THE SPIRITUAL PLACES ON THE HUMAN BODY

THE SPIRITUAL PLACES ON THE HUMAN BODY
ACCORDING TO NAQSHBANDIYYA ORDER
[LATAAIF]


Like the vital organs of the physical body, the human spirit also possesses the equivalent of vital organs, called lataaif (sing: lattefa, or subtlety). The research scholars of various Sufi orders have associated them with specific areas of the human body. The Naqshbandiah Owaisiah Order identifies these la-teaif in ascending order of power, as follows.
First – Qalb: This spiritual faculty is associated with the physical heart. To strengthen it is to increase ones general or basic capability for contemplation or zikr.
Second – Ruh: The site of the Ruh, which is a distinct facility of the human Ruh or spirit, is on the right hand side of the chest at the level of the heart. its primary function is total concentration on Allah.
Third – Sirri: This is above the Qalb and functions to make possible kashf or physical visions associated with spiritual insights.
Forth – Khafi: This located above the Ruh, and functions to perceive the presence of Allah wherever one is.
Fifth – Akhfa: This is located at the centre of the first four lataaif and makes it possible for the human spirit to perceive the closeness of Allah’s presence, which the Quran informs us is closer than faculties of both body and sprit.
Sixth – Nafs al Natiqa: This is located at the forehead and functions to influence the human soul, towards higher states leading to perfection.
Seventh – Sultan-al-Azkar: This serves to absorb the Baraka of Allah into the entire body to that one’s zikr of Allah will emanate from every cell in a single and continual act of worship.
There are five Exalted Messengers among the many known and unknown Messengers of Allah. These are Hadhart Muhammad, Hadhrat Ibrahim, Hadhrat Musa (Moses), Hadhrat Nuh (Noah), and Hadhrat Esa (Jesus), peace be upon them all, A sixth, Hadhrat Adam, is the first Prophet of ALLAH and the father of mankind. Each is associated with a particular lateefa. Thus the Baraka and lights from Hadhrat Adam, peace be upon him, descend on lateefa known as Qalb. Observed through kashf, its lights are yellowish, reflected from the first heaven. Those with kashf observe Prophet Adam, peace be upon him, during the decent of this Baraka from Allah. The second lateefa is connected with Hadhrat Nuh and Hadhrat Ibrahim, peace be upon them. Its lights descend from the second heaven and appear to be golden red. The lights descending upon the third lateefa are from Hadhrat Musa, peace be upon him, and are white. One the fourth lateefa the lights of Hadhrat Esa, peace be upon him, descend from the fourth heaven and are deep blue, the fifth lateefa receives its baraka directly from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The lights associated with this special Baraka are green, descend from the fifth heaven, and overwhelm all the first whose color and states cannot be determined. It is like a flash of light that defies comprehension. If ALLAH blesses one with intrinsic vision or observation, (kashf) all of this can be seen. In the beginning it is slightly diffused, but as the vision develops its clarity increases