Word 54: The one who has reached the stage of awakening does not account for the majority type of knowledge beyond dreams and imagination…

Word 54: The one who has reached the stage of awakening does not account for the majority type of knowledge beyond dreams and imagination. Knowledge, which is the soul’s light, is another form, as is grace, which is the true nourishment. “Knowledge is the light that God places in the heart of anyone He desires”

If you look at books written in practical mysticism, such as “Manazel al-Saereen” or others, the first stage is called the “Yaqzah” (Awakening) stage. Humans are sleeping in oblivion. Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “People are asleep and wake up when they die”.

The ship was going across the water. The sun had just risen, warming and illuminating the ship’s surface. The ship’s inhabitants woke up one by one. Everyone followed their allotted duties: captain, scout, sailor, chef, and so on. Everyone began to perform their task. One of the ship’s residents once asked him, “Where are we going in this vast ocean with no end?” He inquires of his companion, “Where are we going”? His pal said, “I don’t know!” They approached the scoutman and inquired, “Where are we going in this vast sea”? The scoutman answered, “I don’t know either!” They asked the same inquiry to the sailor. “I do not know”, the sailor replied. In brief, a big question emerged on the ship: “Where are we going?” Where is this ship heading? Unfortunately, this question was quickly forgotten as everyone returned to their work. This is an analogy of Earthlings traveling through space without knowing where they are heading. What are we doing?

Where are we heading, anyway? Where will we travel in this huge sea of existence? Where is our destination? What do we do here? Millions of individuals are born and die every second. We only consider having a good job, a decent lifestyle, a nice home, good work, and good food. If that’s the case, what is the distinction between us and animals? However, the seeker of the spiritual path awakens from this state of neglect. When he wakes up, he wonders: where am I? What am I doing here? What do I live for? What purpose does life serve? Everyone attempts to live, but why should we? Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I going? What are these objects surrounding me? In the stage of “Yaqzah” (waking), a person awakens from a state of neglect. When he awakens from neglect, it is not the same as when he awakens from sleep; many precious things have become worthless to him. What are people saying to me? How do others perceive me? He even regards several sciences as toys.

For example, if a guy learns he will die in a month, his entire life system will shift. Many of his favorite things, as well as many of his precious possessions, will become worthless. Many seemingly useless things will become important to him. He enjoys many things he used to hate. He dislikes many things that he used to love. This state puts him in a weird mood. If you wish to experience these unusual experiences, you must immerse yourself in “Remembering Death”. When you recall death, you gradually perceive it near to you. Worldly people believe that death is far away. “Indeed, they see it [as] distant, (6) But We see it [as] near” (Al-Ma’arij:6-7). He sees death so far away that he refuses to believe that he will die someday.

“And present to them an example of two men: We granted to one of them two gardens of grapevines, and We bordered them with palm trees and placed between them [fields of] crops. (32) Each of the two gardens produced its fruit and did not fall short thereof in anything. And We caused to gush forth within them a river. (33) And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, “I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men.” (34) And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, “I do not think that this will perish – ever. (35) And I do not think the Hour will occur. And even if I should be brought back to my Lord, I will surely find better than this as a return” (Al-Kahf:32-36). He says, “I don’t believe this garden will disappear one day”. “I do not think there will be a resurrection”. It is clear that he accepts God.

They are so immersed in the world that death appears far away. They can’t envision dying one day. According to Amir Al-Mu’minin Ali (A), “There is no certainty more doubtful than death”. Everyone knows they will die, but no one believes it.

But we must remember death. We must think that one day, we shall die. Death should never be forgotten. “Indeed, the death from which you flee – indeed, it will meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you about what you used to do” (Al-Jumu’a:8). Why did God order his prophet to tell these sentences to people? Because they do not believe they’ll die someday. They see people dying one by one, but they do not believe it about themselves.

According to Amir Al-Mu’minin Ali (A), “Death is like an arrow shot in the dark, and it can hit the target at any moment”. Since this arrow may hit the target at any moment, we must be ready for death at any moment.

The remembrance of death lifts a person out of the neglect and enters the stage of “Yaqzah” (awakening). We no longer find it difficult to get up for night prayer. Imam Ali (A) said, “By God, the interest of Abi Talib’s son in death is more than the interest of a child in his mother’s breast”. It means that I have remembered death every moment; I have always lived with death. Death is sweet; death is a rebirth. But at the same time, it separates the human heart from these affections and lusts of the world. When we recall death, death moves closer to us, and we will encounter situations in which we may see individuals sleeping while living. Do not think that this is a poetic expression; we actually will witness individuals walking, chatting, and conversing in their sleep.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “If someone remembers death 21 times a day, he will be among the martyrs of the Badr battle”. The remembrance of death makes the believer smart and not deceived by the world. If the doctors tell you that you will die in a week, while someone gives you 1 million cash and says: Hit someone in the ear, will you do that? You say: No, why should I do that? I’m going to die in a week.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “The root of all mistakes is the love of the world”. Remembrance of death destroys the love of worldly life.

Reading books and attending classes help us develop into knowledgeable individuals. But “remembering death” is the first step if we choose to be pragmatic and follow the practical path.

Allameh said, “The one who has reached the stage of awakening does not account for the majority type of knowledge beyond dreams and imagination. Knowledge, which is the soul’s light, is another form, as is grace, which is the true nourishment”. Knowledge, the light of our hearts, is incompatible with academic studies sought for financial gain.

“Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an (77) In a Register well-protected; (78) None touch it except the purified” (Al-Waq’a:77-79). Unfortunately, some people use the Quran as their sustenance. “And you make it your livelihood; You are denying it?” (Al-Waqi’a:82). It means that the one who makes the Quran a source of his wealth is denying the Quran. If I give a class and then use the class for my material life and livelihood, I am denying my teachings in the class. All Prophets said this verse to their people, “O my people, I ask you no wage for it; my wage lies with Him who flourished me. Do you not understand?” (Hud:51).

If someone reads, recites, or teaches the Quran for a living, he is rejecting it. Keep this in mind, my dears: according to the Quran, one of the characteristics of guided people is that they do not want money in exchange for guiding you. “Follow those who do not ask of you [any] payment, and they are [rightly] guided” (Ya-Sin: 21).

What is the difference between people making money with medical science and people making money with the Quran? Don’t be fooled by many things. The ego is very cunning, dear ones. Divine actions are those done for God’s sake.

That is why we require a spiritual master to assist us in resisting our ego’s temptations. Sometimes, our Nafs make some behaviors lovely. It will lead us to believe that we are on the right track and that God approves of our behavior. The divine master assists us in being aware of these harmful deceptions on our spiritual path. Many actions fall under our Nafs’ temptation, yet we believe we are doing them for God’s sake.

One of the instructions that the Prophet Muhammad (S) gave to his companions was always to “remember death”. The remembrance of death destroys worldly life temptations.

Dears, if we wish to proceed on the spiritual path, we should begin “remembering death” tonight and continue to remember it every day until we believe it and attain certainty.

Muhammad Mahdi Me’marian

All praise is to God to the extent that He deserves it.