Ma'rifa
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In Sufism, ma'rifa (Arabic: معرفة, romanized: ma‘rifah, lit. 'knowledge') describes the mystical intuitive knowledge of spiritual truth reached through ecstatic experiences, rather than revealed or rationally acquired.
A seeker of ma'rifa is called 'arif, "the one who knows".[1]
In one of the earliest accounts of the Maqamat-l arba'in ("forty stations") in Sufism, Sufi master Abu Said ibn Abi'l-Khayr lists ma'rifa as the 25th station: "Through all the creatures of the two worlds, and through all the people, they perceive Allah, and there is no accusation to be made of their perception."[citation needed]
Marifat is one of the "Four Doors" of Sufism:
- Sharia (Arabic: شريعة) : legal path.
- Tariqa (Arabic: طريقة) : methodico‑esoteric path.
- Haqiqa (Arabic: حقيقة) : mystical truth / verity.
- Ma'rifa (Arabic: معرفة) : mystical knowledge & awareness, mysticism.
A metaphor to explain the meaning of ma'rifa involves pearl gathering. Shari'a is the boat; tariqa is represented by the pearl gatherer's rowing and diving; haqiqa is the pearl; and ma'rifa is the gift to see the true pearl perpetually.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Religion vol. 1 ISBN 8182052033, 2005, p. 67
- ^ Geertz, Clifford (1976). The religion of Java. University of Chicago Press. p. 183. ISBN 9780226285108. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
Works cited
- Damadi, M. (April 1971). Maqamat-l arba'in.
- Gulen, M. Fethullah (2004). Key Concepts in the Practice of Sufism, Emerald hills of the heart. Vol. 2. p. 135.
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