A Review of Irfān (mysticism) and Wilāyah (Divine guardianship) in the viewpoint of Allāme Tabātabā i

Following is a brief study with a mystical and spiritual tune about the topic of Wilāyah (Divine guardianship) in the viewpoint of Allāme Tabātabā’i by reference to Risālah al-Wilāyah, one his precious works. According to Allāme, Wilāyah is cognitively based on the essence of Hanif School of faith and it has got Divine flavor. It is eternal and everlasting and has consistency and immortality. In other words, the outward of faith has got Sharia (sacred law) and its inward has got Tariqa (sacred order). Also, there are mysteries and facts in the rightful manifest of Wilāyah for which it is called the inner of prophethood and faith. It means that the phase of legislative prophethood which is the outer side of faith is terminable and its era was restricted to the time of Khātam ul-anbiyā’ (the last prophet). But the phase of rightful inner side of faith that is Wilāyah is incessant and continues to the time of Khātam ul-usiyā’, Imam Mahdi (pbuh) and undoubtedly, Nabi (the holy prophet) himself has got the highest level of it. More importantly, being intuitively related to Wilāyah is only possible via being related to ālam al-ghayb (the unseen world) and its secret and also via intuitive cognition (that is monotheism). This is not merely specific to the prophets. In other words, it is sincere and amorous mystical conduction that leads the wayfarer to the perception of sacred ʻItra (beholders of Wilāyah) and impartsthe Divine light of beauty and glory to him as his nature is involved with the light of Wilāyah. The trusteeship of man being referred to in the Quranic verse: “Innā aradhna al-amānah …” (al-Ahzāb/72) is that absolute Divine Wilāyah which is embedded in legislative and genesis system of faith.