In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Awwaluddin Ma’rifatullah
The beginning of faith is knowing Allah
- Purpose of Life: Why Do I Exist?: Preface
- How to Worship & Know Allah: The Journey of Experiential Knowledge
- The Beginning of Deen is Knowing Allah
- Part 1/8: Acquired & Bestowed Knowledge
- Part 2/8: Sharia, Tariqa, Haqiqa, Marifa
B. Levels of Divine Recognition
The journey of knowing Allah progresses through four interconnected stages, each building upon the previous:
Sharia (Divine Law)
The journey toward true recognition of Allah begins with Sharia, the divine law that forms the external framework of religious practice.
Sharia provides clear guidance through the Qur’an and the Sunnah, outlining precise laws, prescribed acts of worship, and ethical standards for daily living.
By adhering to Islamic laws—such as performing the five daily prayers, observing fasting during Ramadan, paying zakat, and living ethically—a believer lays the groundwork for a disciplined and righteous life.
Beyond mere compliance, Sharia serves a greater purpose: it instills discipline, organises spiritual priorities, and teaches self-restraint.
The laws and guidelines are not ends in themselves, but rather means to cultivate a heart that is conscious of Allah and a life attuned to His commands.
The establishment of this external structure is essential, as it ensures consistency and accountability in worship, and provides a strong foundation upon which deeper spiritual journeys—such as Tariqa, Haqiqa, and eventually Marifa—can be built.
In this way, Sharia is both a starting point and a constant companion on the path to deeper divine recognition (Marifa).
Tariqah (Spiritual Path)
Tariqah, or the spiritual path, represents the next stage of the journey in recognising Allah, focusing on the inward dimensions of faith that extend beyond rote/mechanical adherence to external laws.
While Shariah provides the outer structure, Tariqah is concerned with cultivating the inner reality—it is the pursuit of a genuine spiritual connection with Allah.
This stage invites the seeker to refine their character, cleanse their intentions, and purify the heart (tazkiyah) from traits such as pride, envy, and insincerity.
Key elements of Tariqah include regular remembrance of Allah (dhikr), dedicated spiritual exercises (mujahadah), and consistent self-reflection (musahabah).
These practices serve to deepen one’s mindfulness of the Divine presence, foster humility, and nurture love and sincerity in worship.
Through Tariqah, believers strive for inner purification (tazkiyah), gradually transforming their spiritual states until each worship act is animated by true devotion and awareness.
By journeying this inner path, the seeker is prepared to move beyond superficial practice and take meaningful steps toward discovering the deeper truths of Haqiqah and the intimate realisation of Marifah.
Haqiqah (Ultimate Truth)
Haqiqah, or Ultimate Truth, marks a pivotal stage on the spiritual journey by introducing the seeker to the deeper realities beneath the surface of existence.
At this level, the believer’s understanding transcends the outward forms and rituals, leading to an awakened recognition of Allah’s presence in every aspect of creation.
Haqiqah is characterised by deeper insight into the divine wisdom that underlies the universe, an ability to perceive the true purpose behind life’s events, and a comprehension of spiritual truths that guide one’s thoughts and behaviour.
The illumination that comes from Haqiqah transforms how a person understands both life and worship. Actions are no longer seen as isolated rituals or routines, but are recognised as expressions of a meaningful, divinely-orchestrated reality.
This deeper comprehension dissolves heedlessness, encourages greater reliance on Allah, and fills the believer with awe, humility, and gratitude.
Ultimately, arriving at Haqiqah opens the heart to experience the unity of creation and prepares the soul to receive the highest stage of the journey—the intimate, experiential knowledge embodied in Marifah.
Ma’rifah (Divine Gnosis)
Ma’rifah, or Divine Gnosis, represents the summit of the spiritual journey and the highest level of divine recognition a believer can attain.
At this exalted stage, the seeker does not only know about Allah in an intellectual sense, but experiences an intimate and living awareness of His presence in every circumstance.
This awareness goes beyond conceptual understanding—it is a direct, experiential knowledge that permeates the heart and soul, filling every thought and action with the light of divine consciousness.
Reaching Ma’rifah is marked by a complete spiritual awakening, wherein all veils between the servant and the Creator are lifted, allowing for an unmediated experience of nearness to Allah.
The individual’s inner being becomes attuned to the subtle realities of the Divine, fostering a state where trust, love, and surrender naturally arise.
In this condition, the believer enjoys an immersive and continuous connection with Allah, whereby worship becomes a state of being and every moment is a testament to Allah’s presence and mercy.
This ultimate realisation is the fulfilment of the spiritual quest and the true purpose for which humanity was created.
REACHING MA’RIFAH IS MARKED BY A COMPLETE SPIRITUAL AWAKENING, WHEREIN ALL VEILS BETWEEN THE SERVANT AND THE CREATOR ARE LIFTED, ALLOWING FOR AN UNMEDIATED EXPERIENCE OF NEARNESS TO ALLAH.
Key Takeaways
The journey of knowing Allah progresses through four interconnected stages, each building upon the previous:
1. Shariah (Divine Law)
- Foundation: The external framework of religious practice
- Components:
- Following Islamic laws and guidelines
- Performing obligatory worship
- Adhering to ethical conduct
- Purpose: Establishes discipline and structure in worship
2. Tariqah (Spiritual Path)
- Nature: The inner journey beyond external practices
- Elements:
- Development of spiritual connection
- Refinement of character
- Deepening of intentions
- Practices:
- Regular remembrance (dhikr)
- Spiritual exercises
- Inner purification
3. Haqiqah (Ultimate Truth)
- Essence: Understanding deeper realities of existence
- Characteristics:
- Recognition of divine presence
- Insight into creation’s purpose
- Comprehension of spiritual truths
- Impact: Transforms understanding of life and worship
4. Ma’rifah (Divine Gnosis)
- Summit: The highest level of divine recognition
- Attributes:
- Intimate awareness of Allah
- Experiential knowledge
- Complete spiritual awakening
- Result: Deeper connection with Allah
