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tacitly or clearly interpreted the Maḥmūdan (the ‘praiseworthy station)
Divine Bestowal mentioned in this as the station of the Major Intercession.
verse as God’s All-Comprehensive It is known as praiseworthy in the
and Absolute Mercy are Ibn ʿArabī in absolute sense, without specifying the
his Futūḥāt (Ibn ʿArabī, 1997, Vol. 3, subject of Ḥamīd (praise), because it is
p. 240). Others such as Mulla Hadi praised by all. And the reason for praise
Sabzawārī (Sabzawārī, 2007, p. 626), is because, it is the station of the Divine
conclude that it refers to the Prophetic Names in their highest realities, which
Station of Major Intercession. Both necessitates praise. And being the
interpretations are correct, for the highest station of the Divine Names, it
latter is an essential corollary of the is also the source of existence and the
former. In simple words, the station of primary station of Wasaṭah (mediation)
the all-comprehensive mercy is the and Shafāʿah (intercession). In the
primary intermediary of the existence, mystical jargon, it is the station of the
subsistence, perfection, etc. of all the All-Merciful, which breathes moment
entities of the different strata of by moment with all the different entities
existence. Hence it is also the primary throughout the strata of existence and
ontological intercessor. Exegetes of entifications. Hence it is also Shafi‘ (the
the Quran have --- in line with the primary intercessor) of whatever
teachings of the Fifth Imam al-Baqir - transpires in the realms of existence.
- also called this verse the most hope- Whilst explaining the fact that the Holy
giving verse of the Quran. Prophet occupies the station of the
• The Holy Quran says, “And keep leadership of intercession, Javādī Āmulī
vigil for a part of the night, as a in the book Adāb-i Fināy-i Muqarrabān
supererogatory [devotion] for you. It mentions the verse of the praiseworthy
may be that your Lord will raise you to station (The Quran, 17: 79), as well as
a praiseworthy station (Maqāman the verse of universal mercy (The Quran,
Maḥmūdan)” (The Quran, 17: 79). This 20: 107), and concludes on their bases
verse discusses one of the most that the Holy Prophet is Walī Niʿmat( the
fundamental practices of spiritual provider) of the realm of contingency
wayfaring that can transport the because he is the intermediary of Divine
wayfarer to a very high level of Grace to others. Hence in being an
perfection. Observing the night prayer intermediary and intercessor, he is the
which was made obligatory on the Imam of all and the belongings of others
Prophet would make him ascend to the are due to his bounty (Javādī Āmulī,
Praiseworthy Station. Many exegetes of 2010, Vol. 7, p. 330).
the Quran have interpreted al Maqāman • The Holy Quran says, “Say: To
