Wisdom of the Divine

Wisdom of the Divine - Part 5

by Shiekh M. R. Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Rad)

Chapter 1: Peace

Chapter 2: Origination of the Soul, the Life within Life, the Light Unseen

Chapter 3: The death of the 'I' consciousness, necessary for Perfection and Purity of the Soul

Chapter 4: The compete transformation of the Qualb, the precondition for Haqeeqath Insan  

Chapter 5: Acquiring the Light Form of the Soul, the Sura Al Inshirah of the Ruh, the Message of the Mihraj 

Overall progression of the five chapters

The chapters follow a clear spiritual progression:

Chapter 1: Discovering peace by overcoming ego
↓
Chapter 2: Understanding the divine origin of the soul and light
↓
Chapter 3: Destroying the “I” consciousness and base qualities
↓
Chapter 4: Transforming the heart and realising Haqeeqat Insan
↓
Chapter 5: Acquiring the light form of the soul and attaining spiritual communion

Overall interpretation

The central argument of Wisdom of the Divine is that the human being contains a hidden divine potential. However, this potential remains concealed by ego, desire, illusion, attachment and discrimination. Through faith, self-examination, Zikr, surrender, compassion and the purification of the heart, the individual progresses from ordinary human consciousness towards the state of the Perfect Human Being, whose qualities reflect divine mercy, wisdom, unity and peace.

The five chapters can therefore be understood as a journey:

From ego to peace, from darkness to light, from ordinary humanity to spiritual perfection.

Chapter 1: Peace

Central theme: True peace can only be attained by overcoming the ego and its associated qualities.

The chapter explains that human suffering is connected to what people themselves seek and create through their actions, desires and ignorance. Anger, arrogance, greed, lust and attachment are presented as forces that disturb the mind and prevent spiritual progress.

A major teaching is the need to destroy the consciousness of “I” and “mine.” The ego creates pride, selfishness, discrimination and misery. The author argues that outward religious labels are less important than the condition of the heart (Qualb).

The chapter also emphasises:

• Allah as the sole source of peace and life

• The importance of certainty of faith (Iman)

• The unity of humanity beyond religious labels

• The need to purify the heart rather than merely maintain outward religious identity

• The idea that Allah looks at the inner state of the heart rather than external appearances

Main message: Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is the inner state achieved when ego, pride and division are removed and the heart becomes aligned with Allah.

Chapter 2: Origination of the Soul, the Life within Life, the Light Unseen

Central theme: The soul originates from divine light and must ultimately return to its source.

This chapter presents a detailed Sufi cosmology describing different stages or manifestations of divine light associated with Muhammad. These include:

• Ana’athi Muhammad: The unmanifested primal divine consciousness

• A’adhi Muhammad: The emergence of divine beauty

• Awwal Muhammad: The emergence of divine effulgence

• Hyat Muhammad: The light of life

• Annal Muhammad: The light of sustenance

• Noor Muhammad: The perfect divine light

• Allah Muhammad: The final merging in which nothing exists independently of Allah

The chapter distinguishes between the physical form of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the deeper spiritual reality of the Noor Muhammad, understood as divine light and guidance.

It also teaches that the Qualb, or spiritual heart, is the centre through which divine wisdom can be perceived. Through Zikr, surrender, repentance and purification, the seeker gradually develops the capacity to recognise the divine reality within.

Main message: Human beings are not merely physical bodies. They contain a deeper spiritual reality originating from divine light, and spiritual practice is the process of rediscovering that origin.

Chapter 3: The Death of the “I” Consciousness

Central theme: The ego must be overcome for the soul to attain purity and perfection.

This chapter explores the composition of the human being through the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. These elements are used symbolically to explain the physical and psychological forces that influence human behaviour.

The author identifies three major forces that obstruct spiritual development:

1. The ego or “I” consciousness

2. Lust and attachment to sensual desires

3. Illusion or Maya, which causes the mind to become distracted and unstable

These forces are described metaphorically through animalistic and destructive qualities such as the serpent, dog, elephant and monkey mind.

The chapter argues that although all living beings share similar physical components, what distinguishes the perfected human being is the development of divine qualities such as:

• Compassion

• Humility

• Mercy

• Kindness

• Equality

• Self-restraint

• Love for fellow beings

The true human being is one who recognises the shared nature of all life and ceases to discriminate between people based on status, religion or identity.

Main message: The destruction of ego is not physical death. It is the removal of the selfish, arrogant and destructive qualities that prevent the divine qualities within the human being from emerging.

Chapter 4: The Complete Transformation of the Qualb

Central theme: Transformation of the spiritual heart is necessary to attain Haqeeqat Insan, the Reality of the Human Being.

This chapter develops the concept of Haq, meaning Absolute Truth or Ultimate Reality. Haq is described as the divine treasure present within every living being. Every creature possesses this inner reality as its essential life and consciousness.

The chapter traces a spiritual sequence:

Haq → Rabb → Noor → Noor Muhammad → Haqeeqat Insaniya → Insan

This represents the emergence of creation from the unmanifest divine reality through light and ultimately into the human spiritual archetype.

A major teaching is that the Qualb is the place where the divine reality, divine light and the soul converge. It is the inner centre through which the human being can discover the mystery of existence.

The chapter explains that human beings possess the potential to perceive their own spiritual origin, but this requires:

• Knowledge (Ilm)

• Wisdom and reason (Aql and Arivu)

• Faith and certainty (Iman)

• Deep contemplation

• Purification of the heart

• Freedom from egoistic attachments

The transformation of the Qualb is therefore not merely emotional or moral. It is an ontological transformation in which the person begins to realise the divine reality within.

Main message: The human heart must be completely transformed so that it becomes a pure receptacle for divine knowledge, light and truth.

Chapter 5: Acquiring the Light Form of the Soul, the Surat al-Inshirah of the Ruh and the Message of the Mihraj

Central theme: The purified heart develops a light form capable of spiritual communion with Allah.

This chapter explains the deeper, esoteric meaning of Mihraj, traditionally understood as the Prophet’s ﷺ Ascension. The author interprets Mihraj as the movement of the enlightened spiritual heart from darkness into divine light.

The “night” is used symbolically to represent:

• Ignorance

• Spiritual darkness

• Ego

• Base desires

• Attachment to the physical world

The emergence of light represents:

• Wisdom

• Enlightenment

• Purification

• Unity

• Peace

• The transformation of the soul

The chapter strongly emphasises that Islam is understood inwardly as peace, unity, brotherhood and the removal of hatred and division. The real struggle of Islam is described as the struggle against one’s own ego, anger, jealousy, pride, selfishness and destructive desires.

The author also presents the human being as a microcosm containing the essence of the divine revelation. The Quran is described symbolically as being reflected in the perfected human form.

The perfected Qualb becomes free from worldly attachments and takes on a light form. This light form is then capable of communion with Allah. The Mihraj is therefore presented not only as a historical prophetic event but also as a spiritual possibility for the purified human being.

Main message: When the heart is completely purified from ego and worldly attachment, it becomes an enlightened form of light capable of approaching and experiencing divine reality.