The Relationship Between Legislation (Tashri’) and Creation (Takwin) from the Perspective of Mysticism (Irfan)

Service of Religion and Thought, Iran Book News Agency (IBNA); Volume eight of the book «Onvan Basri» by Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammmad Mohsen Hosseini Tehrani was published by Maktab-e Vahy Publications.

The eighth volume of the Onvan Basri series is dedicated to the explanation and interpretation of the phrase «و جملة اشتغاله فیما امره تعالی به و نهاه عنه» (and all his occupation in what God Almighty has commanded him to do and forbidden him from) from the Hadith of Onvan Basri, narrated from Imam Sadegh (AS). This part of the noble hadith indicates that all occupations and engagements of a servant must be limited to work that God has commanded or forbidden him from.

The central theme of the book is the precise explanation of the relationship between «Tashri’» (religious laws) and «Takwin» (the structure of creation), presented by Ayatollah Hosseini Tehrani in five sessions.

In these sessions, by posing the question “Why must man engage in divine commands?”, the author examines the discussion of religious duties and divine instructions from the perspective of Islam and the school of mysticism (Irfan), and emphasizes the necessity of correcting man’s perspective on performing divine duties. He also addresses the fundamental and important topic of “The effect of actions on the soul and the realm of human being,” explaining the issue of the relationship between human actions and the soul, its effect on the quality of spiritual journey (suluk), and the nature of this impact, presenting the path to reach the stage of soul perfection.

We read in a section of this book: “In the system of creation, there is a deep and close relationship between the actions we perform and their effects on our souls. This issue is a Takwini (creative/cosmic) issue; it is not a Tashri’i (legislative) issue, it is not a conventional issue; rather, it is a Takwini issue!”

For example, someone who drinks water is quenched; this is not a conventional issue; or someone who takes a specific medicine gets better from that illness; and this is also not conventional, but a Takwini issue. Therefore, these issues are called Takwini issues and the relationship between actions and the soul is inherently Takwini. And this effect of actions, imaginations, and thoughts on the soul is an issue that determines the basis of human movement in this world. That is, if someone wants to take a step in this world, they cannot free themselves from the restrictions of the actions they perform; this is not possible!

In reality, movement in this world with stillness and non-attachment to actions, deeds, and imaginations is combining opposites and impossible. So if a person falls short in their self-monitoring for one day, they will see its effect on that same day; either they will perceive it themselves; or this effect exists and others will see it. In any case, it is not possible for the matter to remain hidden…”

The eighth volume of the book «Onvan Basri,» part of the series «Sciences and Foundations of Islam and Shi’ism,» was published in a vaziri (ministerial) size and in 232 pages by Maktab-e Vahy Publications.

The topics of other volumes in this series published so far are: «Volume 1: Guardianship and Guidance», «Volume 2: The Reality of Dhikr», «Volume 3: The Reality of Knowledge», «Volume 4: Purification and Refinement», «Volume 5: The Reality of Servitude», «Volume 6: Management in Social and Governmental Affairs», and «Volume 7: Management in Individual and Family Affairs».