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Draft:Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh

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Risalat Liqa' Allah
AuthorMirza Jawad Maliki Tabrizi
LanguagePersian
SeriesOne Volume
SubjectEthics and Mysticism
Published7th Print, 2006


Risālat Liqā' Allāh (Treatise on Meeting God) is a seminal mystical and ethical work by Mirza Jawad Maliki Tabrizi (d. 1924). It explores the concept of the Divine Meeting in its mystical sense and substantiates the theory of Personal Unity of Existence from the perspective of Islamic mysticism. The book is regarded as a significant contribution to the field of Islamic gnosis.

The first section, written in Persian, analyzes the meaning of Liqā' Allāh (Meeting God) through the lens of Shi'a scholarship and elucidates various mystical perspectives on the subject. The second section, composed in Arabic, details the author's endorsement of the theory of Personal Unity of Existence, addressing critical objections and resolving ambiguities surrounding the topic.

This work was originally published by Khalil Kamara'i under the title Sayr wa suluk. Subsequently, Sadiq Hasanzada published a single-volume edition titled Risalat Liqa' Allah, which incorporated a translation of the Arabic section. This edition also appended treatises on Liqā' Allāh by Imam Khomeini and Muhammad Muhsin Fayd Kashani, a mystical letter from Mirza Jawad to Kumpani, and a poem (qaṣīda) by Hasan Hasanzada Amoli.

Importance and Position

Risalat Liqa' Allah is a mystical and ethical treatise by Mirza Jawad Aqa Maliki Tabrizi that elucidates the stages of spiritual wayfaring (sayr wa sulūk) in a clear and accessible manner. Drawing upon verses of the Holy Qur'an, the author seeks to validate the Meeting of God in its mystical sense, a concept that has long been the focus of spiritual wayfarers.[1] In his book Sharh-i chihil hadith, Imam Khomeini identifies the late Maliki Tabrizi's treatise Liqa' Allah as a comprehensive resource for further study on the nature and quality of the Divine Meeting.[2] Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Husayni Tihrani considers this work to be among the most exquisite texts compiled on mysticism and wayfaring.[3] Hasan Hasanzada Amoli also recommends reading Risalat Liqa' Allah, noting that he has personally derived great benefit from the text.[4]

Author

Main article: Mirza Jawad Maliki Tabrizi

Mirza Jawad Maliki Tabrizi (born late 13th/19th or early 14th/20th century – died 1343/1924-25 in Tabriz) was a distinguished Faqih, mystic, and teacher of ethics in the Shi'a world during the fourteenth lunar century.[5] His other notable writings include Asrar al-salat and a Persian margin on Ghayat al-quswa.[6] He passed away in 1343/1925 (3 July 1925).[7] He was interred in the Shikhan Cemetery of Qom.[8]

Content of the Book

Template:Quote Box In the introduction to the first section, the author examines and critiques the views of Shi'a scholars regarding the nature of meeting God. He argues for the validity of its correct meaning, proving its possibility and explaining the manner of its occurrence.[9] The second section is dedicated to substantiating the theory of Personal Unity of Existence according to the understanding of the mystics.[10]

Part One

The author observes that while the phrase Liqā' Allāh (Meeting God) and the concept of looking at God appear in the Holy Qur'an and the statements of the Imams (a), other narrations emphasize the transcendence of God Almighty, the prima facie meaning of which implies a pure transcendence beyond all levels of cognition. Acknowledging the position of certain theologians regarding pure transcendence, he proceeds to outline the perspectives of Shi'a scholars on the subject (specifically the interpretation of transcendence and the theological predication of attributes).[11] He concludes this section by examining self-knowledge (ma'rifat al-nafs), its progression, and the quality of the human soul's perfection.[12]

Part Two

To establish and defend Personal Unity of Existence, the author cites a narration from Imam al-Baqir (a), noting that spiritual wayfarers have encountered various obstacles, illusions, and unfounded claims in this regard; indeed, some theories are irrational, while others have led to rejection and takfir.[13] Recounting a story involving a sage from Isfahan, he invites opponents of the Unity of Existence to engage in reasoning and contemplation.[14] Asserting that "Expansive Existence (wujūd-i munbasiṭ) pertains to True Existence and is among the manifestations and theophanies of God," the author analyzes the theories of those who have arrived at the mystical Unity of Existence through spiritual unveiling (kashf).[15]

Name of the Book and Its Publication

The author did not originally title the work; the title Liqa' Allah was selected by Mirza Khalil Kamara'i, though some sources and biographies refer to the book as Sayr wa suluk.[16] Sadiq Hasanzada, noting 'Allama Tihrani's observation that the text had suffered from interpolations and additions,[17] produced a corrected edition. He collated the original manuscript (housed in the Ayatollah Mar'ashi Najafi Library) with other printed editions from Mustafawi Publications, Hijrat Print, and Fahri Print, publishing the result through Al-i 'Ali (a) Publications.[18] Hasanzada added vowel markers and translated the Arabic content and hadiths, citing sources and references, while placing the book's text within brackets. Furthermore, he included the marginalia written by the author himself in the corrected version—signed "Minhu 'Ufiya 'Anhu" (From him, may he be forgiven)—in the footnotes, designated by the parenthetical phrase "The late Mirza Jawad Aqa Maliki Tabrizi."[19]

Report of Structure and Titles of the Book

Risalat Liqa' Allah consists of two parts and four appendices. The first part is in Persian, while the second is in Arabic.

Titles

Part One includes:

  • A discussion on meeting God, its correct meaning, its possibility, and the scriptural evidence (verses and narrations) supporting it.
  • Decision and the commencement of the return towards the Truth (God).
  • The story of the repentance of the young shroud stealer.
  • The Repentance of David (a).
  • Preparing the ground for Repentance.
  • The Repentance of the murderer of seventy prophets.
  • The infinite Divine mercy.
  • Preparing the table of muraqaba.
  • The burning and melting of the author.
  • True repentances.
  • The sign of genuine weeping.
  • Musharata, Muraqaba, and Muhasaba.
  • Divine favors in sleep.
  • The unveiling of teachings in the world of sleep.
  • The glad tidings in the author's dreams.
  • Manners of eating and sleeping.
  • The effects and virtues of the Night Prayer and keeping vigil.
  • Ṣawt al-sulūk (The Whip of Wayfaring).

Part Two includes:

  • A discussion on Unity of Existence.
  • The connection between existential worlds and the mode of existence of beings within them.

From the book Risalat Liqa' Allah of Maliki Tabrizi: Now, O my soul! After all these stages, if you were to perform the worship of jinn and mankind in exchange for all these great Divine favors, your efforts would still end in disgrace and scandal—let alone being devoid of these high stages and worship, spending nights lying like a carcass and passing days in futility and idleness! Rather, would that you had not risen from your bed nor opened your eyes from comfortable sleep; perhaps then you would have benefited more from the shame of sleeping and not rising, than rising in such a state with an inverted heart. Indeed, if you examine the reality of your night wakefulness—nay, the most noble state of your wakefulness, which is prayer—and realize the true nature of your actions, you would surely seek forgiveness for your prayer even more than for your sins! And you would feel greater shame before the Truth—Jalla Jalāluuh.[20]

Appendices

  • "Mystical letter of the author to 'Allama Kumpani" elucidates the proposed method for self-knowledge and attaining the desired mystical objective.[21]
  • "Towards Liqa' Allah by Mulla Muhsin Fayd Kashani" explains the possibility of God's manifestation in the existence of the Perfect Man.[22]
  • "Liqa' Allah and its Quality by Imam Khomeini" explains the nature of Liqā' Allāh, the proofs supporting it, and the motives of those who deny the Divine Meeting.[23]
  • "Qasida Liqa'iyya by 'Allama Hasan Hasanzada Amoli" concerns the quality and manner of attaining the Divine Meeting.[24]

Notes

  1. ↑ "Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh", Site-i Ḥikmat wa 'Irfān dar Partow-i Qur'ān wa 'Itrat.
  2. ↑ Imam Khomeini, Chihil Ḥadīth, 1380 Sh, p. 453.
  3. ↑ Ḥusaynī Tihrānī, Tawḥīd-i 'Ilmī wa 'Aynī dar Makātīb-i Ḥikamī wa 'Irfānī, 1393 Sh, p. 329.
  4. ↑ Ḥasanzāda, Ṭabīb-i Dilhā, 1390 Sh, p. 175.
  5. ↑ Āghā Buzurg Tihrānī, Ṭabaqāt A'lām al-Shī'a, 1404 AH, vol. 1, p. 70.
  6. ↑ Jam'ī az Nūīsannigān, Gulshan-i Abrār, 1385 Sh, vol. 2, pp. 516-517.
  7. ↑ Ḥasanzāda Āmulī, "Mīrzā Jawād Āqā Malikī Tabrīzī", p. 82.
  8. ↑ Jam'ī az Nūīsannigān, Gulshan-i Abrār, 1385 Sh, vol. 2, p. 518.
  9. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 11.
  10. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 174.
  11. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, pp. 24-60.
  12. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 69.
  13. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 174.
  14. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 178.
  15. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, pp. 190-216.
  16. ↑ Jam'ī az Nūīsannigān, Dāʾirat al-Ma'ārif-i Tashayyu', 1394 Sh, vol. 15, p. 492.
  17. ↑ Ḥusaynī Tihrānī, Allāh Shināsī, 1392 Sh, vol. 2, p. 90.
  18. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 11.
  19. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 11.
  20. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 174.
  21. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 267.
  22. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 273.
  23. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 285.
  24. ↑ Malikī Tabrīzī, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh, 1385 Sh, p. 295.

References

  • Āghā Buzurg Tihrānī, Muḥammad Muḥsin, Ṭabaqāt A'lām al-Shī'a, Mashhad, Dār al-Murtaḍā lil-Nashr, 1404 AH.
  • Jam'ī az Nūīsannigān, Dāʾirat al-Ma'ārif-i Tashayyu', Tehran, Nashr-i Ḥikmat, 1394 Sh.
  • Jam'ī az Pzhūhashgarān-i Ḥawza-yi 'Ilmiyya-yi Qom, Gulshan-i Abrār, Qom, Nashr-i Ma'rūf, 1378 Sh.
  • Ḥasanzāda Āmulī, Ḥasan, "Mīrzā Jawād Āqā Malikī Tabrīzī", in Nashriyya-yi Kayhān-i Andīsha, No. 8, Mihr and Ābān 1365 Sh.
  • Ḥasanzāda, Ṣādiq, Ṭabīb-i Dilhā: Guftahā wa Nāguftahā Darbāra-yi 'Ārif-i Kāmil Mīrzā Jawād Āqā Malikī Tabrīzī Raḥmatullāh, Tehran, Nashr-i Mu'minīn, 1390 Sh.
  • Ḥusaynī Tihrānī, Sayyid Muḥammad Ḥusayn, Tawḥīd-i 'Ilmī wa 'Aynī dar Makātīb-i Ḥikamī wa 'Irfānī, Tehran, Nashr-i 'Allāma Ṭabāṭabāʾī, 1393 Sh.
  • Ḥusaynī Tihrānī, Sayyid Muḥammad Ḥusayn, Allāh Shināsī, Tehran, Nashr-i 'Allāma Ṭabāṭabāʾī, 1392 Sh.
  • Khomeinī, Sayyid Rūḥallāh, Sharḥ-i Chihil Ḥadīth, Qom, Muʾassisat Tanẓīm wa Nashr Āthār Imām Khomeinī, 1380 Sh.
  • Riḍāʾī, 'Alī, "Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh", Site-i 'Irfān wa Ḥikmat dar Partow-i Qur'ān wa 'Itrat, Date of insertion: 6 Shahrivar 1393 Sh, Date of visit: 15 Bahman 1401 Sh.
  • Malikī Tabrīzī, Mīrzā Jawād, Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh bi-Ḍamīma-yi Risālat Liqāʾ Allāh-i Imām Khomeinī, Qom, Nashr-i Āl-i 'Alī, 1385 Sh.
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