Illuminations by Mokhtar Mohsen Muhammad (Translated by Moustafa Elqabbany)

 


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Contents

  • Introduction by Professor Dr. Ali Gomaa xi
  • Author’s Introduction xiii

THE BOOK OF ILLUMINATIONS

  • The Purpose and Methodology of this Study 3
    • Reconciling Revelation and Sufi Teachings 3
    • The Importance of the Sheikh 6
  • Explaining the Reality of Illuminations (Ishrāqāt) 8
    • The Lexical Meaning of Illumination 8
    • The Terminological Meaning of Illumination 9
    • Types of Illumination: A Partial List 13

I. Inrush (Wārid)

  • Effects of the Inrush Depend on the Disciple (Murīd) 14
  • Nuance Regarding the Effects of Inrushes in Certain Seekers and the Reason for It 15
  • Should the Disciple Rejoice in Inrushes? 18
  • The Inrush after Remembrance (Dhikr) 19
  • The Sign of a Divine Inrush 20
  • Supplement: Some of Ibn ‘Atā’illāh’s Aphorisms Regarding Inrushes 20

II. Incoming Thoughts (Khawātir)

  • Criteria for Accepting Incoming Thoughts 25
  • Supplement: Eliminating Vile Incoming Thoughts—Importance and Means 26

III. Allusions (Ishārāt)

  • Allusions in the Noble Qur’an 30
  • Supplement: Another Possible Meaning of Allusion 33

IV. Disclosure (Kashf)

  • Is Disclosure Necessary for the Path (Tariq)? 37
  • Can Disclosure be False? Criteria for Its Acceptance 38
  • Obstacles to Disclosure 39
  • Major Companions and Disclosure 39
  • Supplement: The Aims of Disclosure on the Path to Allah 53

V. Inspiration (Ilhām)

  • Can Inspiration be Called ‘Revelation’ (Waḥy)? 60

VI. Breakthrough (Fatḥ)

  • Some Conditions for Receiving Breakthroughs 64
  • Effort (Mujāhadah) is the Key to Breakthrough 65
  • Do Not Rush Breakthroughs 66
  • Emptying the Heart of Others 67
  • Love of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ 67
  • Types of Breakthroughs 69
  • Supplement: A Collection of Comprehensive Quotes on Breakthrough 71
  • Note: The Meaning of Breakthrough with Respect to the Prophet ﷺ 73

VII. Visions (Ru’yā)

  • Vision are a Source of Good Tidings 79
  • Authoritativeness of Visions According to Scholars 80
  • Sufi Interpretation of Visions and their Types 85
  • Supplement: Visions of the Prophet ﷺ While Awake 95

VIII. Lights (Anwār)

  • Light as Divine Manifestation and Unveiling Supernatural Truths 104
  • Light Resulting from Faith 107
  • Light as the Divider Between Truth and Falsehood 108
  • Light as the Effect of Worship 110
  • The Lights of Progression Through the Stations of the Soul 111
  • Perceptible Lights 114
  • Important: Do Not be Distracted by Lights 116

IX. Secrets (Asrār)

  • Clarifying an Objection Regarding the Reality of Secrets 119
  • Secrets: Lexically and Terminologically 120
  • The Precise Meaning of ‘Secret’ and its Stations According to Ghazālī 122
  • Some Applications of Secrets and Sufi Directives Regarding Them 129
  • Secrets and Permission: Counsel from Ibn ‘Arabī 132
  • A Matter of Tafsīr Regarding Qur’an, 5:67 135

X. Observations (Mushāhadāt)

  • The Lexical and Terminological Meanings of Observation 138
  • The Reality of Observation, Its Station, and the Difference Between it, Copresence and Unveiling 139
  • Some Sufi Observations 141
  • Observations are the Fruits of Worship 145
  • The Station of Prophethood and The Prophetic Degree of Observation 147

XI. Marvels (Karāmāt)

  • Marvels: Lexically and Terminologically 153
  • The Reality of Sainthood (Wilāyah) 159
  • Distinguishing Marvels from Other Illuminations 161
  • Some Established Sufi Maxims Regarding Marvels 165

XII. Clairaudient Messages (Masmū‘āt)

  • The Lexical and Terminological Meanings of Clairaudient Messages 179
  • Types of Clairaudient Messages 180
  • Clairaudient Messages Must Conform to the Sharia 186
  • Coincidental Clairaudient Messages 188

XIII. Telepathy (Takhātur)

  • Sufi Definition of Telepathy and Its Relationship to Perspicacity 193
  • The Wisdom Behind Telepathy 195
  • Types of Telepathy 196
  • Supplement: Some Conditions for the Veracity of Telepathy and Perspicacity 205

XIV. Insight (Baṣīrah)

  • Definition of Insight 208
  • Attainment of Illumination and Its Effects 209

XV. Mystic Insight into Spiritual Realities (Ma‘rifat al-Ḥaqā’iq)

  • The Meaning of Mystic Insight and Its Levels 214
  • The Definition of Realities According to Sufi Masters 215
  • Spiritual Realities: Details and How They Appear 216
  • The Condition for Knowledge of Spiritual Realities 216
  • A Heart Prepared to Know Spiritual Realities 216
  • Knowing The Reality of Oneself is Knowing Allah 217
  • The Muhammadan Reality is The Reality of All Realities 217

XVI. Cosmic Agency (Taṣrīf) or the Fulfillment of Prayers

  • The Evidence of Cosmic Agency from the Book of Allah 219
  • The Lexical and Terminological Meanings of Cosmic Agency 221
  • Sheikh Muhammad Zakī Ibrahīm’s Exposition of the Meaning of Cosmic Agency 221
  • Sufi Citations on the Cosmic Agency of Some Saints 224

XVII. Speaking in Tongues (Lughāt) 235

XVIII. Astral Projection (Al-Ṭarḥ al-Rūḥī)

  • The Nature of Astral Projection 249
  • Imam Sha‘rānī’s Astral Projection 250
  • Our Master Uways Qarnī’s Astral Projection 252
  • Imam Suyūṭī’s Anecdotes on Some Who Have Experienced Astral Projection 253

IXX-XX. Conformance (Tawfīq) and Agreement (Tawāfuq)

  • Definitions 258
  • How Are They Illuminations? 258
  • Examples 259

Endnotes 265

Index of Qur’anic Verses Cited 279

Index of Hadiths Cited 284

General Index 287



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