The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 78
78 Essence of Islam-III appearance and qualities of fire, in the same way, a seeker who has arrived at this stage is invested reflec- tively with Divine attributes. He surrenders himself so completely to the pleasure of God that he speaks under the direction of God, sees under the direction of God, hears under the direction of God, and moves under the direction of God, as if there is only God inside his man- tle. His humanity is completely subordinated to Divine manifestations. This subject is delicate and is above common understanding; I shall, therefore, not explore it further. [Haqiqat-ul-Waļī, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 22, pp. 22-25] Stages of Spiritual Fulfilment The word Aflaha is repeated six times in these verses66. In the first verse its use is explicit as is said: قد افلح الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ 0 67 In the other verses it is expressed through the conjunc- tive. In the lexicon the meaning of Aflaha is أُصِيْرَ إِلَى الْفَلَاحِ ie, one was turned towards his object of success and made to move towards it. According to this meaning, the first move of a believer towards achieving his objective is humility in his prayer, an act that in- volves the abandonment of pride and arrogance. The ob- jective attained thereby is that the self adopts the habit of humbleness and becomes ready and attuned to establish- ing a relationship with God. The second step towards fulfilment is the abandonment 66 The reference is to the opening verses of Sūrah Al-Mu'minun, the twenty-third chapter of the Holy Qur'an. [Publisher] 67 'Surely, success does come to the believers, who are humble in their Prayers. '-Al-Mu'minūn, 23:2-3 [Publisher]