ÜÇÜNCÜ FEN · BİRİNCİ BAB · ÜÇÜNCÜ FASIL · Altıncı Madde
Sixth Point
It explains and reveals the definition and reality of the intellect (akl-i ma'ad), which is the jewel of the human heart.
O esteemed one! Know that the Most Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The greatest blessing that the All-Merciful bestows upon His servants is intellect.”
David (peace be upon him) said: "Intellect is that which makes a person forget everything and leads them to knowledge of God. Desire is that which makes a person forget their own self and inclines them towards fleeting things."
The friends of God have said: “The definition of intellect is detaching from the transient and turning towards the eternal.” The definition of intellect is being content with Divine decree, knowing oneself (self-knowledge) and thereby knowing the All-Merciful. Intellect is adornment and beauty; the self is a blemish and defect. Intellect is healing; desire is disgrace and abjection.
Intellect is a trustworthy friend, it draws lessons from everything, and is superior to everything. The task of intellect is submission to the Real and obedience. The intelligent are among the fortunate. The speech of one whose intellect is lofty is sparse. An intelligent person does not condescend to what the ignorant desires. They do not act contrary to religion and (good) customs. The All-Merciful bestows upon a servant a pure heart (qalb-i salim), superior character [196/b], and a strong intellect when He loves them. The pinnacle of intellect is for one to confess their own ignorance. The tongue of the intelligent person is connected to their heart. Intellect elevates the low and contemptible, and beautifies the foul. Half of intellect is overlooking (tafawul), and half is forbearance (tahammul). There is no cleverness like overlooking (tacahul), nor gentleness (hilm) like forbearance. The impolite have no intellect; he who has no intellect has no religion. Intellect is being able to understand the Word of God; it is the capital of felicity in both worlds.
Intellect is a primordial light, whose illumination increases with the lights of wisdom. Intellect removes the self from evil desires, cleanses the heart of doubtful things, prevents the soul from looking at others, and brings them all together in perpetual tranquility. Intellect shows you the results of actions and reads the book of the universe to you. Intellect is a perfect light that encompasses the entire heart; perceptions belonging to the senses and intellect are attained through it. Intellect is the human soul, the rider of the animal soul. The animal soul, with its excessive desires, is the rider of the human body.
Intellects and hearts belong to the realm of the spiritual (malakut), and are heavenly. Selves and bodies belong to the world of manifestation (mulk) and earth. Therefore, intellects and hearts are luminous and exalted. Selves and bodies are dark and base. Intellect circles and traverses around the universe, but is powerless in the presence of the Creator of the universe, filled with wonder. Intellect is the servant of the Lord God and the guide of beautiful character.
The fame and renown of intellect are too numerous to count. Its first fame is that it has no preoccupation with the world. The external aspect of intellect is silence; its internal aspect is concealing hidden secrets. Intellect finds things in the Real and returns everything to the Real. Intellect is an instrument through which knowledge arises in the heart for the acquisition of divine knowledge. Do not think that it has reached the heart for rabbinical knowledge.
Intellect is a wise vizier (advisor). Desires are a shameless and disgraced agent. Intellect is a light in the heart, insight. To oppose it is harm and disgrace.
He who is inclined to silence, speaks truthfully when he does speak, knows what he knows through the Real, and conveys goodness to people, is truly intelligent. The intelligent person prefers the All-Merciful above all things. They abandon the self’s useless desires and turn towards nearness (uns) to the Real. The intelligent person is a friend of the Real. It is not expected that a friend will deviate from them; it does not befit a friend.
The sign of intellect is beautiful character and knowledge of the Oneness of the Creator. Intellect is the essence of essences (lubb-ul lubab). It is the friend of the Lord of the masters. The work of an intellect concerned with the afterlife (akl-i ma'ad) is love and friendship, finding the right path spiritually. It is a source of affection and complete truthfulness. Whoever is concerned with every good and evil in the world is like someone gathering ears of wheat – foolish. For intellect comes from the eternal tranquility; order and discipline are found through it in knowledge and action. It shows past and future things as in a mirror.
Intellect alone suffices as evidence on the path of truth. The friendship of intellect is safe everywhere. The birthplace of the sun of intellect is the primordial light. Its rising and setting place is also the All-Merciful.
Intellect is a powerful sovereign. For it is the shadow of God in the universe. Intellect is the shadow of the Divine Light; how can its shadow be separate from its possessor? Rather, it follows him. How much can a subsidiary will obstruct? Intellect is the spiritual aspect of the human soul and a subtle, divine jewel. Intellect is a Divine light shining in the heart. The real and unreal are distinguished therein. Intellect is superior to sense perception and reasoning. For it is the greatest secret of the Lord. Intellect is God’s minister. It regulates the affairs of this world and the hereafter.
The intelligent person has no sorrow. Because they find no fault in the decree (qada) of the Most High. Intellect is the mercy of God within the nature (fitra) of the universe. Intellect is the evidence of God within the inner realm of man. It is the intellect that knows all the names (asma) of the universe. He who knows the signified is also intelligent. Intellect is the manager of the city of the body. The intellect that discerns good and evil is sovereign, while the others are servants and people. For it is more knowledgeable than them all. Intellect is the life of the heart. It is an interpreter at the door of the unseen. This noble entity (intellect), with the speaking self, is like a mother and father to this subtle world. Whoever goes beyond and distances themselves from these two parents has rebelled against them. Just as the sun draws water from the earth upwards, intellect draws man from selfishness towards the Lord. Desire is disbelief; intellect is religion. Desire is blindness; intellect is the clear consequence.
Reason is that which benefits humankind through guile.
Do not suppose reason to be the soul's intellect.
Reason is full of hypocrisy and deceit.
Do not say: "Reason is theft from Satan."
The mind is a trickster, a soothsayer, and a magician.
Opinion is a thief, a deceiver, and a poet.
All this cunning, wit, and guile are the gifts of Saturn and Venus.
True spiritual guides prefer the intellect of religion.
They become lions over all.
Reason does not desire wealth or status.
It does not tread the path of shame and disgrace.
Reason transgresses against the fundamentals of religion.
It flees from falsehood and artifice.
Reason neither praises nor blames anyone.
Reason never wrongs anyone.
For reason is free from bad character.
So what need has it of evil deeds?
Reason inclines towards religion and the afterlife.
What does it matter to it this worldly livelihood?
Reason is a meticulous master.
It is also attentive in seeking true knowledge of God.