of division, preventing union. This division is like the scattering of light in a dusty mirror, disrupting the vision of the Divine.
The seeker must purify the heart from anything other than the Divine through asceticism and worship, in order to attain unity and vision. Even one day of negligence is like a cloud that clouds the heart's ability to see the light of the Divine.
The passionate believer, with an insatiable thirst for the Divine, constantly seeks the Qur'an, remembrance, and worship, never feeling satiated. This passion is like the thirst of a lover who can only be satisfied with a single sip of their Beloved. The example of a cow that eats until it bursts illustrates this insatiable desire: the believer, too, is never satisfied in their quest for the Divine.
Reading the Qur'an is like drinking from a clear spring, calming the heart and drawing it closer to the Divine. The seeker should read the Qur'an not merely for research but for intimacy and vision.
Knowledge without worship and remembrance is perilous and can deprive the seeker of the vision of the Divine. Knowledge is like a weapon that, without worship, can be misused by Satan. The seeker must accompany their knowledge with remembrance and asceticism to attain guidance and union.
The thirst of the beloved is like a fire that purifies the heart from anything other than the Divine, guiding it towards the vision of Divine beauty and submission in unity of essence. The seeker, through asceticism, remembrance, and intimacy with God, is liberated from division and negligence, achieving permanent union. This station is like the peak of a mountain where the seeker sees nothing but the Divine and desires nothing but Him.
This text, by compiling esoteric teachings on the thirst of the soul, has aimed to present the stages of longing for the Divine, from the thirst of the disciple to that of the lover, in a scholarly and noble framework. Thirst is like a flame that illuminates the seeker's heart, guiding them towards the vision and union with the Divine. This work is an invitation to reflect upon the stages of thirst and a step towards a deeper understanding of the mystical teachings of the stages of the seekers journey.
Supervised by: Sadiq Khadami
