Báb’s Commentary on the Hadith al-Haqíqa (The Hadith about the Ultimate Reality): or the Tradition of Kumayl ibn Ziyad, al-Nakha’i

Abstract

The Hadíth al-Haqíqa ("Tradition concerning Ultimate Reality") or Hadíth Kumayl is the record of an alleged (Arabic) conversation between the first Shí'í Imám, `Alí b. Abí Tálib (d.40/661) and his Shí`í associate, the one-time governor of Hít (Iraq), Kumayl ibn Ziyád ibn Nahíd ibn Haytham ibn Sa'd ibn Malik ibn al-Nakha'í. (d. c.81 / 701) whose shrine is located at wadí al-salám near Najaf (Iraq) (al-Mufíd, K. al-Irshád). It has to do with the nature and definition of of al-haqíqa which is often (loosely) translated as "Reality" or "Ultimate Reality". The hadíth al-haqíqa is a well-known tradition much discussed and highly influential in Shí'í Islamic philosophy and mysticism as well as many times registered in Bábí-Bahá'í scripture. It has been commented upon by the early Shaykhí leaders as well as many gnostic (irfani) or esoterically minded thinkers among them Hájí Mullá Hádí Sabziwárí (d. c.1295/ 1878). He had occasion to comment upon the Hadíth al-haqíqa in various of his works including the recently republished (new edition) of his 'Commentary on the Most Beautiful Names of God'. The hadíth al-haqíqa 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. In his commentary on the hadíth al-haqíqa the Báb introduces it as follows: In commentary upon the 'Tradition about Reality' (hadíth al-haqíqa) which has it that Kumayl ibn Zíyyád al-Nakha'í was riding one day behind {imam]'Alí (upon Him be peace) on his she-camel (náqa). And Kumayl said 'O my Master, what is al-haqíqa ("Reality")?' [Imám] 'Alí upon Him be peace replied, 'What have you to do with Reality?' He [Kumayl] responded,'Am I not a custodian of thy secret (sáhib al-sirrika)? He ['Ali] said,'Yes! but what merely sprinkles down upon thee overfloweth abundantly through me.' Subsequently 'Ali gives several somewhat cryptic definitions of al-haqíqa (Reality). The final definition refers to the subh al-azal ("Morn of Eternity") and is the ultimate source of the title of Mirza Yahya (c. 1834-1912) (Per.) Subh-i Azalpeace) on his she-camel (náqa). And Kumayl said 'O my Master, what is al-haqíqa ("Reality")?' [Imám] 'Alí upon Him be peace replied, 'What have you to do with Reality?' He [Kumayl] responded,'Am I not a custodian of thy secret (sáhib al-sirrika)? He ['Ali] said,'Yes! but what merely sprinkles down upon thee overfloweth abundantly through me.' Subsequently 'Ali gives several somewhat cryptic definitions of al-haqíqa (Reality). The final definition refers to the subh al-azal ("Morn of Eternity") and is the ultimate source of the title of Mirza Yahya (c. 1834-1912) (Per.) Subh-i Azal