"An Introduction to the Ḥadīth al-ḥaqīqa ("Tradition concerning Ultimate Reality") or Hadīth Kumayl and its Shaykhi, Babi and Baha'i Interpretations".

Abstract:

        The Ḥadīth al-ḥaqīqa ("Tradition concerning Ultimate Reality") or Hadīth Kumayl is the record of an alleged (Arabic) conversation between the first Shī`ī Imam, `Alī b. Abī Tālib (d.40/661) and his Shī`ī associate, the one-time governor of Hīt (Iraq, 130 miles from Baghdad), Kumayl ibn Ziyād ibn Nahīd ibn Haytham ibn Sa'd ibn Malik ibn al-Nakhā'ī. (d. c. 81 / 701) whose shine is located at wadī al-salām near Najaf (Iraq) (al-Mufīd, K. al-Irshād). It has to do with the nature and definition of of al-ḥaqīqa which is often (loosely) translated "Reality" or "Ultimate Reality". The hadīth al-ḥaqīqa is a well-known tradition much discussed and highly influential in Shī`ī Islamic philosophy and mysticism as well as many times registered in Babi-Baha'i scripture. It has been commented upon by the early Shaykhi leaders as well as many "gnostic" (irfani) or esoterically minded thinkers among them Ḥajji Mullā Ḥādī Sabziwārī (d. c.1295/ 1878). He had occasion to comment upon the Ḥadīth al-haqiqa in various of his works including the recently republished (new edition) of his `Commentary on the Most Beautiful Names of God'.

        The hadīth al-haqīqa has several times been (partially) translated into English, once by the Cambridge orientalist Edward G. Browne (d.1926) and again by the American Presbyterian missionary Dwight M Donaldson (d.1976) whose article has been published in the periodical Muslim World (add).

        In his commentary on the hadīth al-haqīqa the Bāb introduces it as follows: In commentary upon the `Tradition about Reality' (hadith al-ḥaqīqa) which has it that Kumayl ibn Ziyād al-Nakha`i was riding one day behind [imam] `Alī (upon Him be peace) on his she-camel (naqa). And Kumayl said `O my Master, what is al-ḥaqīqa ("Reality")?' [Imam] `Ali upon Him be peace replied, `What have you to do with Reality?' He [Kumayl] responded, `Am I not a custodian of thy secret (sahib al-sirrika)? He [`Ali] said, `Yes! but what merely sprinkles down upon thee overfloweth abundantly through me.' Subsequently `Alī gives several somewhat cryptic definitions of al-haqiaq (Reality). The final definition refers to the subh al-azal ("Morn of Eternity") and is the ultimate source of the title of Mirza Yaḥyā  (c. 1834-1912) (Per.) Subh-i Azal Among the imamological and other senses given the Hadith Kumayl by the Bāb is that it revolves around the high station of Imam `Ali, whose Logos-Self is represented as the creative genesis of Being and a divine effulgence which mediates divine realities in the world of creation. The Bab from very early in his mission cited and gave importance to the Hadīth Kumayl. He cited it in his early Risāla al-suluk ("Trestise on the Path") as he did later in his Sahifa bayn al-ḥaramayn (Epistle between the two shrines) and his (Persian) Dala'il-i sab`ih (Seven Proofs) where it is also given an interesting imamological exegesis. In this presentation an attempt will be made to sum up the Bab's interpretations of al-haqiqa (Ultimate Reality") in the light of their Shi'i-Shaykhi background. A few of Baha'-Allah's interpretations of passages in the Hadith al-ḥaqīqa will also be briefly summed up.