Spiritual Experiences - The Story of Maryam (May peace be through her) = The Story of the Hujjat

The Story of Maryam (May peace be through her) = The Story of the Hujjat

1. In the Qur'an, the story of Hazrat-i Maryam (May peace be through her) is also an example of the Hujjat or the 'Arif. Even though every fruit of the paradise of knowledge apparently seems to be one, in reality it is two (55:52). For instance, Dhu'l-Qarnayn is one in zahir but two in batin. Similarly, Hazrat-i Adam (May peace be through him) is two: one in past history and one in your personal world. The ark of Hazrat-i Nuh (May peace be through him) is also not one but rather two: the symbol and the symbolised. The world is not one but two: the microcosm and the macrocosm. In short, everything is in pairs.

2. The first reason that the Hujjat is mentioned in the story of Hazrat-i Maryam (May peace be through her) is that she herself held the rank of hujjat. The second reason is that, in relation to the Imam, the hujjat [despite being biologically a male] is spiritually a woman. Hazrat-i Maryam (May peace be through her) is therefore a prominent example of a hujjat because she is a woman both physically and spiritually. The third reason is that Allah wished to keep the secrets of the hujjat hidden from the common people in this way.

3. The verbal and the personal Supreme Name (ism-i a'zam) are also a pair. Thus, the personal ism-i a'zam (the Imam (May peace be through him) of the time) gave Hazrat-i Maryam (May peace be through her) a verbal ism-i a'zam, in which the light was to appear to her in many ways. Extremely magnificent and marvellous manifestations occur for hujjats and `arifs. For example, the physical manifestation of the Imam (May peace be through him) of the time, which is in the luminous body and which is the most bewildering, is the light of the mu'min men and mu'min women which runs, i.e., its miracle happens with lightning speed.

4. Sawm means fast, sa'im (fasting male) and sa'imah (fasting female). Hazrat -i Maryam (May peace be through her) was sa'imah in the beginning. That is, she was initially ordered to remain silent concerning spiritual secrets. As mentioned in the Qur'an (19:26), "If you see a person, say: I have vowed to keep the fast for God, so today I will not speak to anyone". From this verse we come to know that in the beginning of spirituality one is not permitted to reveal secrets, but it is true that at the level of completion and perfection, permission can be granted. As it is said in the Qur'an in verse (66:8): "O Our Lord, make our light complete for us". Here it is alluded that the permission to do ta'wil will be granted after the perfection of light.

Zulfiqar Abad, Gilgit, 12th May 1997
Thursday, 7 Muharramu'l-Haram 1418 A.H.

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