The mind of the Prophet Muhammad, upon which the Tadjalli constantly descends, is directly connected to the Divine. When a seeker of Truth forms such spiritual closeness with the Prophet that his or her mind fills with the blessings and Lights of Prophethood (nur nabuwat), the Tadjalli of God begins to descend upon them. To strengthen this ability, the Muraqaba of Divine Essence (al dhat e’lahiya) is practiced so that the connection may be established and deepened, and the journey of Gnosis of the Essence (irfan e’lahiya) may continue eternally. When the person attains the required concentration on the Tadjalli of the Divine Essence, this stage is known as fana fi Allah or fana fi dhat (annihilation into the Divine).
In this Muraqaba, instead of the Attributes, the Essence is contemplated. The Divine Essence is beyond words and cannot be explained. No flight of human consciousness can ever reach its furthest boundaries; however, within the limits of perception, God can be felt. It is stated in the Qur’an:
“No human being can speak to Him except through signs, or from behind a veil, or through a messenger.”
(Surah Ash-Shura: 51)
The verse sheds light on the limits of human perception. When God communicates with humans, He does so through signs that the heart can perceive and recognize. This divine form of communication is called wahii (revelation). In the second method, God sends a messenger (angel), and the human eye beholds the messenger. In the third, God reveals a glimpse of Himself to His servant. This is known as hijab (the Divine Veil). In this state, God manifests Himself in a beautiful and luminous (nur ala nur) form. This radiant form is not God Himself but His Veil.
In the Muraqaba of the visualization of the Essence (al dhat), God is approached through various methods of inner dialogue. There are different types of this Muraqaba:
- The student visualizes that in his heart the Divine Name Allah is written in a luminous form, and through its light, the entire cosmos brightens.
- The student visualizes himself prostrating before God at the Divine Throne (arsh).
- The Divine Essence is perceived before him as Tadjalli.
- God is focused on him, and this focus appears as light shining upon the student.
- The student visualizes that God is watching him. This is known as the Muraqaba of Royet (Vision).
It is stated in the Qur’an, “Wherever you are, God is with you.” Hence in this Muraqaba, the omnipresence of God is visualized. This is known as the Muraqaba of Ma’eeyet (Divine Company).
In another Muraqaba, the verse “We are closer to you than your jugular vein” is contemplated. This is called the Muraqaba of Aqrab (Closeness).
“Wherever you turn, there is the Face of God.” Based on this verse, the student visualizes that God is everywhere.
It is also stated in the Qur’an that, “God encompasses everything that exists.” Hence the student visualizes that God is enveloping the entire cosmos.
In one Muraqaba, God is visualized as an endless Sea in which the student is like a tiny drop immersed within it.
In another, it is visualized that the entire universe is annihilated, and the only Being that exists is God.
When the student attains excellence in these forms of Muraqaba, then through the help of the Spiritual Master and the grace of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he witnesses the Tadjalli of the Divine Essence.