BASIRA AND FIRASA (INSIGHT AND DISCERNMENT) Literally meaning perception, intelligence, discretion, evidence, and witness, insight

(basira) is defined as having an eye of the heart open, deep perception, an ability to see consequences just at the beginning of an act, or foresight. Insight acquires a different, deeper dimension among Sufis. It is considered the sole source of spiritual nowledge obtained through reflective thought and inspiration, the first degree in the spirit!s perception of the reality of things" and a power of conscience that discerns and establishes values originating in the spirit, whereas reason becomes entangled in colors, forms, and qualities. It is also a power of perception so sharpened by the light of nearness to the #ivine $eing that, when other powers of perception become e%hausted by imaginings, it acquires great familiarity with mysteries lying behind things and, without any guide or evidence, reaches the &ruth of the &ruths, where reason is bewildered. Seeing is one of the luminous 'ttributes of (od 'lmighty, and one!s insight, as declared in) We have shared among them (*+)+,), is proportionate to one!s ability to receive the manifestations of this 'ttribute. &he greatest portion belongs to the one who, having benefited from that #ivine Source to the fullest, poured his inspirations into the hearts of his followers, namely the -rophet .uhammad, upon him be peace and blessings. /e is the most polished mirror of the &ruth!s manifestations, and is unequaled in receiving them. &he #ivine declaration) Say: This is my path. I call to God on clear evidence and by insight, I and whoever follows me (0,)012) points to the greatness of the share of that #ivine gift belonging to the prince of the -rophets and his followers. &his matchless perceptiveness allowed that holy traveler on the path of 'scension to reach in one breath the realms beyond corporeal e%istence, which those devoid of even the least perception regard as dar or un nown or categorically deny. /e studied those realms li e a boo , and traveled on the 3slopes4 of the 5nseen where the archetypal tablets are e%hibited and the melodies of the pens of #estiny, which ma e one!s heart jump, thrilled him. /e visited -aradise accompanied by heavenly male and female servants, and received a #ivine welcome with the breaths of two bows! length, or even nearer (6+)7), at a point where space and location are undefined or undifferentiated. &he pleasure of observance given by insight sometimes acquires a new, deeper dimension when the believer begins to discern and discover the spiritual dimension and meanings of things and events. /is or her spirit e%periences other dimensions in this three8dimensional realm, and his or her conscience becomes the eye of e%istence with which it sees, as well as its pulse and intellect. In addition to perception and understanding, discernment (firasa) denotes the deepening of insight when perception becomes a source of certain nowledge. &hose who discern the manifestations of the light of (od, the &ruth, own such a radiance that they see everything, every issue, in its full clarity. &hey are never confused, even when encountering the most intricate, similar elements, and are not lost in particularities. Seeing at the same time, for e%ample, sugar with the sugar cane and hydrogen and o%ygen with water, they refrain from all deviation (e.g., pantheism and monism) and recogni9e the :reator however /e is, and the created however it is. ;rom the face of each individual believer to the face of the universe, every point, word, and line in e%istence is a meaningful message, even a boo , for those to whom the verse) Surely in this are signs for those having insight and discernment (06)<6) refers. &hose who can loo at e%istence from a point stated in the -rophetic &radition of) ;ear the discernment of a believer, for he sees with the light of (od, ma e contact with reality, become familiar with the invisible side of e%istence, and, revealing the real face of everything, shed light on events. =hile some spend their lives in 3blac holes,4 they are enraptured with increasing pleasures on -aradise8 li e 3slopes.4 ;or one endowed with such discernment, e%istence is a boo of countless pages, with each animate or inanimate part of creation being a word shining with thousands of meanings, and the face of e%istence and each person e%pressing many hidden realities. &hose of true spirituality see such things in the 3verses4 of that boo and in the luminous 3phrases4 of those verses, and receive from them messages that even the greatest minds among the non8 believers are unable to discern. &he unimaginable surprises awaiting believers in the other

world are according to the ran of each, and are revealed to them together with all the spiritual pleasure that they give.