ÜÇÜNCÜ FEN · İKİNCİ BÂB · ALTINCI FASIL · Birinci Madde
The First Article
It signifies the alertness of intellect and mind ( *firâsat*) and the preservation and protection of the heart.
O esteemed one! It is known that the friends of Allah have said: To contemplate ( *tafakkur*) the unparalleled beauty in the creation of the Most High and to remember Him (*tezekkür*) in everything leads to knowing and recognizing Him. As the Exalted One has commanded in the Noble Qur’an: “They ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth.” (Al-Imran, 3/191) "Indeed, within all this are signs for a people who reflect." (Ra'd, 13/3) "These examples We give to mankind that they may take heed." (Hashr, 59/21).
The Most Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “One hour of contemplation is better than a year of worship.” And he said: “Whenever thought of Allah fills the heart, Allah is his helper in every circumstance.” And he said: "Contemplate what Allah has created, but do not contemplate His Exalted Essence, for you cannot comprehend it." And he said: "Beware of the *firâsat* of a believer, for he sees with the light of Allah.”
The friends of Allah (*evliyaullah*) have said: “Good tidings to him whose remembrance and contemplation of Allah is his state, and whose heart is emptied and purified from everything external to it, so that a little contemplation becomes like long acts of worship. There is no worship like contemplation; there is much spiritual delight in contemplation.”
Verse
In my estimation, contemplation is as sweet as union.
I relish the depths of meanings and find healing.
To contemplate the Essence of Allah makes one an unbeliever. To contemplate His power and wisdom makes one a truthful believer (*siddiq*). The suspicion that arises in the heart of a believer reflects in his speech as *firâsat*.
Contemplation is a lamp that illuminates the inner world, which reason needs to distinguish between good and evil. Contemplation is preparation for the heart to receive unveiled knowledge (*ma’rifa*). It is protection of the heart from drowning in the sea of heedlessness (*ghafala*). Contemplation is purification of the heart so that its benefits may come forth. It is the beginning of the oversight and watchfulness (*murakaba*) of the Exalted One, Lord of Majesty.
Contemplation is the garden of trees of truth and the place where subtle lights of meaning arise. Contemplation is the mirror of realities of things and the scales of subtle meanings. Contemplation is the source of springs of wisdom and the mine of jewels of knowledge (*ma’rifa*). Contemplation is the cage of birds of wisdom and the experience of discerning vision.
Contemplation is the spirit of thoughts and feelings that come from the spiritual realm, a rare corrector of wrongdoing. Contemplation is desiring the desired knowledge and rejoicing in the Exalted proofs of the Lord. Contemplation is seeing the unseen with the soul, prepared within the heart. The excitement of contemplation is through sorrowful sounds. The result of contemplation is verses of the knowledge of Allah.
The result of contemplation is the attribute of love for Allah (*mahabatullah*). The movement of souls with contemplation is a sign of felicity. The movement of bodies with sin is a sign of wretchedness. With contemplation, desires are averted; attempting to obtain them through excess is regret (*malaamat*). The most honorable gathering is one in which contemplation is practiced and a cup is drunk from the sea of love.
Verse
I perceive You within my thought in my heart, manifested,
As if you were a portion for me in every place.
Regarding *firâsat*, it is to discover certainty and see the secrets of *firâsat*. *Firâsat* is the attack of the mind upon the heart, which repels its opposite and condemns the heart. *Firâsat* is a light that shines in the heart, illuminating the realities of things. Continuing with *murakaba* is to protect and watch over the heart. Contemplation gives love and knowledge (*ma’rifa*), bringing understanding and *firâsat*.
Verses
1-Be watchful so you may find traces from the fire of love,
And within that beginning, discover a message.
2-If you desire the dawn of felicity, do not sleep through the night;
May you find the radiant moon in the heart, clear at early morning.
3-Do not travel afar, come to yourself for everything is within you;
Be watchful so you may discover what lies within you.
4-Place the heavens beneath your feet, so that you may see the world;
Pass beyond this bodily roof so that you may find a dwelling place.
5-O heart, be of lofty aspiration! Soar in such a way
That you may find the egg of the sphere beneath your wings.
6-Abandon illusion and slumber with the wind of love, sweet and pleasant;
Abandon this earth and water so that you may find much joy within the heart.
7-Drink the wine of love, transcend the self, and experience bliss;
With this limited intellect, how long will you seek sorrow?
8-As desire increases, the delight of union becomes so delightful,
The more thirsty you are, the more pleasure you shall find.
9-O heedless one, do not speak the secrets of love to those lost in ignorance;
So that sweet words of love may be found like sugar on your tongue.