…None
can inform you (of the truth), like He (Allah), who is aware of all things.
(Fatır:14)
The one who can offer you the truth, is Zat-ı kibriya – Allah (SWT) in all his greatness, who is aware of
everything…and no other deliverer of news.
This wisdom is
retained within the one he wills to instil it into. The greatest treasure, is the
treasury within which the most riches are hoarded, yet the riches do not belong
to the treasury, but he who stored them there.
Water gushes from a
tap, but it is not of it, neither does it belong to it. For when the true
source ceases to yield water, nothing will flow from the tap.
There are two kinds of
Ilm, wisdom: the wisdom of Sadr-
the wisdom of the heart; and the wisdom of Satr-
which is the wisdom and knowledge of the lines…wisdom which is recorded,
written in the form of men’s words, as lines upon pages, within books. Thus the
wisdom of Satr is gained through reading, and hearing, acquired in madrasa’s[1]
and schools. The owners of this knowledge, are the inheritors of Shariah’s
exterior façade. They instruct and carry out the laws of Shariah.
Reaching Haqq[2],
depends upon the practice of these laws. Any kind of work or worship which
conflicts with these laws are prohibited. This is why Shariah is so important,
first and foremost.
The wisdom of Sadr, on
the other hand, is the wisdom that Allah (SWT) places in men’s hearts, and is also known as ilm-ul Marifah. The ahl, or people of Marifah, have reached this object and are aware
and perceptive of ilm-ul Marifah. Their state of being is similar to that of a
bird with two wings, which enable it to take flight, and reach a land; an
understanding of the exterior and face-value as well as those which are hidden
in the deep.
The wisdom of Sadr is
hidden, the wisdom of Satr is on the surface.
The wisdom of Sadr is
private and reserved for certain individuals, the wisdom of Satr is general,
universal, and open to all.
The wisdom of Sadr is
retained for states of experience, the wisdom of Satr limited to actions.
The wisdom of Sadr is meant
for meditation, the wisdom of Satr is meant for dealings and procedures.
The wisdom of Sadr is the
wisdom of perception, the wisdom of Satr is the wisdom of declaration and
explanation.
The wisdom of Sadr is the
wisdom of hidayah, of guidance, the
wisdom of Satır is the wisdom of riwaya,
of revelation.
The wisdom of Sadr, when
possessed, enables the possessor to realise that in truth, there is no evidence
of Him, but Himself, whereas, the wisdom of Satr is the perception of Allah’s
craft and calling, in everything that exists.
Those on the surface learn
in order to teach. They attest to greatness with the increase of their
knowledge, taking pride in their worth.
As for those below the
surface; with the increase of their knowledge, the people of hidden things,
attest to their futility.
While one acquires knowledge
for the people, the other acquires knowledge for Haqq.
One receives his reward from
the people, the other from Haqq.
One sees himself and not
Haqq, the other sees only Haqq and not himself.
