by D. N. Carter
“Why,” Tenno said and looked at Theodoric hard before looking back at Attar, “I just find so much about both of your religions that contradicts itself and confuses. Tell me, why if this Jesus was indeed married and had children…why does this fact upset so many Christians? For so many dismiss it because there is apparently no obvious ‘evidence’. The irony there is self evident, no?” Tenno asked.
Theodoric sat back in his chair and roared with laughter. Tenno frowned at him and raised a single eyebrow, which made Theodoric laugh even more. Paul chuckled seeing him laugh so much. Attar smiled and tried to remain composed but even he was impressed with the irony of Tenno’s statement. Ishmael forced a smile not quite sure why Theodoric was laughing so much.
“Oh my Lord…I know people who would claim you were a devil worshipping demon in disguise,” Theodoric laughed, holding his stomach.
“Devil…,” Tenno said and looked harder at Theodoric. “So far on my travels in Christian lands I have as yet to be insulted by any so called devil worshippers…for not believing in their Devil…but I have been insulted more than once by Christians for questioning their God!”
Theodoric laughed even more at Tenno’s comments. Paul laughed but stopped when Tenno looked at him puzzled. Alisha looked around the doorway of the dining hall holding some silk strips in her hand. Paul raised his hand all was okay as Theodoric continued to laugh. She smiled then disappeared from view again as Paul struggled not to laugh at Theodoric’s comments. It was good to see him laugh so heartily he thought. He was always good company.
“Let me explain then that if we look closely at the life of Isa…your Jesus, in the New Testament and the so called apocryphal Gospels, where it is easy to read that he himself made a clear distinction between the inner, hidden or esoteric teachings and outer, external or exoteric ones. Jesus publicly gave exoteric teachings to the masses, while privately instructing his trusted disciples in the inner, esoteric meanings. After the manner of the apostles, the early Christians preached openly to the public the Gospel message, while preserving the esoteric doctrines for those who became initiated disciples. The distinction between outer doctrines and their higher inner meaning was also known to Moses, whom you know was an initiate of Egyptian wisdom, and the Israelite prophets. The exoteric form of the Mosaic revelation contained laws and commandments purely suited to the people and conditions of that period, Taurus no less as it traversed into Aries, the Ram, whilst the esoteric doctrines, explaining the meanings behind the external forms and rituals, were preserved by the real priests and prophets. By the time of Jesus, the esoteric spiritual side of the Hebrew religion had been corrupted and almost lost. People were enslaved to the ‘letter of the law’ and consequently kept in the bondage of ignorance by false teachers, not realising that ‘the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life’. Thus the Essenes, being the true Israelite priests and the mystic precursors of the early Christians, concerned themselves with rediscovering the inner meaning of the Mosaic Law. That is why within the first four centuries after Christ, his teachings underwent the same corruption and loss as those proclaimed by Moses. Christianity emerged as a powerful institution dominated by a clerical hierarchy largely ignorant of the original esoteric truths. The Gospels, like the books of the Old Testament, underwent editing and revision to comply with the exoteric Christian creed. The many Christian Gnostic texts, which spoke of esoteric doctrines, were denounced and confined to the flames,” Attar explained as Theodoric composed himself.
“Yes…yes I agree absolutely with you, Attar…,” he said and sat himself up properly and wiped his eyes, Tenno still looking at him, frowning deeply.
“At that time in the West the Church of Rome emerged triumphant, whilst in the East arose a new prophet and Messenger of God. In the ancient land of Arabia, in fulfilment of age old prophecies, Muhammad himself began to proclaim complete surrender to the One God of all mankind. His message became known as Islam, the last of the great revealed religions. And after the manner of Moses and Jesus, the prophet Muhammad distinguished between the exoteric and esoteric dimensions of religion too. Being the last of all the celestial faiths, Islam contained the essential divine truths of all the earlier revelations. This is something, Paul, your father understood as Theodoric I am sure will also confirm,” Attar said and looked at Theodoric to confirm.
“Aye, that he does know and understands,” Theodoric replied, having stopped laughing now but still smiling broadly.
“That explains his extensive collection of Islamic books and manuscripts,” Paul remarked.
“I am not sure how much you know or understand about Islam but I can tell you that as a youth, Muhammad spent time in the desert conducting caravans from Mecca to Syria. Here, according to some, he first encountered seekers looking for the ‘original religion of Abraham’. He would later travel each year to Mount Hira near Mecca to meditate and pray. It was during one of these visits that he entered a level of higher consciousness when the Archangel Gabriel revealed to him the first chapter of the Holy Qur’an, the sacred book of Islam and the direct Word of Allah. Muhammad confided his experience only to a small group of close associates but soon, an inner circle or secret school of disciples began to form around him, and in time they publicly proclaimed the exoteric message of surrender to Allah. But understand that Muhammad, just like Isa…Jesus…never claimed or intended to found a new religion. In fact, he always said he was just continuing the primordial tradition that was working long before him. Like Moses and Jesus, Muhammad came in a long line of prophets who from time to time delivered to their people, under divine inspiration, the same revelation of God’s nature and of man’s relationship to Him, as had been given to Adam. Muhammad came to reinstate this eternal pristine message that had been obscured by ignorance, idolatry, and used to enslave rather than liberate humanity. From this perspective the Holy Qur’an teaches the primordial unity of all religions and the common origin of each. If you remember nothing else of this meeting, please remember that fact alone for it affirms that there is not a nation or people to whom a prophet has not been sent. The central message of Islam is the declaration of faith, shahada, as in ‘There is no god but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God’. From the esoteric perspective this is also understood as ‘there is no reality except Reality’. The exoteric practice is summed up in the ‘Five Pillars of Islam’. These are Faith, Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving and Pilgrimage.”
“It sounds like you are trying to convert us to Islam,” Tenno stated bluntly in his usual manner.
“No, that I cannot do…but would it be so bad if I was?” Attar replied and smiled.
“It makes no difference to me,” Tenno answered.
“I shall continue then…The Holy Qur’an has both an exoteric, as in the zahir, the outer or apparent meaning and an esoteric, as in batin, the inner or secret meaning. Within Islamic esotericism, as in the original Mosaic and Christian revelations, knowledge is made accessible depending on the integrity and ability of its recipients, with the consequence of requiring the withholding of information from the uninitiated. This is why there has always been a gradual unveiling or communication of spiritual truths to mankind. What Muslim esotericists call the ‘wisdom of gradualness’ of ‘hikmat at-tadrij’. For spiritual knowledge, states a highly regarded Islamic esoteric text, is like food and light.”
“How do you mean?” Ishmael asked.
“Just as a small child needs to be fed gradually, stage by stage, until it reaches adolescence, so that it may not eat something harmful to its constitution, and just as light is appropriate only to persons with open, healthy and strong eyes, so that a person whose eyes have been shut, or had just emerged from darkness, will be severely dazzled by daylight, in the same way, those who get hold of this higher esoteric knowledge should communicate it only to those who are in need of it and can accept and understand it. Now know that many Christian mystics have travelled to Arabia seeking a genuine spiritual Master Teacher. In fact, many mystics surrou
nded Muhammad during his life. These Companions, as they are known, he privately instructed in the doctrines of Islamic esotericism. Two of these Companions, the Prophet Muhammad’s close friend Abu Bakr and his son-in-law Ali, later inspired their own Orders. Although Muhammad, as the last of the prophets, was the repository of a complete treasure of precepts, Muslim tradition asserts he publicly declared only some of them, leaving the rest undeclared. This was due to their inapplicability at the time, but also because of the expediency of disseminating them in that particular period of our history. It is said even Prophet Muhammad himself mentioned certain secret moments of revelation, saying, ‘If the Muslims knew of them, they would stone me.’ He therefore entrusted the undeclared precepts to the Companions and through them to the worthy of succeeding generations so that they would progressively reveal them at appropriate junctures according to their wisdom, whether by inferring the particular from the absolute, or the concrete from the abstract,” Attar explained.
Ishmael nodded he understood but he was still not sure of Attar’s explanation. “Who knows…perhaps there will come a day when we all do join as
one faith…though I prefer to say join as one understanding of the truth,” Theodoric remarked.
“Not in our lifetimes,” Attar commented before continuing. “After the death of the Prophet Muhammad in AD 632, the Companions, particularly Abu Bakr, Ali and Salman al-Farisi, continued to preserve the esoteric tradition within the exoteric faith of Islam. Abu Bakr became the first Caliph, leader of the Muslim community. However, in time, just as Muhammad had warned before his death, the thirst for power and political intrigue soon caused strife and division among Muslims. The mighty Islamic empire became divided as positions of authority were usurped by individuals bereft of spiritual understanding. Those who seized power and wealth did so in the name of the prophet and the exoteric creed of Islam. The outer creed represented by the law, which is Sharia, the accumulated customs of the Prophet, which is the hadith, and a literal reading of the Qur’an, emerged as ‘orthodox’ Islam. Again, exotericism appeared to vanquish esotericism. Many Muslim initiates, custodians of esoteric wisdom, went into hiding or exile. Yet a number of Muslim spiritual teachers, considered by the people to be saints, did not conceal the fact they had been initiated by members of a school or brotherhood, the tariqah founded by one of the Companions.”
“I think I am beginning to understand what both my father and Firgany were trying to explain and inform me all about now,” Paul mused as he looked down in thought.
“Men ahead of their time,” Theodoric said quietly.
“That they were…,” Attar remarked.
“But now you…you are an initiate, yes…a Sufi?” Paul asked as he looked up at Attar.
“That you could also say is true. But my cause…our cause is the truth of truth. It is the exoteric, the esoteric of the exoteric and the exoteric of the esoteric. It is the secret of the secret; it is the secret of that which remains wrapped in secret,” Attar remarked and winked.
“Well that will certainly only serve to confuse,” Theodoric remarked and grinned as Tenno and Ishmael both looked puzzled before Attar continued.
“At the end of the eighth century and the beginning of the ninth century, many Muslims who followed the spiritual path openly declared their connection with Islamic esotericism. They divulged truths based on spiritual experience that, because of their outward appearance, brought on them the condemnation of orthodox Islamic jurists and theologians.”
“Nothing new there then and is the same as Christians, yes?” Tenno commented.
Attar nodded his head yes then continued again.
“Some were imprisoned, flogged, and even killed. Historically, the practitioners of esotericism were associated with the descendants of the family of Prophet Muhammad himself. Ali, who was Muhammad’s son-in-law, was universally regarded as the fountainhead of esoteric knowledge. The relationship between the Prophet Muhammad and Ali was symbolic of the exoteric form and the esoteric core of divine religion. This is similar to the Christian Gnostic idea of the relationship between Jesus, representing the exoteric, and the beloved disciple John to whom the esoteric doctrine was divulged.”
“You know of the John connection?” Paul asked, surprised.
“Of course. I would not be a very good Sufi if I did not know now would I?” Attar replied smiling. “Sadly, just like Christianity, from Islamic esoteric tradition emerged distinct Muslim groups such as the Fatimids, Ismailis and the Nusairi, the Alawis. Certain mystical brotherhoods and Orders formed within Muslim communities and became known as Sufis, the mystics or esotericists. It is commonly thought the word Sufi comes from the Arabic word suf, meaning ‘wool’ from the rough woollen clothing worn by early ascetics to demonstrate their detachment from the world,” he explained and pulled out his own green woollen top slightly. “All Sufi, like all genuine mystics, aim for a glimpse of the eternal whilst trapped by this physical world. To that end, the Sufis have laid out the ‘path’, the ‘tariqah’, that will lead to gnosis, marifah or mystic knowledge of the Lord. The ‘path’ of ascension to divine union with God passes through stages known commonly as ‘stations’ or ‘states’…the last stage being that of fana, or passing away in God, which is the ultimate desire of a successful mystic. The Sufi at this point ceases to be aware of his physical identity even though he continues to exist as an individual. But I caution all who would follow this path that although the majority of Sufi Orders meticulously observe the Islamic law, Sharia, they believe it to be only the outer clothing or external shell protecting the core, the esoteric truth. The Holy Qur’an calls those who know the essence of things ‘the possessors of the kernels’. The Sufis liken esoteric wisdom to a ‘kernel’ hidden within a shell. Exoteric Islam, experienced as a traditional way of life, creates the environment, the culture, the community, and necessary psychological orientation, from which certain individuals are called to initiation into esotericism. The authentic Gnostic and mystic is always a minority when compared with the great mass of humanity who are fully satisfied with exoteric religion.”
“Paul, in case you think Attar is indeed trying to convert you, let me tell you that the Sufi schools and brotherhoods are renowned for propagating Islam throughout the world. Their piety, deep spirituality and tolerance enabled Sufis to attract a large following. The brotherhoods have rendered an incalculable, monumental service to Islam in three different ways. They have prevented Islam from becoming a cold and formal doctrine by keeping it alive as an intimate, compassionate faith…they were mainly responsible for spreading the faith in east Asia and sub-Saharan Africa and they were among the foremost leaders in Islam’s military and political battles against the encroaching power of the Christian West. By the tenth century, descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah, and her husband Ali, established the Fatimid Empire over a large part of North Africa. Many Muslims see this as a fulfilment of a prediction attributed to the Prophet that a time would come in which ‘the Sun, of Islam, would rise in the West’. Prior to accepting Islam, North Africa had been home to a number of Gnostic communities. Some have claimed that the Fatimids are the philosophical descendants of Bardesane, the renowned Gnostic Christian Master Teacher. This fact has not escaped Saladin himself has it, Attar?” Theodoric asked.
“Not much escapes Saladin, my friend,” Attar replied as Tenno sat up intrigued.
“Please, tell us more,” Tenno asked.
“If you wish,” Attar replied. “The Fatimids are responsible for ushering in a new ‘golden age’ for Islam. They have established this city of Cairo calling it ‘The Victorious City of the Exalter of the Divine Religion’ as the new capital of a new and growing empire. Public devotions of the Fatimids differ very little from orthodox Muslims’, but the esoteric teachings are restricted to those of the community best able to receive them. A proper understanding of their books requires a special education and years of training. Here in Cairo the Fatimids have now establ
ished the Grand House of Wisdom, the Darul Hikmet, for the training of missionaries, dais, skilled in the propagation of Islamic esoteric philosophy. Students come from all over the Orient to the House of Wisdom for instruction and initiation. Twice a week, every Monday and Wednesday, the Grand Prior convenes meetings, which are frequented by adepts dressed in white. These gatherings are named ‘philosophical conferences’ or Majalis-al-Hikmet. The Fatimid Caliph is also the Grand Master of the House of Wisdom. One of the earlier students who attended was Hasan Sabbah who upon his return to his native Persia, formed the so called Ashashin, with his headquarters at the mountain monastery-fortress of Alamut.”
“So Taqi is indeed embraced within a great order,” Paul said to himself but clearly heard by all in the room. “Sorry, I did not mean to interrupt… please continue.”
“From here, Fatimid rulers despatch missionaries, dais, throughout the known world. Under cover they have even infiltrated Christian Europe. Accomplished in the esoteric doctrine, the dais can use any outer form, be it artistic, scientific, religious or secular, to impart universal and perennial truths. Even poetry, for which we Sufis are renowned, can be used to transfer spiritual insights from one culture or religion to another. Our use of allegory and ciphers amounts to a secret language, the universal language of initiates…and mainly based upon mathematics,” Attar smiled as he explained. “It is accepted that Sufis have even dealt with some of the greatest Celts. That is why there is a well known ninth century Celtic cross bearing the Islamic Arabic inscription ‘Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim’ meaning ‘In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful’ as Theodoric I am sure will confirm.”
“Aye that I can as I have stood beside it myself,” Theodoric replied.
“I would love to visit this House of Wisdom,” Paul said as he looked up, hearing Alisha and Sister Lucy laugh out loud in the dining room.