FIFTH SECTION · Eighth Article
Eighth Article
It reports the rulings regarding the tremors (twitches, spasms) observed on the skin due to the stoppage of blood flow in the vessels within the human body.
O dear one! It should be known that the philosophers have said:
Verse
1—Twitching at the crown of the head
Gives news of striving.
The twitching of the top of the head indicates rank and position.
2—Twitching at the front of the head
Is a sign of prosperity.
The twitching of the front part of the head is an indication of a good blessing and prosperity.
3—Twitching at the side of the head
Makes the right and left auspicious.
The twitching of the side of the head brings goodness to both the right and the left of the person.
4—Twitching of the forehead
Joy on the right, news on the left.
The twitching of the forehead means joy and entertainment on the right, news on the left.
5—Twitching of the eyebrow
Friendship on both right and left.
From the twitching of the eyebrow, both right and left sides become friendship.
6—If the middle twitches
Right is delight, left is sorrow.
If the middle of the eyebrow twitches, the right is delight, the left is grief.
7—If the end twitches
Right is sorrow, left is joy.
If the end of the eyebrow twitches, the right is sorrow, the left is joy and exuberance.
8—Twitching of the eyelid
Blame on the right, adornment on the left.
The twitching of the eyelid is blame on the right, adornment and beauty on the left.
9—Twitching of the pupil
Distress on the right, joy on the left.
The twitching of the pupil is distress on the right, joy and happiness on the left.
10—Twitching of the eye corner
Light on the right, gain of wealth on the left.
The twitching of the corner of the eye is light on the right, acquisition of wealth on the left.
11—Twitching under the eye
Light on the right, anger on the left.
The twitching of the lower part of the eye is light on the right, anger on the left.
12—Twitching of the cheek
Goodness on the right, wealth on the left.
The twitching of the cheek is goodness on the right, wealth on the left.
13—Twitching of the nose
Wrath on the right, rank on the left.
The twitching of the nose is wrath on the right, rank on the left.
14—Twitching above the lip
Sustenance on the right, joy on the left.
The twitching of the upper lip is sustenance on the right, joy and happiness on the left.
15—Twitching at the corner of the lip
Harm on the right, joy on the left.
The twitching of the tip of the lip is harm on the right, joy on the left.
16—Twitching under the lip
Goodness on both right and left.
The twitching of the lower lip on both right and left is always beauty.
17—Twitching of the chin
Joy on the right, beauty on the left.
The twitching of the chin is joy and entertainment on the right, beauty on the left.
18—Twitching of the ear
Good news on both right and left.
The twitching of the ear indicates good news on both right and left.
19—Twitching of the throat
Wealth on the right, sorrow on the left.
The twitching of the throat is a sign of wealth on the right, sorrow on the left.
20—Twitching of the shoulder
Sorrow on the right, grief on the left.
The twitching of the shoulder is a sign of sorrow on the right, grief on the left.
21—Twitching of the upper arm
Sustenance on the right, wealth on the left.
The twitching of the upper arms is a sign of sustenance on the right, wealth on the left.
22—Twitching of the forearm bone [22]
Good news on both right and left.
The twitching of the forearm bone is a sign of good news on both right and left.
23—Twitching of both forearm bones
Useless work on the right, blame on the left.
The twitching of both forearm bones is useless work on the right, blame on the left.
24—Twitching of the wrist
Wealth on the right, pursuit of sustenance on the left.
The twitching of the wrist is wealth on the right, pursuit of sustenance on the left.
25—Twitching of the back of the hand
Sorrow on the right, honor on the left.
The twitching of the back of the hand is sorrow on the right, honor on the left.
26—Twitching of the palm
Sustenance and wealth on both right and left.
The twitching of the palm is sustenance and wealth on both right and left.
27—Twitching of the thumb
Burden on the right, sorrow on the left.
The twitching of the thumb is a burden on the right, sorrow on the left.
28—If the index finger twitches
Means causes or means on both right and left.
The twitching of the index finger is causes or means on both right and left.
29—Twitching of the middle finger
Sorrow on the right, joy on the left.
The constant twitching of the middle finger is sorrow on the right, joy on the left.
30—Twitching of the ring finger
Rank on the right, grief on the left.
The twitching of the ring finger is rank on the right, grief on the left.
31—Twitching of the little finger
Goodness on the left, wealth on the right.
The twitching of the little finger is goodness on the left, wealth on the right.
32—Twitching of the chest
Sorrow on the right, joy on the left.
The twitching of the chest is sorrow on the right, joy and happiness on the left.
33—Twitching of the female breast
Rank on the right, joy and exuberance on the left.
The twitching of the woman’s breast is rank on the right, joy and exuberance on the left.
34—Twitching of the abdomen
Union on the right, desire on the left.
The twitching of the abdomen is union on the right, desire and aspiration on the left.
35—Twitching of the navel
Sorrow on the right, happiness on the left.
The twitching of the navel is sorrow on the right, happiness on the left.
36—Twitching of the side of the body
Distress on the right, wealth on the left.
The twitching of one of the sides of the body is distress on the right, wealth on the left.
37—Twitching of the empty flank
Sustenance on the left, rank on the right.
The twitching of the empty side is sustenance on the left, rank and position on the right.
38—Twitching of the thigh
Happiness on the right, son on the left.
The twitching of the thigh is happiness on the right, son on the left.
42—Twitching of the thigh
Ease on the right, journey on the left.
The twitching of the thigh is ease on the right, journey on the left.
43—Twitching of the kneecap
Sorrow on the right, joy on the left.
The twitching of the kneecap is sorrow on the right, joy on the left.
44—If under the kneecap twitches
Road on the right, sorrow on the left.
The twitching under the kneecap is road on the right, sorrow on the left.
45—Twitching of the shin
Wealth on the right, rank on the left.
The twitching of the shin region is wealth on the right, rank and position on the left.
46—Twitching of the outer shin
Road on the right, sustenance on the left.
The twitching of the outer shin is road on the right, sustenance on the left.
47—Twitching of the inner shin
Wealth on the right, separation on the left.
The twitching of the inner shin is wealth on the right, separation on the left.
48—Twitching of the heel
Union on the right, journey on the left.
The twitching of the heel is wealth on the right, journey on the left.
49—Twitching of the sole of the foot
Sorrow on the right, happiness on the left.
The twitching of the sole of the foot is sorrow on the right, happiness on the left.
50—Twitching of the hand and heel
Walking on the right, wealth on the left.
The twitching of the hand and heel is walking on the right, wealth on the left.
51—If the palm twitches
Walking on the right, honor on the left.
The twitching of the palm is walking on the right, honor on the left.
52—Twitching of the thumb
Wealth on the right, attainment of desire on the left.
The twitching of the thumb is wealth on the right, attainment of one’s wish on the left.
53—The second finger twitches
Good news on both right and left.
The twitching of the second finger is good news on both right and left.
54—Twitching of the middle fingers
Dispute on both right and left.
The twitching of the middle fingers is dispute on both right and left. [146/b]
55—Twitching of the ring finger
Dispute on the right, joy on the left.
The twitching of the ring finger is dispute on the right, joy on the left.
56—Twitching of the little finger
Sustenance and wealth on both right and left.
The twitching of the little finger is sustenance and wealth on both right and left.
57—If any place twitches
Observe that place.
If any place twitches, observe it.
58—Recall the rulings in this matter
And trust in them without doubt.
Remember what we have said on this matter and trust in them without any hesitation.
59—Why does a vein twitch?
It is Allah Who causes it to tremble.
If a vein trembles, it is Allah Who causes it to tremble.
60—Understand its indications
And await its glad tidings.
Understand the indications given by this means, and await what is to come.
Verse
Whoever’s soul perceives the indication,
Let their tongue rejoice with glad tidings.
In contemporary Turkish
Whoever perceives the indications, let their heart be illuminated with glad tidings.
The benefits of knowing the anatomy of the body and soul (the science of anatomy), the characteristics, subtleties, and details of human organs are actually very extensive, but these examples and explanations—even though they are summaries—are sufficient to serve as evidence and assistance for our main purpose, which is to know Allah the Exalted.
For it is necessary to look with wonder and contemplation at the subtle arts of the Creator the Exalted present in every limb of the noble human being, who was created in the best of forms and who contains within himself the essence of both worlds. When one looks with deep contemplation and remembrance, it becomes clear that both reason and knowledge are incapable and deficient in comprehending and explaining these things. The human intellect is bewildered in expressing and writing these matters.
We glorify Allah, Who created and shaped man in the most beautiful form. He is free from all deficiency and imperfection. He is the best of friends and the best of helpers. We glorify Allah, the best of creators. His glory is exalted.
[16]. Ahlāt-ı erba‘a: In ancient medicine, the four elements or humors assumed to be present in the human body: blood, phlegm, bile, spleen.
[17]. Sā‘id: The part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist.
[18]. “Allāhumma’f‘al binā fi’d-dīni wa’d-dunyā mā anta lahu ahlun wa lā taf‘al binā yā mawlānā mā naḥnu lahu ahlun, innaka ghafūrun ḥalīmun jawādun karīmun ra’ūfun raḥīmun ḥamīdun majīdun.”
[19]. This verse is not found in the manuscript copy.
[20]. ‘Ilm al-qiyāfa: The knowledge of deducing inner qualities from a person’s face and outward appearance.
[21]. Anīs al-qalb is also the famous qasida written by Fuzūlī as a response to the Persian poets Khusraw-i Dihlawī and Mawlā Jāmī.
[22]. Zend: The inner of the two bones in the forearm (sā‘id), radius, cubitus.
Come, O moon of Truth, forget the creation. Transcend this selfhood, make yourself as dust.
Purge your qalb (the heart)—which is the locus of Allah’s gaze—from all that is other than Him (mā siwā). Realize that He is “anīs al-qulūb” (the friend of hearts).
Shatter the laws of physics with the love of the Truth.
The reason the shoulders and arms (sā‘id) are thus is so that one may embrace the beloved. The hands, fingers, and nails being created as such a great work of art is for countless benefits and skills. The thumb being thick and short, and being able to withstand pressure when opposed to the four fingers, is for this reason.
Thus, the Exalted Allah, the Generous Shaper (al-Muṣawwir al-Mannān), has bestowed upon the noble head of man fine hair from the vapor of the four humors (ahlāt-ı erba‘a) present in the human body, and from the vapor of the testicles (ḥayā) has caused hair to grow on the faces and chests of men. Thus, women are adorned with hair, men are distinguished by beards, and both are characterized by two eyebrows. The blackness of the hair is due to an excess of vapor in the person; its yellowness is due to an excess of phlegm; its whiteness is due to a deficiency of natural heat. The decrease of natural heat is due to excessive sexual intercourse (mujāma‘a) and sorrow. The light of the forehead is the joy of hearts. The two eyebrows are the shade of the two eyes and, like a full moon, two crescents above the eyes.
. Sā‘id: The part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist.
. Ahlāt-ı erba‘a: In ancient medicine, the four elements or humors assumed to be present in the human body: blood, phlegm, bile, spleen.
. Zend: The inner of the two bones in the forearm (sā‘id), radius, cubitus.
. ‘Ilm al-qiyāfa: The knowledge of deducing inner qualities from a person’s face and outward appearance.
. Anīs al-qalb is also the famous qasida written by Fuzūlī as a response to the Persian poets Khusraw-i Dihlawī and Mawlā Jāmī.
. “Allāhumma’f‘al binā fi’d-dīni wa’d-dunyā mā anta lahu ahlun wa lā taf‘al binā yā mawlānā mā naḥnu lahu ahlun, innaka ghafūrun ḥalīmun jawādun karīmun ra’ūfun raḥīmun ḥamīdun majīdun.”
. This verse is not found in the manuscript copy.
It reports the confirmation (ta‘dīl) of the appearances (qiyāfa) of the organs with mutually opposing information and evidence, and the rulings that vary according to the different natures of people.
22—Twitching of the zend
Is a small sign of arrogance.
“O Allah! In matters of religion and the world, make us among those who are worthy of You. O our Master! Do not make us among those who are unworthy of You in these two. Surely, You are exceedingly forgiving, forbearing, most generous, noble, compassionate, merciful, praiseworthy, and glorious.”
By likening the human being to the world, making the inner (anfus) correspond to the outer (āfāq), and finding the meanings and divisions of the exemplars of the world in this human body, it explains in four sections the resemblance of the organs and senses in the human body to the beings in the world; the protection and maintenance of bodily health and making this a habit; and the separation of the spirit (rūḥ) from the body through natural death.