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Position, Color, and Attributes
The Latifa e Akhfa, or the secret energy point, is a crucial aspect of spiritual development described by Sheikh Mukaram (R.A). It is situated within the center of the chest, lying between the Latifa e Sirr and Latifa e Khafi energy points. This energy center represents a transitional state, bridging the stages of complete annihilation in divine unity (Fana-fi-Tanzih) and the ultimate realization of absolute oneness (Ahadiyyat) through solitary devotion.
The term "annihilation" (Tanzih) describes the purification process in which the seeker separates from all imper
fections, impurities, and defects that obscure his actual essence. It is the condition in which the divine essence fully expresses itself, assuming total control over all choices and actions. In this stage, the essence is entirely contained inside it, unadulterated by outside influences, and its qualities, rights, and essence cannot be shared by any other creature. Only when we surrender our goals and desires to Allah does He finds the true splendour.
We must declare;
"Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds, with no partner," they annihilate themselves in His pleasure.
Mujhy khaak mein mila kar meri khaak bhi urra day
Tery naam par mita hon mujhy kya gharz nishan say
“I may be totally dissolved in pleasure of my Lord. When I have put myself intentionally at complete disposal of my Sustainer. “
Leading Sufi leaders like Imam Rabbani Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Thani and my respected teacher taught about it. In this place, lucky people join with the Divine-orders in a very special way.
The Realization of Latifa Akhfa
How does one know that a seeker has achieved the state of annihilation (Fana) in Latifa e Akhfa? It is when the seeker receives the divine grace of Allah's essence along with His attributes in such abundance that they manifest and become visible in the realm of appearance and witnessing. It's like saying, "We haven't seen Paradise, but Allah’s friends have. We haven't seen angels, but they have." What's unseen becomes seen. Everything appears. Mentioning Latifa e Akhfa causes these effects.
Meaning, whatever is unseen can become manifest, and everything can begin to appear. All these effects are attained by mentioning Latifa e Akhfa.
The five energy points (Latifas) function as controllers of the realm of command. If they are controlled, meaning if they are permanently busy in Allah’s remembrance continuously, then the individual becomes capable of becoming a true servant of Allah in true letter and spirit. Through the blessing of remembrance (Dhikr), all paths are illuminated, and the eyes of the heart become enlightened.
As Allama Iqbal expresses:
Dil e beena bhi kar Khuda se talab
Aankh ka noor dil ka noor nahi
Khird kay paas khabar kay siwa kuch or nahi
Tera ilaj nazar kay siwa kuch or nahi
You must humbly request to Allah Almighty for opening your hidden(heart’s) eyes; Because, the light of our head’s eyes is not comparable to inward eyes.”
Flash of mind conveys outward data; whereas the divine -light glitters with Lord’s attributes.
By remembrance (Dhikr) of Latifa e Akhfa, man starts to observe the universe which is kept hidden.
The Incident of يا سارية إلى الجبل" “(OSariya! Be Attentive To The Hill)”
Hazrat Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) once addressed the congregation from the pulpit of Masjid al-Nabawi during the Friday sermon.
Suddenly, he exclaimed,
"Ya Sariyah ila al-Jabal!" [O Sariyah, to the mountain!]
Hafiz Ta'ib, the well-known Urdu poet recited as:
Hota Umar(R.A), Jo hota nabi koi mery baad, Is hukam e Mustafa(SAW) sy garami qadar Umer(R.A)
Iran mein chupy huewy, dushman day khabar Ya Sariyah! pukary jo wo deeda war Umar(R.A)
(i) “Umar the great will be the “Prophet” after Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) if there were any possibility of any new messenger of Allah Almighty.”
(ii) “ He “Umar the great” disclosed the hidden enemy of the muslims even in “Iran” ; He warned the commander of Islamic Army by indicating to the mountains; " It was only Umar the Great.”
Companions inquired after Jumah prayer about the unusual statement you made today. Umar(R.A) explained that the Muslim army was in a major fight. He saw enemies would come from behind the hill, and attack. He directed the army leader to keep a watch towards the mountain. Indeed, this action exemplifies Umar’s (R.A) ongoing strategic approach.
Satanic Behavior
Similarly, when Hazrat Adam was descended from heaven to earth, it was Satan who misguided him with false promises to bring him down on earth and leave Jannah. Satan could not have returned them alone; he accomplished all this through his behavior(unseen conspiracies). This is deception. If Satan, despite being wrong and rejected, holds so much power, why can't we pay attention to the source of growth and guidance for the whole world?
It is stated in the Holy Quran:
"The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves." (Surah Al-Ahzab)
(The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves.) ( Al. Ahzaab: 6)
Reaching the witnessing station, a more unique rank within the Wilayat e Muhammadiya, signifies the activation of the Latifa e Akhfa. The Prophet (peace be upon him) led the prayer twice, raising his hands to the sky each time, and then lowering them, as reported in the hadiths. When his companions questioned him about the reason after the prayer, he replied that he was seeing the fruits of Paradise. For some reason, just as he was reaching out to pick them, he withdrew. In addition to seeing paradise, which is located above the seven heavens, the Prophet (peace be upon him) also reaches there with his blessed hand.
The Recitation of Hazrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri(R.A) and Angels
Similarly, Hazrat Abu Sa'eed Khudri(R.A) reported seeing rows of angels during the recitation, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) once inquired about a companion's morning. He responded by saying, "O Messenger of Allah, I am seeing Paradise, and the Tablet and Pen are before my eyes."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) interrupted him as he was about to go into further detail, saying,
"O my companion, you have achieved the ultimate reality, now keep your tongue silent." [A saying of the Prophet (SAW)]
(Whoever remains silent will be saved.)
What is Ain ul Yaqin(visual certainty) and Haq ul Yaqin(true certainty)?
The Imam Rabbani, Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Thani (R.A), defines the concept of "certainty" in Sufism as follows: The faith of common people is at the level of "knowledge of certainty" (Ilm al-Yaqeen), whereas the faith of God's people reaches "visual certainty" (Ain al-Yaqeen), and a select few are blessed to reach the station of "true certainty" (Haq al-Yaqeen). He says that while common people hear about it, those who follow God are able to see it with their own eyes and reach the level of virtuous and spiritual perception.
The seeker's conceit, self-promotion, and self-loathing tendencies vanish, and they totally destroy themselves in the essence of Allah Almighty from head to toe, which is a sign of realizing Latifa e Akhfa.
Their self vanishes from within themselves.
Mita day apni hasti ko gar koi martaba chahey
Dana khaak mein mil kar gul o gulzar hota hy
“You must annihilate your-existence into your Lord’s consent; The growing seed gets, moisturous gift when it dethrowns itself into soil.”
The First Obligation of the Perfect Sheikh
The Sheikh and the disciple in this situation have a relationship similar to that of the dead and the person who cleanses their body (ghussal). It implies that the disciple accepts the teachings of the Sheikh wholeheartedly and without question. The greatest impediment to the Sheikh's path is the conceit, vanity, self-absorption, and arrogance of the follower. The Sheikh gets rid of these imperfections initially.
For this reason, he trains the follower via a variety of spiritual practices; prayer, group invocations (dhikr), and his presence in the form of direction. If someone is lucky enough to come under his sight and, by Allah's permission, attain a good state, then destiny shifts and the seeker is included in the group of Allah's approved servants.
By mentioning Latifa e Akhfa, the seeker is saved from the deadly disease of arrogance, and instead, Allah bestows upon him the virtues of humility and submission. The light of this Latifa is green.
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