THE HIDDEN AND REVEALED: EXPLORING THE ESOTERIC AND EXOTERIC DIMENSIONS
The universe has at least two dimensions: the outer, apparent dimension and the inner, hidden dimension. The apparent is known to the body through the five senses, whereas the hidden is known to the soul through unveiling.
Just as we have the physical five senses, which develop over time and must be maintained, we also have inner, spiritual senses, which must be developed and maintained through purification and spiritual development.
The development of Islam is based upon this. The first part of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), before the migration to Medina, is known as the Makki (Meccan) period. The other part, after the migration to Medina, is known as the Madani (Medinan) period.
The Makki period was a time when the esoteric of Islam was revealed. This time was focused on the spiritual, metaphysical, and creedal aspects of Islam. The chapters of the Qur’an revealed during this time are known as the ‘Makki’ chapters, which primarily covered issues of Divine Oneness (Tawhid), prophethood, the Hereafter, the day of judgement, the soul, the ego, character, etc. The fact that this was the first part revealed to mankind shows what we should first focus on when beginning our journey to God.
The Madani period was when the focus was more on the exoteric aspects of the religion, namely the acts of worship, laws, legal rulings, etc. This was when the Muslims were grounded in their faith and spirituality, ready to obey every word of God, and was also when the Muslims were safe to practice their religion freely in the Muslim state established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) told us about how the Qur’an has apparent and hidden dimensions when he said:
“The Quran was revealed in seven modes. Each verse among them has an outward and an inward, and each limit has a horizon.”
[Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ #238]
Islam is unique in this way, as it extensively covers both the apparent/exoteric realities of this world as well as its hidden/esoteric realities - giving guidance, clarity and direction on both.
Nur itself has apparent and hidden realities. The apparent realities of Nur are understood from physical objects of Nur (light) like the sun, moon, stars, fire. The hidden realities, however, are the realities focused on by Islam. This is where we find the realities of Divine Light, angels and blessings. We know these are truths because mankind has been informed about them throughout history by prophets, whom Allah Almighty gave this knowledge. We also know about this through experience, as, for example, when the Qur’an is recited, God is supplicated to, a believer performs prayer, there is a serene peace experienced; if this feeling is analysed using the apparent and only the material senses, it is difficult to deduce the exact cause of them, indicating their source must be unseen.
Nur has different purposes. In terms of spirituality, Nur repels darkness. When Nur enters a body surrounded and filled with darkness, it first shows the darkness for what it is and then replaces it with light. Light also shows the realities that darkness once covered, which is why healing is often painful, as healing leads to the unveiling of so many issues previously unknown.
Darkness is what comes about when there is no light. The harms of darkness are many and avoiding it is the duty of anyone who seeks goodness and a path to God. Whilst they are not equal by any means, light is often associated with the Divine and darkness is what is associated with the satanic. The natural state of all things is to have light.
Whilst commenting on the first verse of the Qur’an which mentions Nur (Qur’an 2:17), the great saint of Morocco, Ibn Ajibah (d. 1809), explained the reality of darkness. He said:
The one who is obstructed by darkness is like the one who has been surrounded by doubts and suspicions. He seeks someone to guide him to the path of guidance. Then, when the lights of the Gnostics become apparent to him, the secrets of those brought close to God are surrounding him - such that horizons are illuminated by their light and the efforts of the servants are reinvigorated - they deny them all and distance themselves from them. They make their ears deaf to listening to their counsels, make themselves dumb to confirming them (and their teachings) and blinden themselves to witnessing their uniqueness. There is no returning for him from his fate and desire. There is no preventing him from his clinging onto the pursuit of the lowly world. Such a person is like the one who is one who is in the darkness of the night and unaware of the road. He then lights a fire to see the way. Then, when it begins to burn and lighten up, Allah takes away its light, and the ashes and heat remain.
[Al-Bahr al-Madid]
May we forever be people of light!
Before Nur Healing, I felt disconnected from my faith. The stress of everyday life was overwhelming, and I couldn't find peace in my prayers. Khalid's gentle guidance and the healing meditations have transformed my life. I now feel a deep sense of calm and spiritual connection that I never thought possible.
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