MAQAMAT DAN AHWAL -Jenal Bustomi, M.Ag.

Summary

This lecture, delivered in an Islamic studies class, discusses the stages of Tasawwuf (Sufism) as an integral part of practicing Islam. The speaker explains two main stages: 'makamat' (spiritual efforts) and 'ahwal' (spiritual states). Makamat requires active effort, with repentance (tawbah), piety (taqwa), and remembrance of God (dhikr) as key stages. Ahwal, on the other hand, are divine gifts granted as a result of spiritual efforts. The lecturer emphasizes focusing on actions that are within one's control, like repentance and piety, while the deeper states, such as love for God (mahabbah), are bestowed by Allah.

Takeaways

• 🕌 Tasawuf, or Sufism, is an essential part of practicing Islam and has specific stages that must be followed.
• 🔄 The first stage of Tasawuf is repentance (Tawbah), which involves turning away from sins and returning to obedience with sincere remorse.
• 💡 Repentance is built on knowledge, regret, and action, with the knowledge of sinful actions leading to heartfelt remorse and the resolve to stop sinning.
• 📖 Knowledge of what is sinful and what is righteous comes from learning, emphasizing the importance of acquiring religious knowledge.
• 🛡️ The second stage is Taqwa (piety), which involves consistently following Allah's commands and avoiding His prohibitions.
• 🗣️ Zikir (remembrance of Allah) is essential in practicing Taqwa, and it can transform from spoken words (zikir lisan) to remembrance in the heart (zikir khafi).
• 🌟 Zikir, when done sincerely, leads to Kashf, which is the unveiling of the spiritual veils between a person and Allah.
• 💖 Mahabbah (love for Allah) is the ultimate goal of Tasawuf, and it is a divine gift that follows consistent practice and remembrance.
• ☪️ Makrifat (deep knowledge or awareness of Allah) and Kashf are not stages that can be sought directly but are gifts granted by Allah as a result of sincere effort.
• ✨ True piety (Taqwa) grows and strengthens through continuous practice, eventually leading to closeness to Allah and spiritual enlightenment.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture in this script?

The lecture focuses on the stages of Tasawuf (Islamic mysticism) or practicing Islam. It outlines the different stages involved in Tasawuf, emphasizing both the effort-based stages (maqamat) and those that are granted as blessings (ahwal).

What are the two main categories of stages in Tasawuf mentioned in the script?

The two main categories of stages in Tasawuf are maqamat (stages that require effort) and ahwal (stages that are blessings from Allah and not directly achieved through effort).

What is the first stage in the path of Tasawuf according to scholars like Al-Qushayri and Al-Ghazali?

The first stage in the path of Tasawuf is repentance (tawbah). It is described as turning away from sins and returning to obedience to Allah with a sense of regret in one's heart.

How is repentance (tawbah) defined in the context of Tasawuf?

Repentance (tawbah) is defined as returning from disobedience (sins) to obedience with sincere regret. It involves leaving sinful actions and embracing actions that are commanded by Allah.

What are the three essential components of repentance according to Imam Al-Ghazali?

The three components of repentance are knowledge (understanding sinful actions), the state of the soul (feeling sorrow or unease due to sins), and action (striving to leave sin and return to obedience).

What is the relationship between repentance (tawbah) and God-consciousness (taqwa) in the script?

Repentance (tawbah) and God-consciousness (taqwa) are closely related, with repentance leading to taqwa. Taqwa is described as following Allah's commands and avoiding prohibitions, which is essentially the goal of repentance.

How is dhikr (remembrance of Allah) described in the context of Tasawuf?

Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is described as an essential practice in Tasawuf. It involves continuously remembering Allah through actions like prayer, recitation, and focusing the heart on Allah, moving from verbal remembrance to internal, heartfelt awareness.

What is the meaning of kashf in Tasawuf?

Kashf refers to the unveiling or opening of the spiritual heart, allowing a person to perceive divine realities. It is seen as a transition from verbal dhikr to dhikr in the heart, where the barriers between the individual and Allah are removed.

What is ma'rifah (gnosis) according to the script?

Ma'rifah (gnosis) is described as the knowledge and recognition of Allah. It is an inner realization where the heart witnesses and becomes aware of Allah, often referred to as seeing Allah with the heart or experiencing divine presence.

What is the ultimate stage in the practice of Tasawuf according to Imam Al-Ghazali?

The ultimate stage in Tasawuf, according to Imam Al-Ghazali, is mahabbah (love of Allah). This stage represents deep affection and closeness to Allah, resulting in actions performed out of love, contentment, and devotion to Allah.