ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Elixir of Love The Elixir of Self-Building Love is the elixir of self-building and enrichment. Love of God Almighty cures all moral vileness entirely and presents all good attributes as a whole to the lover. The elixir of love makes the lover so enamored of the beloved that every other association with anything and anyone else except God is broken off.

In the Whispered Prayer of lovers, which is attributed to Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (a), we read: "الهي من ذا الذي ذاق حلاوة محبتك فرام منك بدلا ومن الذي الذي انس بقربك فابتغى عنك حولا" "My God, who can have tasted the sweetness of Thy love, then wanted another in place of thee?

Who can have become intimate with Thy nearness, then sought removal from thee?"[^1] 'Love is charming and when it is settled in the soul, It closes the door of heart to everything other than the beloved.' And in a hadith attributed to Imam al-Sadiq (a), we read: "حب الله إذا أضاء على سر عبد أخلاه عن كل شاغل، وكل ذكر سوى الله ظلمة، والمحب أخلص الناس سراُ لله تعالى، وأصدقهم قولاٌ، وأوفاهم عهداُ" "When the radiance of love of God shines on the heart of a devoted person, it delivers him from any other preoccupation; anything but remembrance of God is darkness.

The lover of God is the most sincere of God's servants, the most truthful in speech, and the most faithful to vows and commitments." In the first stage of detachment, the carnal soul (i. e., the soul that bids to evil) dies and the human rational life begins; and in its highest stage the eye of heart enlightens by the light of meeting with Allah and man attains the highest degree of monotheism, which is the status of ulu 'l 'ilm.

We read in Munajat-i Sha'baniyya: "الهي هب لي كمال الاننقطاع اليك وأنر أبصار قلوبنا بضياء نظرها اليك" "My lord!

Grace me with the highest stage of detachment (from all things) toward Yourself, and enlighten the eyes of our hearts with the light of its looking (directed toward) You."[^2] The Real Elixir An interesting account related by the Shaykh about love of God as an elixir as well as the real elixir is quoted as follows: "Once I was looking for the science of alchemy; I practiced self-discipline for a time until I reached a dead end and gained nothing.

Then, in a spiritual state I was graced with the verse, (من كان يريد العزة فلله العزة جميعا) (If any do seek for glory and power-to Allah belong all glory and power) (Fatir: 10). I said I wanted the science of alchemy.