The Sufi Science of Self-Realization: A Guide to the Seventeen Ruinous Traits, the Ten Steps to Discipleship and the Six Realities of the Heart

by Muhammad Hisham Kabbani, Muhammad Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani (Foreword)

The Sufi master Abu 'l-Hasan al-Kharqani asserted that the human state contains seventeen chief ruinous traits, each of which resembles a great tree, with main branches, smaller branches, twigs and leaves, all laden with various kinds of negativity. At the same time, human beings were granted six tremendous powers from the Divine: the power of attraction; the power of manifesting God's blessings; the power of intercession for those who oppress themselves; the power of directing the heart of seekers; the power of guidance; and the power to move in time and space. The path from submersion in the negative traits to the unveiling of these six powers is known as the Migration to Perfected Character. Consisting of ten steps, it leads one from the ruinous aspects of the arrogant self, to achieve the state of satisfaction with the Divine decree and to achieve gnostic knowledge on the way to complete realization. Through a ten step program Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, a master of the Naqshbandi Sufi Path, describes the science of eliminating the seventeen ruinous characteristics of the tyrannical ego, to achieve purification of the soul. The sincere seeker who follows these steps, with devotion and discipline, will acheive an unveiling of the six powers which lie dormant within every human heart.

Genres: Spirituality, Islam

252 pages, ebook

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Muhammad Hisham Kabbani was a Lebanese-American Sunni Sufi Muslim scholar belonging to the Naqshbandi Sufi Order. Kabbani has counseled and advised Muslim leaders to build community resilience against violent extremism. In 2012, the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre named him on The 500 Most Influential Muslims. His notable students include the world-famous boxer Muhammad Ali and former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Reviews

[Wayfarer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book indicates the oral tradition which has lasted for centuries and continues to our day - the tradition where the Master skillfully cultivates and works to open the heart and mind of the disciple to Higher Realities. In this book, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani outlines and explains the Sufi path based on the ways of the Naqshabandi spiritual order - beginning by explaining the levels of follower-ship. Firstly, those on the outside - the lovers (most people never move beyond this point) then comes the initiates (those who have resolved to do something) and then those who are primed for discipleship - the prepared; who have traversed the ten stages but as of yet are not disciples. Thereafter being accepted into discipleship - the unlocking/unleashing of the six powers of the heart (most interesting segment of the book) through the mediation of the perfected spiritual guide. The Shaykh has clearly, in a clear and simple fashion, discoursed on the realities and requirements of each level and stage of development without labouring the details; analogy has been employed continually to facilitate understanding. The book is divided into the following parts: FORWARD; INTRODUCTION; THE SEVENTEEN RUINOUS TRAITS; THE TEN STEPS TO DISCIPLESHIP; THE SIX POWERS OF THE HEART. Having the read the book, one is left with the desire to discover more - a superb read. Note: The astute reader may notice the use of some weak or even fabricated narrations - only a foolish person would allow such things to distract him/her from the overall message and import of the book - seek what benefits you and don't be overly hung-up on the details.