Introduction
 
In The Name of Allah The Most Beneficent The Most Merciful
 
Seeking Assistance of It
 
Lord Complete (this book) With Goodness
 
 
A praise, which the divine flashes of its truth and heavenly fragrance of its sincerity enlightens the eyes and aromatizes the essence of the heart, an endowment from the regal King which the existence of entire universe is because of a single droplet of Its vast generosity, and because of a single blink of the twinkle of Its light. A single word ‘Be’ [0] from this Creator has scribbled unnumbered words of truth, from the “Mother of the Book” of the Essence [1], upon the tablet of human being’s inner design who is a complete word and a perfect page from the book of the universe, (The Creator) made a graceful choice and upon him rendered the ensemble of meanings and detailed words.
 
A grace that in the precise moment of selection, honored the most pure chosen one Adam above all in the creation, “Indeed Allah created Adam in Its own shape[2], endowed with the divine decree and regal insignia of vicegerency [3] and the lofty flag of benevolence. And from his seeds prophets and pious were given (as more gifts to Mankind) due to Allah’s excessive mercy and blessing, nurtured within the hearth and sanctuary of innocence.
 
And from amongst the prophets Allah chose the ‘chieftain of prophets’ and ‘seal (last) of the prophets’ enthroned upon the eternal bliss, crowned with loving and opened a passage way (through this prophet) for Jinn [4], Mankind, the cosmos and the universe of unseen and spirits (Malakoot).
 
From his nation selected a group of righteous who are the scholars of truth and sages of right path (Tariqat): vicegerents seated upon the position of guidance and teaching, cleansing them from this temporal ethereal world. The breath of their meditation carried a redolent scent to the nose of the seekers of truth and their feet stepped into the trap of respect and reverence (for them the scholars and sages). Anywhere there is a fallen bewildered within the darkness of the desert seeking the light of Certainty (Yaqin) finds the flares and sparks of their (scholars) inner enlightened consciousness (Wajd) [5]. Anywhere there is a fallen suffering from poverty seeking the alchemy of eternal bliss shall find guidance under the supervision of their loving persons. Upon each movement and each stillness whether within or without, they (the scholars and sage) assign a sergeant from their militia, drilling with meditation and purification to peel of the deceptions from their hearts, and replace that with the garment of everlastingness [6].
 
Thus the prayers unnumbered stretching into eternity infinitely, are deserved for the chieftain whom the other prophets follow him for certain and he is the absolute guide for the ensemble of virtuous, May Allah exalt him and his family and his companions for as long as the stars glitter and the blossoms bloom.
 
The Subject and Definition of Sufism
 
This is a summary of the principles and fundamentals of the Tariqat (the way) of Sufism, and description of some of the sciences and cognitive noesis of these Sufis, which are the foundations of Sufism and the underlying voyage and travel for the seekers of Kaabah of truth. For example, the knowledge of true beliefs, the etiquette of relationships, reunion of hearts (true and fake) secret and spiritual and cognizance of Self and deceptions of human attributes and characteristics of lusts, cognizance of soul, heart and others.
 
Whoever reaches the level of the intimate companions of the Majesty and contenders of the perfection and greatness on the path and masters of truth, he is called a Sufi, whether he is wonted to Sufism or unaccustomed to.
 
Jonaid said, “The Sufism is to be with Allah without any love or affection[7]. And Roym said, “The Sufism is to put down the Self in presence of Allah, until it is exactly as Allah wishes things to be[8]. And Abu Mohammad Jorairi said, “The Sufism is adopting all lofty characteristics while ejecting all lowly characteristics”. And again Jonaid said, “The Sufism is Haqq to kill your Self and give you life anew[9].
 
It is popular that people call anyone accustomed to Sufism and dresses like them, whether truthful or not, a Sufi. But the expert Sufis call these not Sufis but Sufi look-alikes.
 
The real reason why the religious and pious call each other Sufis, is because they renounced this world and love this world little, therefore dressed modestly (woolen attire) so they are famous for being called Sufis (the wool wearers).
 
The Reason for Authoring and the Name of the Book and the Author
 
In short, many of the friends and brothers who are not blessed with the knowledge of Arabic languages, were inclined towards the study of the Sufi masterpieces and they asked from Mahmood Bin Ali Al-Qashani to translate “Awarifol Ma-arif” of Sheikh Shahaabed-din Omar Sahrwardy, which contains the truth and details of methods of Sufism.
 
And this lowly authored tried for a while to turn this request down and flip-flopped between writing and not writing. Until one day I thought I could just write a summary of Sufi thoughts and keys to uncover the truth, borrowing from the Sheikh’s said book. So I put together ten chapters each ten sections based upon the Sheikh’s work. Since the words are adapted from the Mishkaat of prophethood (Mishkaat means the niche concave place in the wall for fire or lamp) and concepts are sufficient for spiritual knowledge I called the book, “The Lantern (lamp) of guidance and key to Spiritual Sufficiency”.
 
I hope to receive the mercy from Allah such that the true seekers uncovering the knowledge of the path (Tariqat) and rays of truth and opening of the gates of cognizance finding this book useful and sufficient. And I seek the generosity of the Lord to cleanse and purify my intentions from ostentations and desires.
 
End.
 
 
 
[0] The Koranic/Arabic word is ‘Kon’ which exactly means ‘Be’ as in being. When the Creator wants to create something it only utters ‘Be’ and miraculously that object becomes a being, Koran [2:117]:
 
“To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: When He decreeth a matter, He saith to it: "Be," and it is.”
 
[1] The Koranic/Arabic phrase is ‘Ommol Kitab’ Koran [13:39], which literary means the Mother of the Book in English, could be better said as the fundamental book. This book is referenced again in, “(Inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved!”, Koran [85:22]. The best explanations I could find are:

1.      "…a preserved tablet of white pearl, its covers of red ruby, its pen of light and its writing (?) of light, its width is of that between the heavens and earth." [Tabarani (mawquf hasan)]
2.      "The first thing that Allah created was the Pen, then He told it, 'Write!'. The pen said, 'What shall I write, O Lord?' Allah the Exalted said, 'Write what will happen upto the Day of Resurrection." [Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ahmad]
 
Terms like ‘white pearl’ or ‘ruby’ are Isharat (metaphors) pointing at an example rendition i.e. precious rare exotic substances have been used for the building of this book/storage device. ‘its width is of that between the heavens and earth’ describe some for of measure to imagine largeness i.e. either in size or ability to store. For example, a digital disk can store the words in books piling up between here and the moon though its size is so small. Some how the narration attempts to show exoticness, rareness and size of storage and operations.
 
‘Essence’ I believe is the Essence of the Creator as in some inner information related It may divulge.
 
[2] This phrase has been used by many scholars in their books as a saying from the Prophet Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him. Much research about the meanings of this saying has been conducted. Perhaps the best explanation is that Allah created Adam like a mirror reflecting Its Face. For example, when man is merciful to a poor person, he is a mirror whereby the mercy from Allah is reflected from man to the poor person. When a man is truthful and stands his grounds, this is a reflection from truthfulness of Almighty from the man to his people. This saying does not mean Allah has hands and feet and hair. Man reflects some of the attributes of the Creator within some limits.
 
[3] Koran [2:30] :
 
“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not." “
 
On the footnotes I found a marvelous poem I do not know the source though:
 
Since the divine intent and command of the merciful Lord
Preexistent edict for perceptible manifestation and splendor
Therefore created the vicegerent with a bosom
A mirror reflecting Its regal Lordship all over
 
[4] Jinn are creatures made from flames or sparks similar to man was made from clay. The revelation to the heart of Prophet Mohammad Peace Be Upon Him was also a message to these creatures, Koran [72:1] :
 
“Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur'an). They said, 'We have really heard a wonderful Recital!”
 
[5] ‘Wajd’ is an Arabic word and a Sufi terminology for inner consciousness when it goes through EXPERIENCES of uncovering secrets and hidden findings about the Beloved. Closest in English is enlightenment but in Sufism the word encompasses much. ‘Wajd’ either is followed by jubilee or sorrow. More on this word in a later chapter specially dedicated for its definition INSHALLAH.
 
 
[6] ‘Everlastingness’ is different from ‘eternal’. ‘Everlastingness’ is opposite of the change like endurance in time while ‘eternal’ means staying the same because the very nature of the item is unrelated to time-space.
 
In Koran this word is used in different forms:
 
  1. ‘Baaqiyaat’: “Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world: But the things that endure, good deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes.”, Koran [18:46].
  2. ‘Abqaa’: “Nor strain thine eyes in longing for the things We have given for enjoyment to parties of them, the splendor of the life of this world, through which We test them: but the provision of thy Lord is better and more enduring.”
  3. ‘Baaq’: “What is with you must vanish: what is with Allah will endure”, Koran [16:96].
 
‘Al-Baaqi’ is a Sifat (attribute) of the Beloved.
 
The author says that deceptions are like some form of skin on the heart. They need to be flayed away or shed away or peeled away, in return the naked man wears the invisible garment of everlastingness i.e. to endure the temporal world and all the heartache and misery into the next eternal world.
 
Deceptions though powerful enchantments, they are no more than a think skin to be peeled off easily, while pain is caused by its removal, the nakedness can be dressed with that which endures.
 
[7] It means Sufism is to be with Allah without any love and affection for anything whatsoever, not only the worldly and physical love and affections but also even the spiritual bewilderment and feelings of elations. Because as soon you feel some form of pleasure or bewilderment or enlightenment, there is a passage way opened for Self to enter. This is almost to do with away not only with the Self but also with the heart altogether.
 
Abul-Qasem Janaid Bin Mohammad Baghdadi originally from Nahawand (Iran) born in Iraq one of the master Sufis and the son of the sister of Serri Saqaty. He died in 297 HQ or around 900s.
 
[8] The meaning is complete and unconditional submission to the Creator. Nothing whatsoever of what the Self wants or dreams can serve as a veil to block the Beloved.
 
Abu Mohammad Roym Bin Ahmad Bin Roym another master Sufi lived around 300 HQ or 900s, a student of Dawood Isfahani.
 
[9] Killing the worldly life that for the most part constitutes the Self and desires and doubts and excitements, once the person’s Self is murdered then Creator resurrects the true and real eternal life for the person. While you are biologically alive this means nothing to faze you out in life, no desire, hope or pain can move your eyes from the Beloved’s beautiful face. Whether you live the next moment or not would make any difference. This does not mean you block the daily life and its pleasures and affairs, it means whether they are there or not makes no difference whatsoever.
 
Abu Mohammad Ahmad Bin Mohammad Bin Hussein Jorairi born in Jorair a place around Basra, Iraq around 350 to 400 HQ or 900-950.


© 2003-2002,  Dara Shayda

Special thanx to Amin Karimpour for the scans and JPG conversion and to Suheil Laher for help with Arabic and Hadith.