6th Stage: "Reaching level of irshad (guidance) | Becoming muhlis"
When the stations in the spiritual journey are analyzed, it is seen that a person who has reached the station of Ulûl'elbab has not yet reached the level of irshad (guidance). At this stage, the person is being prepared by Allah for the Ikhlas Station. The Ulûl'elbab station is an important stage where the person reaches the point of continuous dhikr, is made the owner of the lübbs (treasuries of secrets), and is shown the layers of the earth.
Tawbat an-Nasuh and the Process of Becoming Muhlis
In a person's spiritual development, a day comes when they are invited by Allah to Tawbat an-Nasuh (the sincere repentance). This invitation is a sufficient and necessary reason for the person to become muhlis. This repentance, performed in the presence of Allah, is a "non-abrogated" repentance, meaning it is a repentance that cannot be changed or corrupted.
As stated in the Holy Qur'ân, the group that even the devil (satan, iblis) cannot influence is the muhlis servants:
38/SÂD-82: (The devil): "I swear by Your might that I will surely lead them all astray."
38/SÂD-83: "Except for Your muhlis servants among them."
The Point Where Irshad Occurs
The moment a person repents with Tawbat an-Nasuh is the place where they are guided. This repentance is permanent, and the person lives under a spiritual protection throughout their life where this repentance is not broken. There is a special status where being guided is accepted by Allah and the person is granted a spiritual rank.
When the person first submitted to their spiritual guide (murshid), their sins were covered and converted into good deeds. A similar divine process occurs at the Tawbat an-Nasuh stage:
- The person's sins are covered.
- The covered sins are converted into good deeds.
- Their own Spirit comes above the person's head.
While the spirit and light of the imam of the time were above the person's head until this stage, at this point, Allah brings the person's own spirit above their head as a new light. With the completion of this process, Allah addresses that person as follows:
"You have been appointed and authorized for irshad."
Transition from Dhikr to Tesbih: The Dimension of Will
The person who reaches the post of religious guide is in a state of continuous dhikr; however, this dhikr now turns into a "tesbih" (involuntary constant remembrance of the name of Allah). If the person is someone at a level to be appointed to the post of religious guide, the Universal Will takes over and continues the dhikr that they started with their partial will. This is the system of the uninterrupted continuation of the word "Allah".
If the person is a Saint Messenger or a Prophet Messenger, the will that comes into play is not the Universal Will, but the Divine Will. The action that takes place at this point is the tesbih of the Divine Will. Prophets such as Our Master Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Isa (Jesus) (PBUH), and Hazrat Musa (PBUH) were the owners of this universal dhikr and tesbih.
The Balance of Prophethood and Sainthood
During the period when the imams of the time were prophets, this post was represented by prophethood (nübüvvet). However, Our Master Muhammad (PBUH) is the last prophet, and with Him, the institution of prophethood has ended. The Holy Qur'ân clearly states this situation:
33/AHZÂB-40: Muhammad (PBUH) is not the father of any of your men. But He is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal (the last) of the Prophets. Allah is the All-Knower of everything.
Thus, the institution of prophethood has ended. But saint messengers will continue to serve as the imams of the time until The doomsday. Furthermore, in every nation, in all eras, a messenger of Allah will always be alive within that nation, a messenger who speaks the language of that nation.
Conclusion: The Foundation of Being a Spiritual Guide
In summary, being guided is a personal phenomenon and occurs with the help of Allah. Tawbat an-Nasuh is a bridge for the final spiritual processes to be performed. When a person is guided, they have completed their preparation to become a spiritual guide. Becoming muhlis and being guided are the foundation of being a spiritual guide. When a person reaches this level, the Divine Will or the Universal Will is executed on that person without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a person who reaches the Ulûl'elbab station considered to have been guided?
No, they have not. The Ulûl'elbab station is a station where continuous dhikr is reached and one becomes the owner of the treasuries of secrets, but the person has not yet reached the level of irshad. Allah is preparing this person for the station of ikhlas.
What is Tawbat an-Nasuh?
Tawbat an-Nasuh is a repentance made in the presence of Allah, which is non-abrogated (cannot be changed) and is a definitive repentance. It is a gateway for the person to become muhlis.
Can Tawbat an-Nasuh be broken?
No. Whoever repents in the presence of Allah with Tawbat an-Nasuh, this is a permanent repentance. No event can break this person's repentance, and the person lives under this assurance throughout their life.
What happens to the person's sins when they are guided?
When guidance occurs with Tawbat an-Nasuh, Allah covers the person's sins and converts these sins into good deeds.
Which spirit is found above the head of the person at the post of religious guide?
When one first submits to the spiritual guide, the spirit of the imam of the time is above the person's head. However, when the post of religious guide (after Tawbat an-Nasuh) is reached, Allah brings the person's own spirit above their head as a light.
What authority is given by Allah to the person who is guided?
After all spiritual processes are completed, Allah addresses that person with the sentence, "You have been appointed and authorized for irshad."
What is the difference between dhikr and tesbih?
Dhikr is an action that a person performs with their own will. At the post of religious guide, dhikr turns into tesbih; because the action is no longer continued by the person's partial will, but by the Universal Will (or the Divine Will, depending on the situation) without interruption.
What is the difference between the Universal Will and the Divine Will?
In saints appointed to the post of religious guide, the Universal Will continues the dhikr. However, if the person is a Saint Messenger or a Prophet Messenger, the will that comes into play is directly the Divine Will.
Is prophethood (nübüvvet) continuing?
No. The institution of prophethood ended with Our Master Muhammad (PBUH) (Ahzâb-40). However, saint messengers (spiritual guides) will continue to serve until the doomsday.
What is the prerequisite for becoming a spiritual guide?
The foundation of being a spiritual guide is that the person must be muhlis, must have performed Tawbat an-Nasuh, and must be guided. A person must first be guided themselves so that they can reach the identity to guide others.