Cemalnur Sargut

Prophet Mohammed has said: ‘“Seriat” is my promise, “tarikat” is my behavior, “hakikat” is my destination. That is I live in accordance with “seriat” but the state I am in at this moment shows my stability on the way to Allah. My ultimate goal, destination is “hakikat”, which has been meant for me in past eternity.

In “seriat” there is retaliation (it can be explained as an eye for an eye). “Tarikat” knows that Allah is the will behind every happening but it also focuses on the means. “Hakikat” does not focus on the means but only Allah. “Mağrifet” is reaching a level where Allah is clearly viewed in people. “Tarikat” requires silence. How can one utter a word knowing the real source of the action is Allah?

What is “helal” (allowed by Allah) in “seriat” is “haram” (forbidden by Allah) in “tarikat”. What is “helal” in “tarikat” is “haram” in “hakikat”. For instance, retaliation is “helal” in “seriat” but “haram” in “tarikat”.  Hz. Ali says, ‘You ordered me to stay away from “haram” but I also avoided what is “helal” ’. 

The first step of “tarikat” is “seriat”. It means law explaining the divine commandments. “Hakikat” is the upper level of “tarikat”, which is a way that extends from “seriat” to “hakikat”. “Seriat”, which has not been strengthened by “hakikat”, and “hakikat”, which is not based on “seriat” are not valuable. “Tarikat” is the fruit of “seriat” and the tree of “hakikat”.

When the religious  leader who is at the level of “kutup” (pole) passes the “seriat” , “tarikat”, “hakikat” and “mağrifet” levels and becomes selected, appreciated and purified then he becomes the master of the era. (The seven (4+3) levels signify the seven verses in the surah of Fatiha. They also signify the seven signs on the human face representing fire, air, water, soil, intellect, spirit and “nafs”.) This is why our Prophet had said, ‘The one who sees me sees Allah and whoever betrays Allah’s "veli" (those close to Allah) betrays Allah. Not only men but other beings on earth pass through these levels of “seriat”, “tarikat”, “hakikat” and “mağrifet”.

“Seriat” is the skin, “tarikat” the flesh, “hakikat” the bone and “mağrifet” the marrow.

“Serait” is the medicine. To take that medicine is “tarikat” and the remedy to the ailment is “hakikat”.

“Seriat” is the torch, “tarikat” the road, and “hakikat” the destination.

“Seriat” is the knowledge, “tarikat” the action, “hakikat” is the outcome of that act.

“Seriat” is the ship, “tarikat” the sea, and “hakikat” pearls in that sea.