THE WISDOM OF IBN ATA'ALLAH
(Excerpts Only)
Translation and Commentary by Shaykh
Fadhlalla Haeri
The
Hikam (Wisdom)
Section One
HIKMA
1
One of the signs
of depending on one’s own actions is the lack of hope when mistakes
occur.
If we assume that the
Source of Power behind our actions are from ourselves we will be
disappointed when the results do not match our expectations. But
when we are in true submission to the One, we will see the unity of
the origin and motive behind our acts, our personal role in carrying
them out, and their outcome. Faults will then be seen only as signs
for us to heighten our awareness of the divine will, mercy and
generosity. For enlightened beings there is total unity in actions
and outcomes.
HIKMA
2
Your desire for
divestment, even though Allah has established you with means, is an
aspect of hidden desire. And your desire to have means while Allah
has established you in [the state of] divestment is a comedown from
lofty aspiration.
If you
are given obvious or steady means to earn your keep it is
discourteous to desire that your provision come to you through
uncertain or unknown means. On the other hand, when one is in a
situation where the means of provision are not known the courtesy to
the One is not to seek secure and constant means. Dependence on
Allah requires acceptance of His Will and Ways of provision and
help. The wise seeker connects the outcomes and means with the
Source of Power and creations.
HIKMA 3
Competing
endeavours will not breach the ramparts of destinies.
No matter how much
energy you put into an intention or goal it will not be
realized if it is not in accordance with Allah’s
decree. You cannot superimpose your will on His, who governs
both the seen and unseen worlds and our destiny. What is expected of
a serious seeker is to focus intentions, attention and
endeavours on the Unique One Essence behind all manifestations and
occurrences.
HIKMA
4
Let your self be
at rest from self-concern. Do not undertake to do what someone else
has carried out on your behalf.
Allah, the Creator
and Sustainor reveals that He is the One that establishes ways and
means of provisions to satisfy needs. Thus the duty of the ‘Mu’min’
is to follow the Divine Will with ease and confidence and be
concerned with proper worship and heightened awareness and knowledge
of His Will. Be Allah’s guest and guard the courtesies worthy of the
Lord.
HIKMA 5
Your striving for
what is guaranteed for you, and being remiss in what is demanded of
you, are signs of blindness of your insight.
What the Creator has
intended for us is to strive for enlightenment and readiness for the
hereafter. Emotional battles and material insecurity are only dark
shadows that sidetrack and distract us from the path of success. Our
basic provisions and evolvement are guaranteed and where our efforts
and passion are needed is to dive into the ocean of divine Unicity
and follow our hearts’ true insight.
HIKMA 6
Do not despair
when in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in receiving
the expected gift. He has guaranteed that he will respond in what He
chooses for you, and not what you choose for yourself, and at the
time He chooses – not the time you desire.
Allah responds to the
yearning Du’as and calls from a sincere heart. Calls for help are
caused by His decrees to return to Him, thus the time and way that
His response comes about are in His loving hands. What is expected
of creation is to call upon, depend on and trust the perfect ways of
the Creator, for He always knows our true state and the appropriate
remedy and provisions for the journey unto Him.
HIKMA 7
To maintain proper
access to inner illumination we need to dispel all doubts regarding
divine perfections, justice, and the wisdom behind the unfoldment of
events in their proper sequence and time. What matters most is our
full submission and total trust in His Will and Purpose even though
we may have had a true inspiration and insight into an opening or
event, which does not take place.
HIKMA 8
If He opens a door
for you, thereby making Himself known to you, do not worry if your
deeds do not measure up [to this]. For truly, He did not open the
door for you, save that He desired to make Himself known to you. Do
you not know that the knowledge of Himself is what He presents to
you, whereas you presented Him with actions? What a difference
between that which you present to Him and that which He brings to
you!
We cannot measure
Allah’s total generosity, or compare it with our (illusions of)
sacrifices or pious actions. Whatever we present to the Creator is
insignificant in comparison to what He has already endowed us with
based on the ‘Fitrah ‘ and the Light of the Ruh (Spirit).
For indeed, He is the Creator and Container of all that is within
and around us, seen and unseen! Our deeds and actions are only signs
and preludes to the openings and relief, which were already present,
but to which we were veiled.
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