Nekounam (May His Soul Rest in Peace) - Session 522
The present book, with a deep and scholarly perspective, examines one of the stations in the mystical journey, namely the first stage of "Barq", within the framework of the "Maqamat al-Sa'ireen" (Stations of the Wayfarers). "Barq" is a vessel in which the divine love appears suddenly and like a spark in the heart of the wayfarer, guiding them towards the meeting with the Divine. This station, following the states of ecstasy, generosity, and devotion, holds a special place in the spiritual journey. It is distinguished by characteristics such as absolute certainty in the promises of Divine proximity, the perception of even the smallest of divine gifts as abundant, the independence of the wayfarer's faculties, and the reverence for the bitterness of divine decree.
"Barq" is one of the prominent states in the mystical journey, following ecstasy, generosity, and devotion. It is like a vessel in which the divine love suddenly manifests as a spark. This sudden appearance illuminates the heart of the wayfarer with the fire of love. However, unlike the pure light specific to the station of Wilayah (Divine guardianship), this light is accompanied by heat and fervour. The heart in the state of "Barq" is always in a dynamic and changing state: sometimes it becomes illuminated, sometimes it is engulfed in smoke and heat, and at other times it may fade into darkness. Yet, it never reaches absolute stillness, unlike the stillness found in states like "Rudood" (a state of stagnation), which is typical for those who are not wayfarers.
One of the fundamental distinctions in the explanation of "Barq" is the difference between the light of fire and that of pure light. In the state of "Barq", the wayfarer's heart is illuminated by the fire of love, not by pure light. Fire, by nature, is more characterised by heat than light, as it has not yet reached the purity and stability of full illumination. Pure light, the more it is refined, reduces in heat while increasing in brightness. However, the fire in "Barq" represents a state in which the wayfarer oscillates between burning fervour and tranquillity. This distinction can be illustrated through a literary analogy: the fire of "Barq" is like a flame that shines in the dark night, yet it has not yet transformed into the eternal, unyielding sun of Wilayah.
The first station of "Barq" is defined by the illumination (a spark of light) emanating from the promises of Divine proximity in the state of hope. This illumination generates a visual certainty regarding the promise of union with the Beloved, such that the wayfarer has no doubt in its eventual fulfillment. Unlike the promises of reward in Paradise or salvation from Hell, the promises of "Luqaa" (the meeting) foretell the attainment of the essence of the Divine and nearness to Him. This certainty acts as a window through which the wayfarer glimpses the beauty of the Beloved, and nothing can make them trade it for anything else.
A notable characteristic of the wayfarer in the first station of "Barq" is the perception of even the smallest divine gift as abundant. Unlike the neglected servant who remains dissatisfied even with abundant blessings and continuously seeks more, the wayfarer in "Barq" is delighted and overwhelmed with gratitude even by the slightest gift of the Divine, such as a breath or a fleeting glance from the Beloved. This trait signifies a heart that is alive and filled with love, grateful and joyful with even the smallest grace.
Another attribute of the wayfarer in this station is the independence of the many faculties. The wayfarer finds even the most burdensome dutiessuch as ablution, prayer, and fastinglight and sweet, as they are accompanied by divine love. This attribute transforms burdens into joy, with the wayfarer eagerly engaging in these duties out of love and devotion.
The third attribute of the spiritual wayfarer is the "Istiy of the bitter taste of divine decree," which refers to the ability to find sweetness in the bitterness of God's decrees. At this stage, the wayfarer not only endures hardships, death, suffering, and disgrace, but also takes delight in them, as they are perceived to come from the Beloved. This trait reflects the strength of the wayfarer's heart and willpower, which transforms pain into sweetness. This characteristic aligns with the noble Qur'anic verse: Say: Nothing will befall us except what Allah has decreed for us (Qur'an, At-Tawbah: 9:51, ). This verse signifies contentment with God's decree and confirms the "Istiy" of the wayfarer.
Key Point:
In the first stage of the "lightning" (Barq), through the acquisition of minimal blessings, the independence of the many forms of existence, and the "Istiy of the bitter taste of divine decree," the heart of the wayfarer is elevated to the station of contentment and submission.
Longing is the desire for something yet unattained (lost), whereas love is the preservation and enjoyment of something that already exists. In the realm of lightning, the wayfarer reaches love, for they have seen the radiance of the Beloveds countenance and wish to please the Beloved through sacrifice, even to the extent of offering one's hand, foot, or head. Love is like a gem that the wayfarer preserves in their heart and, through humility before the Beloved, attains peace. This concept is connected to the Qur'anic verse: And those who believe are stronger in love for Allah (Qur'an, Al-Baqarah: 2:165, ). This verse refers to the profound love believers have for Allah and affirms the love of the wayfarer.
The heart of the wayfarer in the realm of lightning finds purification through pain and hardship, and this pain becomes sweet and satisfying for them. Unlike the weak soul that complains of pain, the strong heart endures and takes delight in it, much like iron being polished in the furnace. This strength of heart leads the wayfarer to the station of the saints, who transform poison into sweetness and pain into devotion. This notion is further confirmed by the noble Qur'anic verse: For indeed, with hardship comes ease (Qur'an, Ash-Sharh: 94:5, ). This verse highlights the ease following hardship and affirms the wayfarer's courage and strength of heart.
Key Point:
In the realm of lightning, love leads the wayfarer to humility and comfort in the obedience to the Beloved, and their courage enables them to endure and find joy in suffering and hardship.
Hope in the realm of lightning is not merely a desire; it is the certainty of reaching the encounter with the Divine. The wayfarer, with unwavering certainty, moves closer to this encounter through the promises of the Divine. This hope serves as a bridge that leads the wayfarer from both the worldly and otherworldly realms towards the Beloved, rendering them free from any dependence on anything but the Divine. This idea is closely linked to the Qur'anic verse: So whoever hopes for the meeting with his Lord, let him do righteous work (Qur'an, Al-Kahf: 18:110, ). This verse establishes righteous actions as a prerequisite for the encounter with the Lord and affirms the hope of the wayfarer.
The promises in the realm of lightning are not rewards, as they refer to the encounter with the Beloved, not the rewards of paradise or the avoidance of hell. At this stage, the wayfarer desires only the encounter with the Divine and forsakes both the world and the hereafter. These promises shine like stars in the sky of the spiritual journey, guiding the wayfarer toward the ultimate goal. This is corroborated by the Qur'anic verse: The Face of Allah, Owner of Majesty and Honour (Qur'an, Ar-Rahman: 55:27, ). This verse refers to the Face of Allah as the ultimate goal and affirms the promises of the Divine encounter.
Key Point:
Hope in the realm of lightning signifies the realization of the encounter with the Divine, and the promises of this encounter guide the wayfarer towards the Beloved, rendering them independent of both the world and the afterlife.
The first stage of lightning in the "Mansil al-Sirn" is a realm in which divine love appears suddenly and sparkingly, igniting the heart of the wayfarer with the fire of love. This stage is illuminated by the divine promises of the encounter with Allah, combined with hope. It brings forth the three attributes: the acquisition of minimal blessings, the independence of various forms of existence, and the "Istiy of the bitter taste of divine decree." In this realm, the wayfarer reaches love, which, unlike longing, is the preservation of the existing Beloved. Their heart, with strength and purity, finds sweetness in pain and hardship, drawing closer to the station of the saints. The lightning stage serves as a precursor to higher levels, guiding the wayfarer towards the encounter with the Divine, while requiring strength of heart and contentment with the divine decree.
With the sincere oversight of Sadegh Khademi
