The Bowl of Saki Commentary

The knowledge of God precedes illumination of mind and causes it. It is not strictly speaking acquired by any accumulative method. In this sense, there is no evolution. Yet there is evolution in the sense that as the heart awakens the mind does grow. Illumination of mind is the result of knowledge of God, not the cause of it. Therefore both mystics and scholars have practiced meditation.

To the mystic, meditation means the centering of all the consciousness on Supreme Deity, the nature or characteristic of which is definite. That is to say, God is love, mercy, and all the attributes, and while knowledge of the attributes is not knowledge of God, attainment of the Supreme includes such knowledge. That is to say, Ilm or supreme knowledge includes Hakma or universal science.

Now scholars, while they do not always recognize heart as the center of the intuitive faculty, often find it advantageous to clear their mind of all concepts-not only of false concepts but of all concepts—to facilitate the mind's operation. Therefore scholars can often be raised to a higher degree through their own processes. This is the way of Jnana Yoga, or union with God through knowledge.

Sufis include all systems in their sciences and regard the Divine Knowledge not as the only valuable knowledge but as the only knowledge. In other words, all knowledge is knowledge of God, but many people do not know it.