translated & edited by G.N. Jalbani and David Pendlebury (Octagon Press 1982)
To recapitulate briefly: the self is located in the liver, the heart is
located in the physical heart, and the intellect is located in the brain.
The 'animal' self permeates the whole body but is firmly rooted in the liver.
The 'aggressive' self is present throughout the whole body, but it is firmly
rooted in the heart. And the 'serene' self also pervades the entire body, but it is firmly rooted in the brain.
.....
Types of energy in man
1. The earthly human energies, collectively called animal
energy by means of which man performs the actions of the animals and is thus counted as one of their number.
2. The other type of energy comprises the angelic faculties, by means of which man carries out the work of angels and is hence regarded as one of their number.
The meaning and purpose of the purification of the self is that the angelic
energy should gain control over the animal energy and that the
characteristics of the former should come into prominence whilst those of
the animals should remain in abeyance with a corresponding decrease in their effects.
........
Variations in Human Types
Since there are so many variations in the three basic types of human being, the means of purification for each of them will also differ; and thus the scope of this topic becomes enormous. It should be remembered, too, that the stages of purification of these three types are also different: each has its own form and pattern.
This is why the matter has become obscure and bewildering to a number of seekers who are unable to understand how to affect unity among all the multifarious forms and patterns of the three types. However, the people of
establishment do recognize and distinguish all the different forms and patterns and are well-acquainted with the method of achieving a systematic and consistent unity.
Holy Law and the Manifest Faculties
We shall now discuss the purification of the body and the manifest faculties according to the requirements of the spiritual method which god revealed without distinction to all conditions of humanity and which is currently known as the Law.
The first stage in the purification of these faculties consists in turning away from one's inborn nature and turning towards the Law.
... if you are seeking to understand the reality of the Law then you are probably aware that human beings were in the grip of the Commanding Self.... Eventually, someone from among the people was selected and into his heart was poured the knowledge of what was needed to remedy the general malady. He was then inspired to convey that knowledge to the people and to make them follow it whether they liked it or not. The remedy proposed as a cure for this malady is called the Law.
This remedy only took into account man's specific form and general
characteristics-- not the particular capacities of certain individuals. Its
final purpose is to achieve deliverance from the wrongs done among the
people of this world and from the punishment of the grave and the day of
judgement.
Its purpose is not to enable man to achieve the stages of annihilation
and permanency in each of his faculties or to attain for himself the rank of
absolute permanency and complete establishment ...
... again, briefly, the substance of the system is this: there are two types
of energy found in man, the angelic and the animal. Each type has its own
supporting characteristics. What is required is that man should adorn
himself with the angelic properties so that the angelic faculties may become stronger and so that the animal faculties may be trained in their ways and take on their coloring.
However, this should not take place in such a way that the animal faculties become divested of their own nature, qualities and taste, or that their reality is turned upside down.
.....
Four Cardinal Virtues
If you think carefully, you will find that all kinds of goodness
are merely an elaboration of ... four virtues ; conversely, all types of
sin are merely an elaboration of their opposite characteristics. These four
virtues are precisely the ones which all the Prophets have exhorted the
people to imbibe. There can be no question of any change or abrogation with regard to these virtues. If there is any difference in what the various
lawgiver's say about them , this is only a matter of their outward form, not
their real substance.
The first virtue is purity. Through this, man is related to the angels.
The second is humility, by means of which man acquires an affinity with the exalted assembly.
The third is generosity: by cultivating this quality, man wipes out the stains
left by base human nature , such as the actions of animality and lust
still firmly rooted in his rational soul.
The fourth virtue is justice: it is through justice that a man may be pleasing in the sight of the exalted assembly, may gain favor with it, and receive its mercy and blessings.
The strategy of the law with regard to the foregoing is developed in two
directions. The first involves effecting a reformation through good deeds,
the abandonment of the major sins, and the establishment of the marks of
true religion. For these three things, the observances and limits are laid
down, and all followers of the law are required to abide by them. This is
the outward form of the Law and is called Islam.
The second direction consists in the purification of the various selves
through the reality of the four virtues and passing, from these forms of
goodness to the splendors which they contain, and progressing from the mere outward
abstention from sin to a repudiation of its very essence. This is the
inward form of the law, and it is called charity.
........
When the angelic energy is in conflict with the animal energy, the outcome
is bound to be one of three situations:
1. The animal energy will prevail and the angelic energy will be subdued to such an extent as [to] not be in evidence at all-- except on certain occasions, and even then it will be far from pleased with its own particular attributes.
If a man is dominated by his own evil and harmful actions, he is a
scoundrel; but if his evil and corrupt characteristics become even stronger, then such a person is called a hypocrite, since his actions are never free from hypocricy.
2. Alternatively, the angelic energy may have the animal energy firmly by the neck, but the latter still has its hands and feet free to continue the struggle. As long as the angelic energy does not slacken its grip and withdraw from the fight, such a person is called "a companion of the
right-hand side."
There are two possible explanations for the persistence of animal
energies in this situation:
On the one hand, either the aggressive energy or the intellectual energy may be inherently weak; such a person may perform many good actions, but the desired benefit of such actions cannot be realized.
On the other hand, these energes may have been created in a sound condition within him and yet he has failed to perform many good actions, having become dominated by his concern for his daily bread.
3. The third situation is found when the angelic energy finally achieves
victory and holds the animal soul in close captivity, shattering its base
desires and keeping it permanently starved. ...
In the case of this latter individual, two things are essential:
first, his agressive and intellectual energies must have been
created in a sound condition; and second, his intellect must have been
purified by the true articles of faith, and must have managed to seize
and subjugate the resolve of the heart.
This power of resolve... is then able to control the self. In this way the individual becomes entirely worthy of nearness to god.
from The Altaf al-Quds of Shah Waliullah
Shah Waliullah of Delhi
TRANSLATED BY G. N. JALBANI
REVISED AND EDITED BY David Pendlebury
The Sacred Knowledge is regarded as a fundamental text in both East and West by students of Sufi thought. Through Professor Jalbani’s rendering, the book shows how the 18th century mystic of Delhi discharged his task. In Waliullah’s own words, ‘The purpose behind writing this discourse is that only those problems pertaining to perception and the mystical unveiling are mentioned.’
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