A001
Surah: 100 - Ayah: 001
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100:1
In the beginning of Suratu'l `Adiyat (100:1), the things by which God, the Great, the Exalted, has sworn are exoterically the snorting horses of the mujahids of Islam, but esoterically they are the fast breathing adhkar, due to whose rapid speed, sparks of light fly. As a result of this spiritual jihad, the spoils of light and happiness are attained in the morning. By these spoils are meant knowledge and wisdom, which remove every impurity and disease of the intellect and soul (of the mujahids), so that they may penetrate the group of the enemies of Islam through spiritual fighting and strike them a fatal blow.
As physical distances are traversed either on foot or on a mount, so in the internal world, the spiritual stages are covered by dhikr-u cibÀdat, knowledge and wisdom. Thus in verses (100:1-5) if on the one hand physical horses are mentioned, on the other the spiritual horses are mentioned, which are the rapid adhkar, due to whose rapidity, force and continuity, the animal soul dissolves and scatters sparks. Then in the morning, the booty of spiritual wealth is obtained, by which the agony of the heart dissipates and the spiritual victories of Islam increase.
Adiyat - sing. adiyah (Chargers, coursers)
It is said in verse (100:1): "By the snorting chargers." Exoterically they are the chargers of those who do jihad, but esoterically they are the angels who do breathing dhikr, rapid dhikr and dhikr with the blowing of sur.
"by the snorting coursers" (100:1)'
The courser of physical jihad is an animal, but the courser of spiritual jihad is first, Divine Remembrance and then, knowledge, both of which rise to different levels. When remembrance (dhikr) and knowledge start to speak automatically, then they are called da‘i [caller]. It is because of this that, in Nasir-i Khusraw’s Wajh-i Din, the ta’wil of the horse is da‘i, who is hidden in the personal world. In Adkhar (pl. of dhikr), the most effective and successful is rapid dhikr, and therefore, God swears by it. The ta’wil of the snorting of the horse is to put pressure on the carnal soul by the rapidity and vehemence of dhikr. It also means to be absorbed in the voice of one’s own dhikr.
Q423 Please explain the ta’wili secrets of verses (100:1-5): “By the snorting chargers, by the strikers of fire, by the dawn raiders, blazing a trail of dust, penetrating deep the centre of the foe.”
A423
- When in the darkness of the night a salik does rapid dhikr putting pressure on his carnal soul and he continues to do so the carnal soul dissolves and sparks of light appear.
- Victory and success in the spiritual jihad takes place mostly in the luminous time of the morning.
- It must be remembered that the one who performs dhikr and cibadat half-heartedly, remains far away from their miracles. May the Holy Lord grant success of doing cibadat with ardent love.
This verse has been referred 9 times.