Summary:
The path to Divine Union is one of purification, enlightenment, and persistent spiritual effort. According to Ghawth al Azam, Allah has created different pathways for people based on their spiritual states, leading the pious through their inner selves, the enlightened through the inward, and the knowers through the soul. Every person’s journey reflects their unique desires and dedication to closeness with Allah. This journey, often challenging, requires seekers to overcome distractions and remain focused on their goal of uniting with the Divine, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet on the night of Miraj.
Achieving Divine Union demands purification of the baser self through practices like abstinence, self-control, and reliance on a perfect spiritual guide. Saints and mystics often renounce worldly desires, engage in deep worship, and endure hardships to cleanse their souls. While many may reach certain spiritual realms, only a few can move beyond them due to their unshakable passion for Divine Vision. A true spiritual guide helps purify the soul, making it a clear reflection of Divine Light, allowing the seeker to experience closeness, vision, and eventually union with Allah.
At the highest level, seekers attain the realm of Divinity, shedding all worldly limitations and immersing in Divine Secrets. This union with Allah transforms them into the Universal Divine Man, whose essence reflects Divine Knowledge and Wisdom. Prophets and saints, including the Holy Prophet, exemplify this state by possessing a complete understanding of Divine mysteries. However, such knowledge is for those spiritually prepared to understand it, as Divine secrets are too profound for common understanding and are only meant for those who have attained purity and closeness to Allah.
THE PATH OF ATTAINING DIVINE UNION
In one of his writings, Ar Risala tul Ghausia, Ghawth al Azam states:
Allah said to me “O Ghawth al Azam! I made way for the pious through the inner self, for the enlightened through the inward, for the knowers through the soul. I made myself an abode for the nobles, and inwards of these nobles are filled with wisdom.”
Allah made every person different, likewise every person has different desires. Some want high worldly status, while others long for a high rank in the hereafter. Some only desire attaining closeness to Allah in both the worlds. Every individual acts according to their desire regardless whether it is for Allah or for the world.
Therefore, even for attaining closeness of Allah, every person’s desire is different. Some are more eager and enthusiastic while others are less. Some get stuck in the angelic realm (Malakut) while others remain impatient even in the realm of power (Jabarut). They keep longing for more and do not get satisfied until they attain Divine Union.
About these people, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said,
“The souls of saints are not destined for peace.”
This means they are always restless in the keenness of progressing closer to Allah.
The Holy Prophet observed the whole universe on the night of Miraj. He saw the heaven and the hell, passed through the realm of angels and the realm of power. He visited the highest heavens and yet he only focused on his ascension towards Allah. This condition is mentioned in the Quran:
The Messenger, who made you his companions, has never lost his way, nor has he (ever) strayed from the right path. (53 : 2)
Success on Inward Journey Depends on a Seeker’s Desire and Hardwork
This shows that the Holy Prophet experienced it all but did not get distracted by any of it. He only kept his attention towards Allah because that night, the Lover and the Beloved were longing to unite.
When a seeker begins his journey towards Allah, his destiny is in accordance with his desire. Some barely reach the realm of angels and start obsessing over intangible symbolic forms and the Divine Tablet. Others lose their strength upon ascending to the realm of power. Very few are those whose love and passion is stronger than rocks. These people do not lose their sight nor get distracted. They reach straight to the realm of Divinity (Lahut) and attain Divine Union.
Some people have an abundance of baser self diseases, while others have their inward purified owing to the company of their spiritual guide. By gaining more spiritual success some people overcome all hurdles.
Therefore, it is clear every person gets closer towards Allah with a pace directly proportional to their desire. That is why Allah told Ghawth al Azam that there is way for the pious in the baser inner self, in the inward for the enlightened and in the soul for the knowers.
Abstinence and Mystic Struggles for Inward Cleansing
A pious man is he who stays away from worldly affairs and completely detaches himself from them due to lack of interest. If we read about any saint’s life, we shall find loads of such incidents where they spent major part of their life abstaining from worldly affairs whilst being a focused devotee. They spent years worshiping, fasting, went on without eating for weeks, sometimes offered prayers standing on one leg, sometimes chanting repeated recitals hanging upside down in wells. They detached themselves from everything and lived like hermits.
Abstinence is for the body when its desire gets out of hand and it makes you want to lose control. For this very reason people used to seclude themselves, went out in the jungles and abandoned places in order to train their self. There, they worshipped in abundance and practiced self control. After long durations of these practices, they got hold over their baser inner selves and gained Divine revelations. However, these people only get to the angelic realm, it is impossible for them to proceed from there. That is why Allah mentioned to Ghawth al Azam there is way for the pious in the inner self.
Yahya ibn Muaz said, fight your baser self with the swords of abstinence. Abstinence means eating less, sleeping less, speaking moderately, and practicing patience when problems arise. Eating less decreases bodily desires, sleeping less gives you clarity in decision making, talking less avoids trouble and chaos. And being patient when people upset you, brings you closer to Allah.
Mystic Struggles Provide Limited Success
The most arduous thing for a man is to show persistence and endurance in pain, and tolerance in difficulty. When struck with lust and desire, if fought back with strength, the baser inner self could be trained as to work under one’s control instead of vice versa. If dealt with this way, the baser self can become clean, pure and light. And then any path you may walk will feel easy.
Yahya bin Muaz also said human has three enemies; the world, Satan and the baser inner self. Stay away from the world through sobriety, stay away from Satan by doing the opposite of what he says, and stay away from the desires of self through abstinence.
Arif is he who possesses knowledge and recognition of Allah.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman says:
Mystic is the one who remains engrossed in Divine vision and is blessed with the eternal presence of Mohammadan Assembly. Moreover, he worships Allah directly beholding Him. (Sufism – The Soul of Islam)
For these people, the way to Allah is through their inward. Inward is the esoteric self or the “true self” of a person. It is in the reflection of the inward one can view the Magnificence of the Divine Essence. However, in order to make this possible it is crucial for the inward to be pure and purged. The purgation of the self can be achieved only under the supervision of a perfect spiritual guide. One who makes use of such company for the purgation of his inward and possesses knowledge of the Divine Essence is called an Arif.
The Company of a Perfect Spiritual Guide
People who are lucky enough to have been blessed by the company of a perfect spiritual guide do not need to wander off to jungles or hang upside down in wells chanting recitals. They merely pledge allegiance to perfect spiritual guide and sincerely tread with him. His spiritual sight purges their inwards. As a result the inward cleanses and sanctifies such that one is able to see the reflection of Divine Love. Hence, first comes Vision, then Closeness and Union.
Sultan Bahoo says:
Cleanse your inward as clear as a glass, only then all baser self diseases shall be removed, which stand as an obstacle between Allah and His seeker. As soon as they are removed, Divine Essence shall become prominent.
An Arif has approach to the realm of Divinity (Lahut); however, Divine Vision is possible even from the last corner of the realm of power that is the beginning of realm of Divinity. Regarding this, Allah says in Quran:
And he (Mohammad [pbuh]) was on the uppermost horizon (of the realm of creation during the Ascension Night i.e., on the apex of the created cosmos). (53 : 7)
Jabarut means bridge, or binder. It is the realm connecting the realms of creation and command; so it comes between the two. This is where Sidrat al-Muntaha is.
Syed Abd-al-Karim al-Jilli says:
Sidrat al-Muntaha is the point where the journey towards Allah ends for human. Beyond this is the stage only designated for Allah. Human cannot cross this point or he shall turn to dust. This realm is free of all physical form. It is regarding this realm that Jibrael said to the Holy Prophet that he cannot proceed further or he shall burn himself down. (Insan-e-Kamil)
Sidrat al-Muntaha
That is also where Jibrael used to receive revelations and deliver to the messengers. And the Holy Prophet beheld Divine Essence at the highest point of this realm where the realm of Divinity begins.
Allah says in Quran:
And assuredly, he saw Him (Allah Unveiled) the second time. At the farthest Lote-Tree—Sidra al-Muntaha, Adjacent to that is the Eternal Paradise—Janna al-Ma’wa, (53: 13-15)
The Prophet pbuh said: I saw my Lord in my inward.
Not only did he see Allah with his physical eyes on the night of Miraj, but also saw him in his inward. Nevertheless, he always remained absorbed in Divine contemplation. A knowledgeable seeker benefits from his spiritual guide and gets his soul purged and feels the Divine Essence within. That is why Allah told Ghawth al Azam that there is way for the knowers through the soul.
When a seeker reaches the height of realm of power and attains Divine Vision, he can further ascend to realm of Divinity through mere will and desire where he can also attain Divine Closeness and eventually Union. This is also called Mystic annihilated in Allah.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman says:
Mystic annihilated in Allah is someone who has annihilated himself in Allah and let go of his own identity. This is the stage of annihilation in Allah. (Shams ul Fuqra)
Annihilation and Immortality
After annihilation comes immortality. At this stage the seeker gains Allah’s attributes and becomes the Universal Divine Man. This is called being acquainted with Divine attributes. In Divine Vision, there is still no union or acquaintance yet. One who annihilates in Allah and starts the journey of immortality, is the one who is truly acquainted with the Divine Essence. The deeper you delve into immortality the more Divine Secrets shall be revealed upon you. An Arif however, is only restricted to Divine Vision. Whereas, the acquainted one goes as far as knowing all Divine Secrets. On the night of Miraj when the Holy Prophet progressed beyond realm of power and witnessed Divine Essence,
Allah says about in the Quran as follows:
Then He (Allah) drew closer (to His Beloved – Prophet Mohammad) and then drew even closer. Then a distance measuring only two bow-lengths was left or even less than that (in extreme nearness). So (on that station of nearness) He (Allah) revealed to His (Beloved) whatever He revealed. (His) heart did not take it contrary to what (his) eyes beheld. (53: 8-11)
Allah Revealed his Divinity to His Beloved During Miraj
In the above stated verse, “revealed to His (Beloved) whatever He revealed” means he shared those Divine Secrets which are neither for the public nor for the important people but for the ones that reach the level of Closeness where Allah Himself shares those secrets.
The Holy Prophet said:
On the night of Miraj, Allah revealed the (entire) Quran upon me. Later when Gabriel used to bring revelations, those reminded me of everything I was taught and all the knowledge and prophesy I was entrusted with. (Al-Muhawib ul Ladunniya)
Therefore, in the realm of Divinity, only the Divine Soul has the power to access Divine Secrets. This is why Allah told Ghawth al Azam that there is a way in the soul for the knowers. Hence, uncovering Divine Secrets and Divine Essence is only possible through the soul. When the beastal soul in the physical body takes spiritual flight benefitting from the company of the perfect spiritual guide, it gets rid of all forms; beastal, illuminated and kingly, and finally manifests as the Divine Soul free of all veils. Not only it observes Divine Essence but also in His nearness becomes familiar with the Divine Secrets.
As the Holy Prophet proceeded from realm of power to realm of Divinity, he got extremely close to Allah. The measure of closeness was limitless, neither did Allah mention it in the Quran. It would not be wrong to say that the Holy Prophet united with the Divine Essence.
Divine Essence Manifests through Universal Divine Man
Allah told Ghawth al Azam that He made His Essence an abode for the pure ones. Pure ones here are those whose souls have been purged from all material, sensual and inner self impurities. The Divine Light within them dominates their physical bodies. Man gets annihilated in the Divine Essence only when he has become pure of all, other than Allah. This is possible only upon approaching the station of Divinity, the station of no station. By making Himself an abode for the pure ones, Allah manifests Himself in the perfect personalities immersed in union with Him.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen says:
In the realm of Divinity the entire universe was hidden in the Mohammadan Light, eager to get manifested. This is the station of no station. It is free of all worldly impurities. This is merely an ocean of hidden lights and a world of subtle secrets. (Shams ul Fuqra)
At this level of Divine Soul, there is nothing except unity neither anything other than Allah can approach here. The pure ones receive Divine secrets. About this Allah says: These secrets are embedded in the soul of the pure ones. The pure ones being the Universal Divine Man, who are Annihilated in Allah, Immortal with Allah, whose inward carry Divine Secrets.
And We have encompassed everything in the illumining Book. (36: 12)
Nor anything green or dry but (has been recorded) in the enlightening Book. (6: 59)
Allah Blessed Prophet Mohammad with Complete Knowledge
Whilst writing exegesis for Imam Hussain’s book Mirat-ul-Arifeen, Mrs. Ambreen Moghees says:
The pure book and the pure leader is used to refer to the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) who is the Universal Divine Man. He is in essence, the Divine Knowledge. He possesses the entire universal knowledge. This is mentioned in both the Quran and the Hadiths. Science is proving the things he told 1400 years ago. In fact, science has yet not been able to explain some of those things, but is struggling regardless. He possesses complete knowledge which is gradually manifesting in the universe. Allah said, “O Beloved! We have subjected the universe for you.”
The Holy Prophet is present in every era in the form of the Universal Divine Man whose beneficence is for every person in every era. He called himself the city of knowledge whilst Ali ibn Abi Talib (r.a) the door of the city.
Ali (r.a) said:
If I were to write the interpretation for Sura Al Fatiha, it will be written in 70 books.
Once he started telling the interpretation of Bismillah. The whole night went by but his exegesis did not finish.
The Holy Prophet said:
Do not present words of wisdom in front of fools.
Abu Huraira (r.a) said: I learned two types of knowledge from the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) . I have propagated one of them to you and if I propagated the second, people will cut my throat. (Sahih Bukhari-120)
Divine Secrets are only for Special Ones
Imam Zain ul Abideen said:
There are certain such gems of knowledge that if I disclose them people will call me an idol worshipper. Muslims will consider it halal and dutiful to kill me.
Sultan Bahoo (r.a) said:
عارف دی گل عارف جانے، کیا جانے نفسانی ھوُ
Aarif di gull aarif jaane, kya jaane nafsani ho
Explanation: Only a knower understands the words of another knower (Saint). The worldly people can never comprehend such secrets.
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh said:
خاصاں دی گل عاماں اگے نئیں مناسب کرنی
مٹھی کھیر پکا محمد کتیاں اگے دھرنی
Khaasān di gull aamaan agge naiN manasib karni
Mitthi kheer paka Mohammad katiyaan agge dharani
Explanation: It is not appropriate to disclose Divine secrets among the masses who cannot comprehend them. It is like giving sweet pudding to dogs.
Comments (16)
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Amazing article
Imam Zain ul Abideen said:
There are certain such gems of knowledge that if I disclose them people will call me an idol worshipper. Muslims will consider it halal and dutiful to kill me.
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The Prophet pbuh said: I saw my Lord in my inward.
Great article
Great ❤️
Only a knower understands the words of another knower (Saint). The worldly people can never comprehend such secrets.
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When a seeker begins his journey towards Allah, his destiny is in accordance with his desire.
Amazing article 😊