Waqt (367-370)
Muslim Mystics has used Waqt to denote the spiritual state in which anyone finds himself and by which he is currently dominated.
Waqt (time) is a term used by Sufis, whereby a man becomes independent of the past and future, e.g., when an influence from God descends into his soul and makes his heart collected (mujtami’) he has no memory of the past and no thought of that which is not yet come. The possessor of the ‘waqt’ may proclaim,
“Our knowledge cannot apprehend the future and the past, and we are happy with God in the present (andar waqt).” (1)
Abu Said also advised, “Do not occupy your precious time except with the most precious of things, and the most precious of human things is the state of being occupied between the past and the future.”
The world may become Hell for the possessor of ‘waqt’ (time), because he is contemplating absence from heaven, or sometimes he may feel like being in Paradise, and every moment to him brings to him a gift and happy message from God.
Waqt & Hazrat Muhammad (SAW)
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) has said, “ I have a time (waqt) with God in which none of the Angels nor any of the Prophets rival me, in which eighteen thousand worlds do not occur to my mind and have no worth in my eyes.” (Qur’an: 53: 7-18)
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) – the chosen one (Mustafa)- has been the noblest person, and the nobles are not engrossed save by that which is noble. Such times (awqat) for noble are two:
- One in the state of loss (faqd), the place of separation
- One in a state of gain (wajd), the place of union
It happens so that his volition is cut off from him; investing him with any attribute is impossible, and whatever he does or experiences is the result of “waqt.” No man can attain the reality of “Waqt” by exerting his choice, for “Waqt” is a thing that does not come within the scope of human acquisition, that it should be gained by effort, nor is it sold in the market, that anyone should give his life in exchange for it, and the will has no power either to attract or to repel it. That is why Sheikhs have said, “Time is a cutting sword.”
Ilm-al-waqt
According to Sahl (ra), “search of the knowledge of the state, i.e., the decision (hukm) of a man’s state. Which exists between him and God in this world and hereafter”. The object of human knowledge should be to know God and his commandments. Knowledge of “time” (ilm-al-waqt) and of all outward and inward circumstances of which the due effect depends on “time” is incumbent upon everyone. It involves making Muslim’s profession of faith through devotion and attainment of cognition through sincerity of heart.
Ibn-al-waqt
According to mystic tradition, ‘Ibn-al-waqt’ is a Sufi experiencing an unbounded spiritual state, which reflects the gifts he has been bestowed. He is more prone to being ‘reactive’ and acquiring emotional mode, and he is termed “Qalandar” and “Rind” as well. (Masnavi Maulvi Ma’navi, Urdu Translation & commentary by Qazi Sajjad Hussain, vol.1, p 45.
Abu-al-waqt
According to mystic tradition, ‘Abu-al-waqt’ is a Sufi having self-control over his expression. He knows his station and keeps it well hidden, not letting it disclosed to others in open raptures. experiencing an unbounded spiritual state, which reflects the gifts he has been bestowed.
Haal
Hal (state) is that which descends upon Waqt (time) and adorns it, as the spirit adorns the body. ‘Waqt’ requires ‘Haal,’ for waqt is beautiful by hal; he is no more subject to change and is made steadfast (mustaqim) in his state. If one has ‘waqt’ without hal’ he may lose it. With whom ‘‘hal’’ attaches itself, all his state becomes ‘waqt’ and cannot be lost. What seems to be coming and going (a`mad shud) is the development of (takawwun). A person may become forgetful. The tongue of the possessor of ‘hal’l is silent concerning his ‘hal,’ but his actions proclaim the reality of his ‘hal.’ ‘hal’ is also known as the annihilation of speech (maqal).
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