Perfection

The perfection of the Thariiqah is Shalaat itself, which is the Witnessing of al-Wujuud adz-Dzaatiyyah (Allaah Ta'aalaa), known as al-Musyaahadah al-Hudhuuriyyah. As Divine Command ('Amr al-Qadr), Shalaat is the Total Manifestation of 'Aalam Laahuut (al-Martabah al-Ghayb al-Muthlaq) in 'Aalam Syahaadah. Of all the constitutive elements of the Noble Syarii'ah, we know that only Shalaat was revealed directly to the Holy Prophet (s) in Allaah's Presence, in the State of Origin of Origins, without an intermediary whatsoever, without the presence of Hadhrat Jibra'il (a), that is, at the Highest Point during his blessed Mi'raaj, where none prevails but Allaah, al-Haqq 'Azza wa Jalla, His Essence, His Oneness.

Shalaat, with its totality of configurations (Dzikr and Harakaat), is the Whole Universe unified in itself, al-Kaun al-Jaami'. As such, of all the creations of Allaah, only Man can perform it, thereby truly worshiping Allaah. This is the 'Amr which Allaah has offered, in a challenging way, to the mountains, seas, planets, stars, heavens, etc., only for them to refuse it out of humble incapacity. Therefore, know and uphold this Honor, which is a gift from the Prophet's Mi'raaj!

In Shalaat, Qiyaam represents Allaah's Essential He-ness (Primacy) and Oneness, al-Huwiyyah al-Ahadiyyah ash-Shamadiyyah. Rukuu' encompasses the 'Arsy (al-Walaayah), the Distance of Two-Bows' Length (Qabaa Qawasayn) and whatever secrets it contains. Following this, Sujuud is referred to in the Qur'aan as the Station of 'Closer Still', which is al-'Ayn al-Ghayb al-Ahadiyyah, the Station of Absolute Prophethood (Nubuwwah al-Muthlaq), where the Mushalli is said to 'disappear from creationality', witnessed and absorbed only by Allaah in His Essential Oneness. This is the very Station of our Most Beloved Prophet, Sayyidinaa Muhammad, who alone is 'Abd Allaah. In it is the Secret of Complete Annihilation and Sustenance in Allaah's Essence. Additionally, afterwards, Tasyahhud represents the State of Allaah's Representative in 'Aalam Syahaadah (Khaliifah, or al-Martabah al-'Adamiyyah al-Malakiyyah), who has completed the Mi'raaj and received the grace and secrets of the Names and Attributes of Allaah by means of witnessing the Muhammadan Reality in the Divine Solitary Presence (al-Hadhrah al-Ahadiyyah), which is endowed upon him by means of 'Overflowing' (Faydha).

Shalaat represents the Maqaam of Sayyidinaa Muhammad, the Seal and Master of Prophets, which is said to be 'neither of the East nor of the West', neither merely outward (zhaahir) nor merely inward (baathin), for such still represents creational division, but rather at the Unifying, Self-Inclusive Origin. Hence, Shalaat encompasses Syarii'ah, Thariiqah, Haqiiqah, and Ma'rifah at once, in the most perfect sense. It is the Tree of Absolute Certainty, Syajarah al-Yaqiin, from which springs forth the Abundance of Reality, al-Kautsar. Its foundation and pillars are Divine Knowledge, 'Ilm al-Yaqiin. Its heart is the everlasting Fruit of Musyaahadah, which is Haqq al-Yaqiin. Islaam, the greatest of religions, in fact, THE ONLY RELIGION, stands entirely on the Pillar of Shalaat. Islaam excels all other religions precisely because of its own Reality, because of the completeness of Shalaat and the perfection of the Way towards knowing Allaah, al-Ahad, as He should be known.

Always remember, beloveds of Allaah, that Tashawwuf, described in a single word, is none other than Shalaat. Other definitions, at this essential stage, are not acceptable. While the Primacy of Allaah's Existence in 'Aalam Syahaadah can be known by means of logic and reflection, only a perfect 'Aarif, Wali, Zaahid, and Mushalli may know Allaah as Allaah, that is, Allaah as He should really be known in Himself, in His own Essence, in His own Oneness (for whom the verbal Syahaadah simply becomes 'Huwa Huwa'). For this reason, Syaikh al-Akbar Ibn al-'Arabi (r) has said, "For Ahl al-Haqiiqah, the only Tangible Reality in the Universe is Allaah, while the rest (multiplicity, al-katsrah) is merely sensible. For ordinary people, it is the contrary." That is, once the Saalik has arrived at the Divine Presence (a state referred to as al-Wushuul), he is able to see Allaah in Allaah, whether or not the creational Universe, in its entirety, exists. This is because the Perfect Man (al-Insaan al-Kaamil), who himself is the Unifying Great Name (al-Ism al-A'zham al-Jam'iyyah), is Allaah's Essential Image (Shuurah adz-Dzaatiyyah), while the entire Universe is but a mirror in its restricted appearance, displaying that Image as well as Allaah's Names and Attributes.

Those who deviate from the notion that Shalaat is Primary, Waajib (Fardh 'Ayn), while saying, "We are the people of Haqiiqah, no longer are we bounded by anything; what is the use of Shalaat (Syarii'ah), which is only for lay people?" are known as Sufi-claimers and zindiiqs. They are idiots who merely pretend to be capable of philosophizing. They are slaves of their own nafsi imaginations and wanderings. Without Allaah's Mercy, they shall be blind eternally, though they may appear to enjoy it, mistaking Imagination (Khayaal) for Divine Knowledge (Ma'rifah al-Ilaahiyyah), 'Aalam Mitsaal for 'Aalam Laahuut, and Shadow (Zill) for the Real (al-Haqq). May Allaah protect us all from them, from their teachings.

Let us honor the Most Beloved Prophet (s) on his birthday by perfecting our Shalaat. This is mostly a reminder for myself, a sinner who is ashamed of how far he is left behind the Caravan of Love and Knowledge of Ahl Allaah. Don't be like me in my laziness, but hasten towards Allaah, towards His Infinite Mercy and Beautitude, through the Available Means.