Nur Muhammad and the Seven Degrees of Manifestation

Nur Muhammad and the Seven Degrees of Manifestation

BismilLaah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem

"Allaahu is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of Hu's Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allaahu guides whom Hu wills to Hu's Light: Allaahu sets forth Parables for men: and with Allaahu is the Knowledge of all things." (QS. an-Nur (24): 35)

O Salik,

We know that the three "layers" of Man are: the body (al-jism), the mind (an-nafs), and the spirit (ar-ruh). Let us now reflect on the innermost part of Man whom the Sufis, in particular, al-Hallaj (radhi Allaahu 'anhu wa qaddasalLaahu sirrah), Ibn 'Arabi (radhi Allaahu 'anhu wa qaddasalLaahu sirrah), and al-Jilli (radhi Allaahu 'anhu wa qaddasalLaahu sirrah), call the Light of the Holy Prophet, "Nur Muhammad", or the Reality of the Holy Prophet, "al-Haqiqah al-Muhammadiyya".

Know that the Reality of the Holy Prophet (shalla Allaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is the Cause of all exsitential manifestations. The elevated Sufis, to whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) entrusts with the Secret, Mystic Knowledge of Hu's Essence, know this through a process of realization known as Unveiling (Kasyf) which is one of the ways by which Allaahu honors Hu's lovers in Hu's Intimate Presence. Nur Muhammad is said to be the Primordial Material for creation. Creation is to be perceived as the act of manifestation of the infinite forms within Hu's boundless Knowledge ('Ilm) that these forms may testify to the Reality of realities, al-Haqq within and without themselves.

In the Holy Qur'an, the Unity of Existential Reality is revealed as "A.L.M." (Alif Laam Miim): Alif stands for Allaahu, al-Wajib al-Wujud (al-Haqq, the Primary Being), Laam stands for Hu's hidden and manifest realities, and Miim stands for Muhammad, the Perfect Manifestation (al-Insan al-Kamil) of Hu's Essence, the Reflective Void of Hu's Essential Attributes ('Adam), the Comprehensive Seal of Hu's Names. Let us therefore reflect on the Muhammadan Reality for the sake of embelishing our own spiritual station, for I have asked for permission from the Holy Prophet (SAW) to inspire in your heart the Essential State of Oneness (al-Martabah al-Ahadiyya) of Allaahu with its corresponding seven degrees of manifestation.

Know that the Reality of the Holy Prophet (SAW), the Perfect Knower (al-'Arif al-Kamil), the Sign of Hu's Power (Qudrat), the Seal of Hu's Secrets (Asrar), can only be understood by us through following the ascending stages (ma'arij) of Shari'ah, Thariqah, and Haqiqah. Therefore the Knowledge of Nur Muhammad is only for those who are constantly engaged with safeguarding themselves from heedlessness. It is to these people, who are purified through keeping Shari'ah, Thariqah, and Haqiqah intact, that Allaahu opens the locks to the treasures of the heart and explains secrets from the Unseen. This is the beginning of the Knowledge of al-Haqq (Ma'rifat).

The Holy Prophet (SAW), in a hadith related to us by at-Tirmidzi (radhi Allaahu 'anhu), says:

"Awwalu maa khalaqallaahu Nuuran."

"The very first that Allaahu created was Light."

Furthermore, as related by Jabir ibn 'AbdulLaah (radhi Allaahu 'anhu), he (SAW) says:

"Awwalu maa khalaqallaahu Nuura Nabiyyika, yaa Jaabir... Wa khalaqa minhu al-asy yaa'a, wa anta mintilka al-asy-yaa'i."

"O Jabir, the very first that Allaahu created was the Light of your Prophet. Allaahu created all things through this Light. And you are one of those."

"Anaa minalLaahi wa al-mu'minuuna minii."

"I am directly from Allaahu and the people of realization (i.e., those who comprehend the Light of Islaam) are from me."

"InnalLaaha khalaqa ruuha an-nabiyyi shallalLaahu 'alaihi wa sallama min Dzaatihi wa khalaqa al-'aalama bi asrihi min nuuri Muhammadin shallalLaahu 'alaihi wa sallama."

"Verily, Allaahu created the Spirit of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) directly from Hu's Essence, then Hu created the whole Universe of forms and (veiled) all its secrets with the Light of Muhammad (SAW)."

"Yaa Jabir, innalLaaha khalaqa qabla al-asy-yaa'i buura nabiyyika min nuurihi."

"O Jabir, verily, Allaahu created the Light of your Prophet from Hu's own Light, before he brought forth all existences into being."

As such, the Holy Prophet (SAW) is the Dawn and the Light of all existences. As a consequence, he is the Master of the Kingdom of Guidance, the Summit of Comprehension, in the hierarchy of graded realities.

In a hierarchical sense, Nur Muhammad is the third of Hu's seven degrees of manifestation. Know that Allaahu has seven degrees of manifestation as follows:

1. Al-Martabah al-Ahadiyya

This translates into the Primordial State of Absolute Singularity (Oneness or Uniqueness). This is the state in which al-Haqq uniquely, absolutely exists alone in Hu's own Singularity ("Solitude"). As such, this is a state beyond comparison. Nothing of representational nature can compare to this state. It is the state of Absolute Nothingness (Void) in which Hu exists alone in Incomprehensible, Indescribable Silence. In this state, al-Haqq has no name nor attribute. Nor does Hu perform anything nor act. In this State, Hu is Hu, all alone, in Absolute Oneness, untouched (unnecessitated) by names, attributes, actions. This is the state devoid of duality (multiplicity) of any sort. Know that the Word (Name) "Hu" hides the Reality of the Absolute Unity, Silence, and Solitude of Allaahu in this State.

2. Al-Martabah al-Wahdaniyya

In this state, al-Haqq has names. Know that the name "Allaahu" is a direct representation of the unnamed Essence. It reflects That-Which-Encompasses all by (simply) Being. In this state, al-Haqq can be mentioned (referred to) as "God the Most High", in different languages, traditions, and religions. As such, in this state, Hu can already be "felt" or "sensed" since now Hu has attributes that lead to Hu's actions.

3. Al-Martabah al-Wahidiyya

In this state, Hu desires "multiplicity" and desires to reveal Hu's Essence by means of the First Intellect and the First Pure Emotion in the form of Light known as Nur Muhammad, the Foundational Form of Existence. According to a hadith qudsi, "I was a Hidden Treasure and I desired to be known. Therefore I brought forth existences (i.e., created)." This is the Reality of the Holy Prophet (SAW). The Light is named "Muhammad" since it is of the Purest, Most Exalted Essence, al-Hamd (the Praise-Worthy), by which Hu spans the Structure of Reality in hierarchical degrees and reveals Hu's Self to the countless manifest forms therein. It is only by means of Nur Muhammad that we can comprehend the secrets of al-Haqq. It is said that Nur Muhammad is the Mirror in which Hu sees Hu's Self. This refers to the state of Perfect Purity in which no "veils" exist between the Creator and the Creation. As such, the discovery of Intimacy takes place in this state. Nur Muhammad is neither the Creator nor a Creation but the Isthmus (al-Barzarkh) between the Two, the Primordial Reality that bears the Unity (the Sweetness of Tauhid) of the Two.

4. Al-Martabah al-'Alm al-Arwah

This the manifestation of al-Haqq in the first plane of existence of created beings. Beings in this plane of existence are of the most diaphanous form known as spirits (arwah). The word "ruh" (singular of "arwah") means "breath", indicating the One that breathes. Here the spirits still manifestly bear the characteristics of the Void due to their nearness to the first existential state in which nothing but Hu exists. Hence their forms are imperceptible. They live in a realm of sublime peace. Reality here is said to be overwhelmingly silent and proceeds at a glacial pace. It is a Reality of Austere Unity. Individuation is not so pronounced here, i.e., there is almost no border between beings here. The forms (i.e., spirits) here are fully conscious of al-Haqq, their Sustainer, Cherisher, and Evolver (Rabb), since they see Hu with the Light of the Holy Prophet (Nur Muhammad). It is in this plane of existence that Allaahu asks each of the spirits, "Am I not your Lord?" In the state of surrendering love and with full knowledge of Hu's Reality, each of them affirms that indeed Hu is their Lord.

5. Al-Martabah al-'Alm al-Misal

This the manifestation of al-Haqq in the second plane of existence of created beings, in which they receive their manifest forms made of graded lights. Heaven, hell, angels, jinns, human minds, etc. become manifest in this plane of existence. Each one of these beings is endowed with freewill, because Hu, out Hu's Infinite Love and Mercy, has willed that manifest existence shall not be puppet-like and that the goals of existence cannot be satisfied through manipulation. Due to their still hidden (ghayb) nature, beings here still cannot be easily sensed, and are largely unseen (relative to the beings that inhabit the phyisical world). Reality here is said to be "porous" and still "transparent". Individuation is more pronounced here than it is in the previous state, although it is still less than it is in the next one.

6. Al-Martabah al-Ajsam

This is the outermost state of the Divine Manifestation. The continuum that manifests this state is known as the Physical Universe that encloses animate (self-conscious) beings endowed with physical bodies as well as inanimate (unconscious) objects. It is here that the laws (axioms) of Physics and Mathematics emerge from the state of primordial complexity (which is not inherently random!). In fact, space and time and all the objects around us arise from a deep, hidden Sea of Hu's Knowledge, which everywhere displays a Vastly Superior Principle of Organization or Intelligence. However, a typical being in this plane of existence is said to exist behind 30,000 veils that separate him from the Unique Primordial Essence. As such, he is typically unaware of the depths of things, let alone the Silent Reality (the Void, al-Haqq) that sustains these things. It therefore requires intense meditation and hard work to reach a state in which "things are shown the way they really are". Know that this world lulls you to sleep most of the time! This is the true al-'Alm al-Qubr because the majority of beings here are veiled from their Lord. Most of us can be said to be "dead" here, not yet "alive", in contrast to our common assumption. So thick are the veils that one typically feels disconnected from each other. The feeling of interconnection between beings is often lost. The ego reigns and creates an intense sense of seperation. Individuation is so intensely pronounced. Only those who know the secrets of death can truly open the doors to Life. Life here is the greatest test for our awareness of al-Haqq, and hence for the question, "Am I not your Lord?"

7. Al-Martabah al-Insan al-Kamil

This refers to the state in which Hu has granted Full Unveiling on a created being in the physical plane of existence who has freed himself from the reign of his nafs and hence death. In reality, the term al-Insan al-Kamil (al-Insan al-Kabir), the Perfect Man, refers uniquely to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). However, there are beings who have devoided themselves of everything except Love of Allaahu in the Way of the Holy Prophet (SAW) in the Light of Guidance (an-Nur al-Huda). Hence, they have devoided themselves of everything except Allaahu's Oneness, refusing for themselves all titles and aspirations. As such, they have become fit to receive the Light of the Holy Prophet (Nur Muhammad) and its mysteries. They are the Perfected Beings, the Images of the One Perfect Being, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) himself. Such a Perfect Being is he who realizes the full esoteric meaning of the saying, "O Allaahu, You are One, and I am one in Your Oneness." In his time, he is the Qiblah (Focus of attention) of the people of realization and an Ocean of Knowledge from which seekers (those who aspire to know the Truth) receive waves of the Prophetic Light in the form of divine analytic wisdom (spiritual knowledge). It is for the sake of al-Insan al-Kamil that the manifest worlds came into being. In him are all stations united. In himself, he encompasses all realites and secrets: he represents the Summit of existences.

Allaahu knows best.

Ishq,

{Dani}