ÜÇÜNCÜ FEN · BİRİNCİ BAB · DÖRDÜNCÜ FASIL · Dokuzuncu Madde
The Ninth Article
Describes how the human heart undertakes a journey to its own realm through the training of the ego (discipline) [265], benefiting from the Universal Intellect and becoming filled with the science of wisdom.
O esteemed one! Know that the friends of God have said: Whoever desires knowledge of God [266] should withdraw into seclusion, remain there for days, rendering the five external sense organs ineffective, and silently continue the remembrance (dhikr) of the Most Holy Name (Allah) with heart and soul, engaging in struggle (mujahada) [267] with his ego by granting it its rights and denying it its pleasures, purifying bad character traits from his heart and adorning himself with good ones, following the footsteps of the Most Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in word, deed, and character, if he completes this training (discipline) by subsisting on a single day’s worth of food (one hundred dirhams) and being content with four hours of sleep; then his heart will establish such a connection with the realm of the unseen that it becomes unaware of the world of bodies. He will behold the unseen realms of the heavens and attain the station of divine knowledge.
Poem:
He who knows worldly wisdom and what is within it, is not a true knower.
The true knower is he who does not know the world and what is within it.
In this state, the secrets of the unseen realm will be revealed to him, and those forms, states, and wonders that others see in dreams while asleep, he will see spiritually in his waking state. Then angels, the spirits of prophets, and saints will appear to him. He may benefit from the spirit of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and witness things so magnificent that they cannot be described. Truths are not known until they are seen.
Indeed, the Exalted One has said in His Eternal Word: “Thus did We show Abraham [the power] of the heavens and the earth, to make firm his conviction.” (En’am, 6/75) And the Most Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also announced the vision: "The earth was opened up for me; I saw the east and the west." This is nothing but the aforementioned unveiling.
The Exalted One says in the Clear Book: “Remember your Lord’s name, and direct yourself to Him with sincerity. He is the Lord of the East and the West. There is no god but Him, so take Him alone as a refuge.” (Muzzammil, 73/8-10) This is an indication of the rigorous discipline mentioned, whereby one, engaged in remembrance and contemplation, attains the station of trust. He becomes secure by withdrawing from people (seclusion), free from fear of benefit or harm. The heart is cleansed of the impurities of animosity. It is purified from the distress caused by enemies, freed from the preoccupation of the sense organs, and beholds the beauty and majesty of God.
For the human heart is like a pool to which five rivers flow externally. Sometimes these rivers flow clean; sometimes they flow muddy. Consequently, much mud and sediment accumulates at the bottom of the pool. With time, the pool becomes foul and rotten. It is necessary for him who wishes to remove the putrid sediment accumulated at the bottom of the pool and cleanse it that he first cut off the paths of these rivers flowing from outside and move the earth-like sediment with an instrument from the outside. Thus, springs will gush forth from the bottom of the pool, the dirty water will be kept away, the pool will be cleansed, and its water will become beautiful. Similarly, there are all kinds of forms and information, thoughts and suspicions that constantly flow in from the five senses and cover the heart. Some of these are correct, some are flawed, and some are corrupting. Bad traits and characteristics have gathered and settled within the soul.
For him who desires purification of the heart [268] and refinement [269], it is necessary first to block the paths of the five sense organs. Thus, nothing will enter the heart from what is heard, seen, smelled, tasted, or worn. Then, he must remove harmful thoughts (hawatir) subtly and continue the remembrance of the Most Holy Name (Allah). Finally, springs of wisdom will bubble forth from the sea of unity (ahadiyat) in his soul. He should expel all that takes the heart away from God (masiva) and become skilled in the knowledge of emanation (ilm-i sudur).
Quatrain:
True knowledge resides within the breast;
Know that what is not said in instruction also dwells within the heart.
Even if you have a house full of books, it will be of no use.
The library must be within the breast.
(Translation of the Quatrain)
A couplet:
The mirror of the heart polishes through the hardship of travel;
Whether the journey is to Mecca or to jihad.
From body to God, the soul journeys in remembrance; it is the struggle of the ego.
To tread the path of the Heart’s Kaaba, passing beyond what is not God.
He who travels and makes a pilgrimage within the soul is ever abiding.
The heart's mirror is to him the magical chalice that shows the world.
Travel in your heart so you may be among the blessed.
Those who wander are people of hell; seek seclusion instead.
If you desire a remedy, O lover of love,
Do not go far from the soul, for it is the cure for you.
If you desire your Lord, find Him close within;
Do not go far from the soul, for it is the cure for you.
If you desire your Lord, find Him close within;
The heart’s house of God is not separate from you.
As a lover's guide has always been instructing you,
Find God within the heart; do not be heedless.
Here's a translation of the provided text, aiming for faithfulness and preservation of meaning within a classical/Sufi context:
If you desire healing, then flee not to distance; the heart is your remedy.
The Beloved is sought in separation, but He resides within proximity; do not deem yourself far from Him.
If you seek the Lord, request Him directly; for He dwells close within the heart; the heart is God’s abode, do not consider it empty.
Indeed, if you are a disciple of love, and he has always guided you, find Truth within your heart—beware of heedlessness!