Posted by: theMajlis
WHAT IS mA’RIFAT Ma’rifat is a special guidance which Allah Ta’ala inspires into the purified heart of the Mu’min. There are two kinds of Ma’rifat— Istidlaali and Shuhoodi. Istidlaali is the ability to reach Allah Ta’ala by intellectual deduction on the basis of observation of the wonders created by Allah Ta’ala. Contemplation on His creation leads to man’s recognition of Allah Ta’ala. The following Qur’aanic aayat states this type of Ma’rifat: "Soon shall We show them Our signs in the horizons (of the heavens and earth), and in their own beings."
The true Ulama of Taqwa are grounded in this type of Ma’rifat. By observing the wonderful signs of Allah Ta’ala they reach their Creator. This category of Ma’rifat is also acquired by such pure souls to whom certain things of the unseen realm have been revealed, i.e. by way of Kashf (divine inspiration which removes the veils which conceal reality). Such persons make their deduction on both material and spiritual objects to reach the Reality of Allah Ta’ala. The deductions and conclusions based on only the external or physical realm are deficient. The conclusions will be perfect only if Baatini (spiritual) insight also accompanies the intellectual deductions based on the physical realm. The second kind of Ma’rifat is called Shuhoodi. Those who have been blessed with this wealth attain Allah Ta’ala without any deductive process. They acquire His Recognition instantaneously by way of spiritual perception and recognition. They are not dependent on the external realm or the physical world to understand the greatness and reality of Allah Ta’ala. The Siddiqeen (Auliya of high rank) are the ones grounded in this type of Ma’rifat. This Ma’rifat is also called Yaqeen and Ihsaan. The knowledge of things is acquired from Khaaliq (Allah The Creator), not from observation of creation. EXISTENCE OF THE HEART Wahi (Divine Revelation) descended to Nabi Daawood (alayhis salaam): "O Daawood! Do you know what My Ma’rifat is?" Nabi Daawood replied: "O Allah! I do not know." Allah Ta’ala revealed to him: "It is the existence of the heart in the substratum of My perception." When the devotee is able to perceive Allah Ta’ala with his spiritual eyes, he has then acquired Divine Ma’rifat. In a Hadith-e-Qudsi, Allah Ta’ala addressing His devotee says: "O My servant! Become abstemious (develop Taqwa) so that you may recognize Me. Remain hungry so that you may see Me. Become emancipated (from the fetters of the world and nafs) so that you attain My Ma’rifat and Ibaadat." SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS "He who is blind in this world, will likewise be blind in the Aakhirah. (In fact) he will be more astray (and lost) from the Path." (Qur’aan) A man whose baatin (soul) is bereft of the Noor of Ma’rifat and lacks spiritual perception of realities is blind even if his physical eyes have vision. Therefore, a person who is involved in futility will not be a repository for divine Taufeeq. He will not be blessed with the Ma’rifat of Allah. Such a spiritually blind man is cast far away by Allah Ta’ala because of his engrossment in the desires of the nafs. He is thus deprived of the perception of the Divine Attributes of Allah Ta’ala.
| 
