Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Inner Secrets Of The Path

A valuable resource for the students of Irfan (Gnosis). Discusses how spiritual travellers should walk on the path taking to their Lord using the Sharia (Law). Deals specifically with the roots and branches of religion.

Author(s): Sayyid Haydar Amuli

Translator(s): Asadullah ad-Dhaakir Yate

Publisher(s): Elements Books

Table of Contents

Introduction and Biographical Background  5

Postscript 28

Part 1: Ground Work. 29

1) Introduction and the First Aspect: a study of Theology and the Science of Gnosis 29

2) The Second Aspect 51

3) The Third Aspect 55

4) The First Principle 62

5) The Second Principle 72

Part 2: Roots 79

1) The First Foundation. 79

2) An Investigation of the Roots 80

An Investigation of the Roots: according to the way of the people of truth  80

3) Divine Unity (tawhid) 82

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 84

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 86

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 88

4) The Justice of Allah (`adl) 91

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 93

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 94

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 96

5) Prophethood. 97

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 98

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 99

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 100

6) Imamate 102

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 102

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 105

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 107

7) Events of the Hereafter (ma`ad) 108

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 109

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 110

The minor, intermediate and major days of resurrection in spirit for the people of tariqah  116

a) The minor day. 116

b) The intermediate day. 119

c) The major day. 121

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 124

a) The minor day. 124

b) The intermediate day. 125

c) The major day. 126

iv) The minor, intermediate and major days of resur­rection in form with respect to the cosmic dimension  129

a) The minor day. 129

b) The intermediate day. 129

c) The major day. 130

v) The minor, intermediate and major days of resur­rection in spirit with respect to the cosmic dimension  131

a) The minor day. 131

b) The intermediate day. 132

c) The major day. 132

Part 3: Branches 135

1) Minor Ritual Ablution (wudhu’) 135

i) According to the people 'of shari`ah. 135

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 135

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 136

2) Major Ritual Purification (ghusl) 138

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 138

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 138

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 141

3) Purification with Earth (tayammum) 142

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 142

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 143

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 147

4) The Nature of Prayer 149

In the light of the intellect, the Prophetic traditions and the unveilings of the heart 149

5) The Ascent of the Prophet (mi`raj) 151

i) In the realm of form. 151

ii) In the realm of inner meaning. 153

6) Different Aspects of Prayer 156

7) A Method of Classification. 162

8) Prayer 166

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 166

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 167

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 172

9) Fasting. 180

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 180

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 181

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 190

10) Zakat 192

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 192

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 193

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 197

11 ) Hajj (pilgrimage) 198

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 198

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 199

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 206

12) Jihad. 211

i) According to the people of shari`ah. 211

ii) According to the people of tariqah. 211

iii) According to the people of haqiqah. 213

Final Word of Advice and Instruction  217

Notes 225