An Introduction to Irfan

Above we have already quoted the following sentence from the Nahj al-balaghah which is relevant here too:

 He has revived his intellect and slain his self, until his (bodily and spiritual) bulkiness shrunk and his coarseness turned into tenderness. Then an effulgence, like brilliant flash of lightning, shone into his heart and illuminated the path before him.... (Nahj al-balaghah, Khutab, No. 220, p. 337) 

The 'urafa' call these flashes lawa'ih, lawami' and tawali' depending upon their degree of intensity and length of duration. 

4 & 5. Qabd (Contraction) and Bast (Expansion): 

These two words are also amongst those to which the 'urafa' apply a special meaning, They refer to two contrasting spiritual states of the 'arif's soul; qabd (contraction) refers to a sense of desolation felt by it, while bast (expansion) is a state of expansion and joy. The 'urafa' have discussed these two states and their respective causes extensively. 

6 & 7. Jam (Gatheredness) and Farq (Separation): 

These two terms are much used by the 'urafa'. According to Qushayri: 'That which is on the part of the creature and acquired by the creature and worthy of the station of creaturehood is called farq; while that which is on the part of God- such as inspiration - is called jam'. He whom God makes halt at the station (maqam) of obedience and worship is at the station of farq; and he upon whom God reveals His favours is at the station of jam'. 

Hafiz says:

 Listen to me with the ear of awareness and for pleasure strive, 
For these words came at dawn from the caller unseen; 
Stop thinking of 'separation ' that you become 'gathered' 
For, as a rule, the angel enters as soon as the Devil leaves. 

8 & 9. Ghaybah (Absence) and Hudur (Presence):