Religious Problem in India

Author(s): Annie Besant
Publisher: Theosophist Office Adyar

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THE RELIGIOUS PROBLEM IN INDIA
Sufism, according to the Awarifu-d-ma'arif † teaches how the Path is to be trodden. This is divided into three stages: Shari'at, the Law; Tarikat, the Way; Hakikat, The Truth. These are thus illustrated: A man asked a Shaikh-spiritual teacher-what were the three stages. He answered: "Go and strike each of the three men you see sitting there." He went and struck the first; the man leapt to his feet and returned the blow. He struck the second; the man flushed up, made a motion to rise, clenched his fists, but restrained himself. He struck the third; the man took no notice. "The first," said the Shaikh, "is in the Law; the second in the Way; the third in the Truth."
The Prophet Muhammad is, of course, recognised as the supreme authority, but to tread the Path a Shaikh is necessary, and the Murid, the disciple, must show him the most absolute devotion and submission; he must obey him in every thing without reserve or hesitation: "If thou art bidden to drench thy prayer-carpet in wine, do it; for the Shaikh knows all that thou knowest, and more." Prolonged meditation is enjoined, and goes up the various stages up to Wajd-Samadhi-extasy. Kabi'a, a Woman mentioned by Ibn Khallikān (A. D. 1211-1282), would go to the house-top at night and say: "O God! hushed is the day's noise; with his beloved is the lover. But I have thee for my Lover, and alone with Thee, I joy." Only God contents the
+ A book written in the 13th century by Shaikh Shahabn-d-Din, Companion in Sufism to the Diran-i-Khwaja Hafiz. Translated by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Wilberforce Clarke.