ḤAQQU ʾL-YAQĪN (حق اليقين)
Definition
ḤAQQU ʾL-YAQĪN (حق اليقين) is an Islamic term used predominantly in the context of Ṣūfī mysticism. It translates to “a conviction of the truth” and refers to a profound spiritual state. In this state, the seeker (Ṣūfī) achieves an absolute and positive conviction of divine truth, characterized by the self-perceived extinction of their individual identity and their fusion into the Essence of God.
Etymology
- Arabic: حق اليقين (Ḥaqqu ʾl-yaqīn)
- Ḥaqqu: Derived from “حق” (ḥaqq), meaning “truth” or “right”.
- ʾl-Yaqīn: Comes from “اليقين” (al-yaqīn), which means “certainty” or “conviction”.
Understanding ḤAQQU ʾL-YAQĪN in Sufism
The Concept of Yaqīn
The term belongs to a broader framework of yaqīn (يقين), which denotes certainty and is often divided into three progressive stages in Islamic mysticism:
- ʿIlmu ʾl-Yaqīn (علم اليقين): The knowledge of certainty. It is the intellectual comprehension and acknowledgment of truth through learning and contemplation.
- ‘Aynu’l-Yaqīn (عين اليقين): The eye of certainty. This stage implies experiencing truth visually or directly, like witnessing evidence firsthand.
- Ḥaqquʾl-Yaqīn (حق اليقين): The truth of certainty. It is the highest level, where the seeker becomes one with the experienced truth, reflecting a state where personal identity subsumes into the divine reality.
Significance in Ṣūfī Mysticism
In Ṣūfī practice, the goal is not just to reach intellectual understanding or visual appreciation of God’s truth but to attain an existential union with the divine. This level of yaqīn sees the seeker entirely absorbed into the essence of God, abandoning the self and immersing fully in divine presence.
Books for Further Study
- “The Path of Muhammad: A Book on Islamic Morals and Ethics” by Imam Birgivi – This book provides insights into how certainty and truth are perceived within Islamic ethics.
- “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Editor) – It offers an extensive understanding of Quranic views on topics including yaqīn.
- “The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn al-Arabi’s Metaphysics of Imagination” by William C. Chittick – A detailed examination of Ṣūfī thought, including concepts of certainty and union with God.
Takeaways
- ḤAQQU ʾL-YAQĪN is a significant term in Ṣūfī mysticism denoting a supreme level of understanding and unity with the divine essence.
- The concept represents the ultimate goal discussed extensively in Islamic philosophy and is a critical aspect of the spiritual journey in Ṣūfism.
Conclusion
ḤAQQU ʾL-YAQĪN serves as a key term encapsulating the heightened state of spiritual realization and certainty sought by Ṣūfī mystics. It emphasizes the profound journey of transcending personal identity to align completely with the divine truth, offering valuable insights into the depth of Islamic spiritual practice and philosophy. Exploring this term invites broader reflection on the nature of truth, certainty, and the mystical path in Islam.
