'The Ground of Contemplation' - Abdullah Ansari in 'Sad Maidan'

Bismillah.

The 97th Ground to reaching God, according to Khwaja Abdullah Ansari (1006 - 1089 CE), is contemplation (mushahada). The paragraphs below are from Sad Maidan (Hundred Grounds), a book that spells out one hundred stations for a salik (seeker/wayfarer) to traverse with the aim of arriving at the Creator.

The Ground of Contemplation arises from the (96th) Ground of Bedazzlement (Dahshat). God Almighty says, "(Surely in that is a reminder) for one who harkens and contemplates." (Qur'an L:37). Contemplation is the removal of obstacles between the devotee and God.

The paths to contemplation are threefold:
First of all, realization of the degree of Wisdom by means of the degree of Knowledge.
Second, attainment of the degree of Purity by means of the degree of Patience (sabr).
Thirdly, realization of the degree of Reality through the degree of Knowing (ma'rifat).

I. Man attains the degree of Wisdom by means of the degree of Knowledge by means of three things:

- putting one's knowledge to good use

- by venerating the Divine Commands and

- faithful adherance to the Sunna (of the Prophet).

>> This is the stage of the sages (hakiman).

II. Man attains the degree of Purity through the degree of Patience by means of three things:

- by abandoning contention

- by renouncing self-direction and

- by considering contentment as necessary.

>> This is the stage of those who are content (with God's will).

III. Man may attain to the degree of Reality through the degree of Knowing by means of three things:
- by reverence (to God) in solitude

- by reproaching oneself for inadequacy in rendering the service (to God) and

- by preferring one's friends above oneself (ithar).

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Reference: Essay by A.G. Ravan Farhadi in 'The Heritage of Sufism'. Published by Oneworld Oxford. Related Lisan al-Din posts:

- Abdullah Ansari's Hundred Grounds

- The Ground of Unification