Haqiqatul-Wahi (The Philosophy of Divine Revelation) — Page 31
CHAPTER III 31 thorns, rocks, serpents, and beasts, but this much light cannot save him from the cold and destruction. Thus, if such a person fails to reach the warm circle of the fire, he is destroyed just like one who walks in the dark. Then the third category of people who experience revelations and see dreams are those whose quality of dreams and revelations resembles the physical experience of a person who, on a dark and frigid night, not only finds the full radiance of the fire and walks in it, but also, by entering its warm circle, is fully safeguarded against the ill effects of the cold. This rank is attained by those who incinerate the cloak of carnal passions in the fire of divine love and adopt an arduous life for the sake of God. They see the death that lies ahead, yet they rush to choose that death for them- selves. They embrace every pain in the path of God. For the sake of God, by becoming the enemy of their ego and marching against it, they exhibit such power of faith that even the angels are amazed and astounded at the strength of their faith. They are spiritual champions and all of Satan's assaults amount to nothing in opposition to their spiritual strength. They are true in their faithfulness and uncompromising in their truthfulness such that the sights of worldly pleasures cannot beguile them nor can the love of children or the bond of matrimony turn them away from their True Beloved. In short, no bitterness can frighten them nor can any carnal pleasure hinder them from God, nor can any relationship interfere with their relationship with God. These are the three states of spiritual ranks of which the first is named 'ilmul-yaqin [knowledge by inference], the second is designated ‘ainul-yaqin [certainty by sight], and the third blessed and perfect rank is known as ḥaqqul-yaqin [true certainty]. The cognition of any human being cannot be perfected nor can it be washed clean of all impurities until it reaches the stage of ḥaqqul-yaqin, for this stage does not depend only on observation, but descends upon the heart of a man as an actual experience; and the man, being thrust into the blazing fire of divine love, is totally separated from his carnal self. Arriving at this : stage, human cog- nition moves from hearsay to actual experience and the ignoble self is totally burnt to ashes, and such a man becomes seated in the lap of God