the Lectures of Nokounam, May His Sanctity Remain (Session 577)
Within the vast domain of Islamic mysticism, the station of Muyana (Direct Vision) shines forth as a resplendent gem atop the gateway of verities (Bb al-aqiq). This stationbeing the locus of immediate and unmediated vision of the Most Highguides the seeker towards the zenith of Liq Allh (Divine Encounter). The present lecture, derived from the discourses of Nokounam (May His Sanctity Remain) in session 577 of the series Manzil al-Sirn, elucidates the concept of Muyana, its tripartite gradations (Abr, Ayn al-Qalb, and R), and presents critical reflections on the sequence and exposition of these levels.
Muyana, as the third station within the Bb al-aqiq following Mukshafa (Unveiling) and Muhada (Contemplation), is the locus wherein the seeker attains direct, unmediated vision of the Divine Truth. This stationrepresenting the pinnacle of mystical witnessingelevates the wayfarer beyond the confines of inner witnessing (Muhada) to the objective vision of the Most High. Like a towering summit in the spiritual itinerary, Muyana removes all veils obstructing the seekers gaze and positions him within the precincts of Liqa Allh.
This station manifests in three gradations: Muyanat al-Abr (vision with the physical eye), Muyanat Ayn al-Qalb (vision with the hearts insight), and Muyanat al-R (vision with the spirit). Each gradation opens a portal towards the truth, guiding the seeker through varying degrees of witnessing.
Muyana is defined in three stages, each revealing a dimension of Divine witnessing:
These gradations serve as a ladder, elevating the seeker from outward vision to inward witnessing and ultimately to the direct Divine Encounter. However, the sequence as presented in the original textwhich places Muyanat al-Abr as the first gradationhas invited critical scrutiny.
The primary text introduces Muyanat al-Abr as the inaugural gradation of Muyana. Yet, from a mystical perspective, this ordering warrants reconsideration. Should Muyanat al-Abr denote the vision of Divine lordly effects, this vision properly pertains to the preceding stations (Mukshafa and Muhada) and cannot be situated within Muyana. Conversely, if it signifies the vision of the Divine Essence with the physical eye, then this station represents the zenith of Liqa Allh and must be regarded as the ultimate gradation of Muyana. The vision of the Divine with the eye demands traversing the subtler stations of the heart, spirit, secret, and innermost realities, thereby constituting the supreme station of Muyana.
This critique acts as a beacon, underscoring the imperative of reordering the gradations of Muyana. The vision of the Divine with the eye is a summit attained only after passing through all spiritual stations. As the poet states:
People have heard of God, yet have never seen Him;
We have witnessed what all creation merely hears.
Every form perceived reflects the beautys essence;
For us, the veil between face and meaning has been rent.
Behold the Face of God with the eye of God,
For surely the gnostics have beheld God thus.
Muyanat al-Abr, understood as the vision of the Divine with the physical eye, corresponds to the station of Liqa Allh, which is illumined in the Holy Quran by the luminous verse:
Fldvands translation: The Day when the veil shall be lifted.
This verse refers to the complete manifestation of the Divine Reality on the Day of Resurrection, yet in mysticism it also signifies the direct vision of the Divine Truth attained in the spiritual journey. This vision transcends mere intellectual or inner witnessing and elevates the seeker to the pinnacle of Divine proximity.
Muyanat Ayn al-Qalb designates the vision of the Divine through the hearts insight, conferring a certain, unequivocal knowledge devoid of doubt or perplexity. This cognition is founded upon rational and transmitted evidences that cleanse the heart of every semblance of ignorance and illusion. Insight (Basra) is akin to a light shining within the seekers heart, unveiling the Divine in a manner consistent with Reality.
This insight is a perception illumined by the light of Divine guidance and Prophetic wisdom. Prophetic wisdom is knowledge transmitted through the Shariah and the Prophets, which purifies the heart from ignorance and illusion. This light serves as a beacon dispelling the darkness of doubt and bewilderment from the seekers heart.
Muyanat al-Qalb (Examination of the Heart) is an insightful cognition fortified by the divine light of guidance and the prophetic wisdom. This celestial light purifies the intellect from the veil of illusion and delusion, directing the seeker towards true gnosis. The prophetic wisdom acts as a key that unlocks the portals of knowledge, preparing the heart to receive the sacred divine mysteries.
Insight (basrah) constitutes a cognition perfectly aligned with reality, free from error and perplexity. In contrast, knowledgeespecially empirical knowledgemay be conjectural and not necessarily correspond to absolute truth. Due to its inherent limitations such as changeability and fallibility, knowledge cannot attain ultimate truth; however, insight, grounded in divine light, apprehends the truth with certainty. Metaphorically, knowledge is akin to a shadow that may deviate from reality, whereas insight is a luminous light that reveals the truth directly and unmediated.
This distinction underscores the divergence between superficial perception and inward intuition. A scholar may suffice with outward narration, but the possessor of insight discovers truth within the profound depths of their own being.
The practice of Muyanat al-Qalb rests upon scientific evidences encompassing rational (deductive) proofs and transmitted (textual) proofs derived from authentic reports of the Infallibles. These evidences inspire certainty and are devoid of doubt. Rational proofs are definitive and conclusive arguments admitting no hesitation, while transmitted proofs must be explicit, unambiguous, and supported by sound chains of narration and valid contextual origins. Such evidences serve as firm pillars reinforcing the hearts knowledge and guiding the seeker towards ultimate truth.
Righteous deeds operate as instruments for the purification of the self, preparing the seekers heart to receive the sanctified divine light. The traveller who purifies their soul through virtuous actions and polishes their heart with the celestial sacred light attains access to the secrets of knowledge and divine realities. This purification is analogous to polishing a mirror of the heart, rendering it receptive to reflect the light of truth.
This light emancipates the heart from doubt and bewilderment, leading to certain cognition. The prepared seeker beholds the realities of entities and remains safeguarded from every form of hesitation and confusion.
The original text is deemed incomplete due to its insufficient explication of the ranks of sirr (the Secret), khaf (the Hidden), and akhf (the Most Hidden), alongside inadequate reference to the verses concerning the liq Allh (Divine Meeting). It was anticipated that the discussion of Muyanat would be elucidated more comprehensively, with particular focus on the Divine Encounter and related scriptural verses. This deficiency casts a shadow upon the illumination of the original text, which remains unfulfilled.
This critique highlights the necessity of completing mystical discourses with emphasis on Quranic verses and precise delineation of the stages of spiritual journey. As the pinnacle of the spiritual path, Muyanat demands integration with the concept of Divine Meeting to unveil its full truth.
Reflection upon the subject of Muyanat guides us into the profound depths of mystical journeying. This station, accompanied by the direct vision of the Almighty Truth, elevates the seeker to the utmost proximity to the Divine. Muyanat al-Absr (Examination of the Senses), as an ocular vision of the Truth, constitutes the highest degree of this station, while Muyanat Ayn al-Qalb (Examination of the Eye of the Heart), through certain insight and scientific evidences, purifies the heart from doubt and bewilderment. The critiques levied against the improper ordering of ranks and incomplete exposition underscore the imperative of precision in articulating mystical concepts. Righteous deeds and the sacred light function as means of purifying the heart, leading the seeker towards divine secrets.
This treatise, reflecting on the lectures of Nokounam , elucidates the station of Muyanat, its triadic ranks, and the role of insight and righteous deeds in the mystical path. Muyanat, as the ultimate goal of spiritual journeying, liberates the seeker from every veil and situates them within the realm of Divine Meeting. The critiques presented emphasize the necessity of revisiting the ordering of ranks and completing the exposition through linkage with the Quranic verses. Rendered in an elevated style and scholarly structure, this text provides a valuable resource for researchers of Islamic mysticism and invites seekers of truth to contemplate this sublime station. Supervised by: Sadegh Khademi
