Connective existence

Do true connections exist in the material or immaterial world? In other words, is attachment between quiddities called connection or does true connection happen when a person connects with the objective world of Almighty God?

O reader! In this article we want to talk about Wujud-e Rabeti (the connective existence) for you, a subject you may have read less in other writings. One of the important subjects of the universe is Wujud-e Rabeti which if a person is able to understand, he can also perceive the owner of existence. It is a fact that all the scholars of the world are astonished about it, because if a person is not worthy for the path of perfection and science, he cannot move away the curtain from the world of connections and look behind it.

 However, regarding the response to the question we stated at first, it should be said that scholars believe that most connections relating to sense exist in the material world but from the aspect of originality they are in the immaterial world. This has been explained in Volume 1 of Mulla Sadra’s book, Asfar, page 330 under the topic of “Connective Existence” as follows: A robe is given face from cotton. The outward translation says if cotton did not exist, a robe would not be. These are interconnected. Therefore, if we want to understand the meaning of Connective Existence it is like that of robe and cotton.

For definition of Connective Existence, it is said, “Something which creates something else.” The first is called “creature” and the second is called "creation". So, Connective Existence is an existence that is not independent itself and it is created through desire.

Now, for a better understanding of the connective existence we can point out to the existence of the human body, which contains all of our states and acts, such as speaking, face color, limb, walking, sleeping, eating, etc. that are part of the connective existence which appears from our essence. Another example; if there is no writer of a book, the book will not be created. So, at first the author must exist, then the book can be created from him.

 In another aspect, Ostad Mousavi after expressing these examples for understanding the connective existence says: 

 In reality, we should not believe in connections in regard to the example of robe and cotton. On the contrary, we should believe in revolution, meaning that cotton is transformed into string and the latter into robe. This occurs in the material world (static to dynamic).

However, the entire world should be aware that true connections are formed in breaking away from pride, arrogance, ego and other negative characteristics and surrendering and connecting to the True Source of Bounty and Light.

In fact, the relation between our wojud (existence) with that of the Existence of God is one of connective existence Without any comparison, the existence of Almighty God is like an endless sea and other wojuds such as mountains, plants, animals and humans are like the foam and wave of the sea which emerge from Him and they are called connective existence.

There is a phrase which means if aloeswood that has a pleasant fragrance is not burnt, its fragrance will not be spread and felt. Verily, always treasures are buried under ruins, the pure under the impure, principles are buried under the unworthy and jewels under straw. He who has to shake the world with yells of delight and waken the ignorant and create real relationship between souls and hearts is one principle.       

   O you the reader! Remain steadfast in the path of God; do not stay with your body. Be a connective resident since connections have to return to principalities. O traveler of the path of God! The secret of this mystery is a drop of water from the unending sea of love.

Indeed, we can say: When a person becomes a true lover which means a person who tastes the love of Almighty God, and drowns in the endless sea of His love, he can be ingrained with a true and spiritual connection with Him. It is impossible to expect a person who is drowned in the body and material to have a true connection with God.

Thus, humans should be true residents in the path of God to reach the original and essential treasure of connection with God and make use of His true illumination.

We should know that he who reaches this stage says: I am of God and God is with me and in gratitude for that, every moment of this person’s life becomes God-like because of thanking God for all of His blessings, each bone of his body, blinking of his eyes, flowing of blood in his body, breathing, etc., such as the love of Imam Husayn (AS) to God which is visible in the supplication of 'Arafa by Imam al-Husayn (AS). Such a person who reaches the stage and connective existence with God can even have true and real connection with the infallible Imams, especially Imam al-Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) and says: My Maula! The moment when you overfilled my heart with your love and inflamed it, is the best moment of my life until I see you and you end this expectation, because you are the principal of originalities, O Imam al-Mahdi! Come to my assistance.

Therefore, true connection happens when humans connect with the objective world of Almighty God. (Derived from research- based subjects of divine philosopher, Ostad Seyyed Ali Mousavi under teaching vol.1 of Mulla Sadra’s book, Asfar.)