The book Mansal al-Sa'ireen, authored by Khwaja Abdullah Ansari, stands as one of the most distinguished mystical works in Islamic tradition, offering an unparalleled depiction of the journey and asceticism of the seeker towards God. Within this work, the Chapter on Wilayat the eighth of the ten principal chapters holds a special significance, for it introduces the pinnacle of spiritual perfection and the fiery realm of servitude to God. This chapter, with its ten spiritual doors (Lahz, Laqt, Safa, Surur, Sirr, Nafs, Ghurba, Gharq, Ghayba, Tamkin), portrays the stages of the seekers annihilation in the Divine truth and their perpetuity through Gods eternal existence. Lecture 528 of Nokhoyesh (R.I.P) delves into this chapter, explaining the essence of Wilayat as the core of human perfection and a solution to the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah.
The Chapter on Wilayat, akin to a lofty summit in the mystical journey, represents the point where the seeker transitions from absolute servitude (Ibadah) to divine lordship (Rubbiyah). This chapter, through its ten spiritual doors, outlines the stages of spiritual perfection from the moment of witnessing (Lahz) to the establishment in the state of Tamkin (settlement in the Divine station). The text of this chapter begins as follows:
Each of these doors represents a stage in the seekers annihilation in the truth (Fana fi al-Haqq) and their eternal subsistence through the Divine (Baqa bi Allah). For instance, 'Lahz' refers to the moment in which the seeker perceives a spark of divine light, 'Laqt' is the gathering of that light in the heart, 'Safa' is the purging of the heart and its transparency to reflect the divine light, and so on. The full delineation of these ten doors forms the pathway to the state of divine lordship.
The Chapter on Wilayat, due to its pivotal position in the seekers journey and its role in shaping the spiritual identity of human beings, is described as a chapter of immense weight and significance. This chapter serves as a criterion that distinguishes the human from the non-human. As the noble Hadith states: Whoever dies without knowing the Imam of his time, dies the death of ignorance (Jahiliyyah). The recognition of the Imam of the Time, as the axis of Wilayat, is a condition for spiritual life, and neglecting this leads one towards a death of ignorance.
The Qur'an further emphasizes the importance of Wilayat, highlighting that it is the axis of existence that separates truth from appearance and meaning from form. This chapter has a foundational role not only in individual spiritual journeys but also in the collective life of the Muslim Ummah.
The Chapter on Wilayat, as the summit of spiritual ascent, is the place where the seeker reaches the station of divine lordship. Through its ten doors, it outlines the seekers annihilation in the Divine truth and their eternal existence through Gods perpetuity. By emphasizing the recognition of the Imam of the Time, it provides a criterion for spiritual life. The significance of this chapter lies in its weight and decisiveness, guiding humanity from ignorance to the truth.
The spiritual journey in *Mansal al-Sa'ireen* begins with the initial steps and gradually leads the seeker towards the Chapter on Wilayat. These stages act as the steps that guide the seeker from the slumber of heedlessness to the fire of Wilayat.
The Chapter on Wilayat, as a fiery furnace, represents the place where the seeker experiences an explosive transformation, freeing themselves from the self, ego, and otherness. This fire is the same that leads to divine lordship:
Servitude, the abandonment of anything other than the Divine, leads the seeker to the station of the Lord. The Lord is one who is not dependent on anything. Wilayat is the state of reaching the Divine truth and freedom from everything other than Him.
The Chapter on Wilayat serves as a furnace of transformation, where the seeker frees themselves from ego and reaches divine lordship. The abandonment of anything other than the Divine and the trials faced in the process are essential components of this transformative stage.
The journey of a seeker (salik) begins with the fundamentals and progresses through spiritual states, preparing them for the gateway of Wilayah. This gate is a crucible of servitude, wherein, through the eruption of states and the renunciation of the other, the seeker is guided to divine sovereignty. Tribulations, as the necessary component of Wilayah, purify the seeker and lead them towards spiritual perfection.
Wilayah is divided into two categories: general (m) and special (kh). General Wilayah exists in all creatures, including even inanimate objects. Stones and water, in their own way, fall under the divine Wilayah. However, special Wilayah is a divine bestowment, exclusive to the saints who have attained perfection.
This "best" refers not to an excess, but to the wondrous essence of creation. Special Wilayah is the very salt of existence, the essence of perfection, granted only to the righteous.
Wilayah is the inner dimension of prophethood and Imamate. The Prophet and the Imam attain the station of Wilayah through servitude and renunciation of the other. The Holy Qur'an states:
Servitude is the cause of prophethood, and Wilayah is the essence of the perfection of the Prophets and Saints. Prophethood is the outward manifestation of Wilayah, and without it, prophethood is impossible.
Exile (ghurba) is a prominent characteristic of the friends of Wilayah, who, through Taqiyyah, safeguard their secret. This exile arises from the reluctance of people to approach the fire of Wilayah. The Prophet (PBUH) states:
Taqiyyah is not merely concealing the outward appearance, but also protecting the secret of Wilayah. This Taqiyyah is a sign of the mystics exile and the protection of the jewel of Wilayah from the masses.
Establishment (tamakkun) is the state of being firmly rooted in Wilayah, from which the seeker bestows blessings upon others. This state is akin to that of Amir al-Muminin (AS), who feeds others with existence and imparts perfection to them. The Qur'an says:
Establishment is the true essence of the soul and authentic perfection, not mere outward wealth or power.
Wilayah, in its general and special forms, is the inner essence of prophethood and the axis of spiritual perfection. Exile and Taqiyyah are attributes of the saints of Wilayah, and establishment is the station from which the seeker bestows grace upon creation. These levels present Wilayah as the essence of perfection and the salt of existence.
The weakness of Wilayah is the root cause of the problems faced by the Muslim community. Without a proper understanding of the truth of Wilayah, unity and salvation are impossible. As Amir al-Muminin (AS) says:
The Islamic Revolution is a spark from the fire of Wilayah, shaking the world and revitalizing the geography of Islam. This revolution is a sign of divine grace and the opening of the gate of Wilayah in the present age.
Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (AS) is the axis of Wilayah and the divine river (Kawthar), from whom the People of the Cloak take permission. The Prophet (PBUH) states:
The Wilayah of Fatimah is the pinnacle of the Wilayah of the saints and the essence of perfection. This position underscores her as the divine honor and the axis of Wilayah.
Wilayah is the solution to the problems of the Muslims and the axis of Islamic transformations. The Islamic Revolution is a spark from this fire, guiding the world towards the knowledge of Wilayah. Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (AS), as the core of Wilayah, reveals the essence of this truth.
The gate of Wilayah in "Mansil al-Sairin" is the peak of the spiritual journey and the crucible of divine servitude, presenting Wilayah as the core of human perfection. This gate, with its ten doors, outlines the stages of the seekers annihilation in truth and their perpetuation through divine eternity. Wilayah not only plays a central role in the individuals spiritual journey but also in the collective life of the Muslim community. Its weakness is the root cause of the problems within the Islamic Ummah. The Islamic Revolution is a spark of this divine fire, guiding the world towards the revival of the knowledge of Wilayah. Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (AS) stands as the core of Wilayah, revealing the essence of this divine truth.
