What Does a Womb of Place Mean and Why Do Different Locations Have Different Mathematical Laws?
Sometimes, a place has such power that it can erase years of negligence in an instant. It is as if you reclaim your life and find a fresh opportunity to start anew. Have you ever noticed why certain places evoke a deep sense of peace and spirituality in people?
You might have felt a sense of lightness and tranquility after visiting a sacred site like a shrine or a special mosque. This is not just a fleeting feeling; there is a hidden principle behind it. Just as every physical location has its unique characteristics—like area, energy, and climate—there are also spiritual places that have a special impact on our souls and emotions.
These places, referred to as “the wombs of place,” follow precise mathematical laws regarding energy and influence on humans, known as “the mathematics of a place.” These rules are similar to the relationships governing the womb; just as a mother’s womb transforms a sperm into a complete human in a short time, wombs of time can quickly compensate for our spiritual weaknesses and bring us closer to our ideal selves. In this article, we will discuss the concept of womb of place in detail and introduce some powerful examples for better understanding.
The Womb of Place and Its Types
Why do many people, even those with no background in spirituality, experience profound inner transformations after visiting places like Karbala, Mashhad, or Masjid al-Haram? What secrets do these places hold that can change a person’s life in just a few days?
Often, when a person enters a sacred place, their thoughts and feelings shift. For instance, when we enter the shrine of Imam Reza (Peace be upon him) or an ancient mosque, we experience a unique sense of peace and lightness. This effect is not solely due to the architecture or ambiance; it relates to the metaphysical characteristics of the place. As mentioned, such places are called the wombs of time. The Kaaba, the shrines of the infallible Imams (Peace be upon them), mosques, battlefields of the military jihad [1], cemeteries, prayer niches in homes, and even Hussainiyyas [2] are examples of wombs od time. In these environments, the pressure of material forces diminishes, allowing individuals to establish a deeper connection with their true existence.
Essentially, growth and becoming do not occur uniformly everywhere. Where we live and with whom we associate significantly impacts our spiritual elevation or decline. Our soul child nurtures in places that promote spirituality and humanity thrives, while in purely nature-oriented environments, they become ill, potentially leading to their death. For example, marketplaces are the meeting places of Satan [3], negatively affecting fitrah (innate nature) and reinforcing material nature. This is so crucial that it is recommended to do dhikr upon entering marketplaces [4].
Next, we will introduce some examples of powerful wombs of time. Stay with us.
The Shrines of the Infallible Imams (Peace be upon them) as Wombs of Place
Although the infallible Imams (Peace be upon them) are present everywhere, their shrines, as wombs of time, significantly influence our souls, greatly accelerating our growth and strengthening our relationship with them. The strongest womb of place on earth is Karbala. This is why, on the Day of Arafah, before God pays attention to the pilgrims, He focuses on the visitors of Karbala, as the spirit of monotheism is embedded in the concept of wilayah (guardianship). God chose to have Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) born in the Kaaba to show that the spirit and essence of the Kaaba is the infallible Imam, and without a guardian and infallible expert, establishing a relationship with God Almighty is impossible [5].
The presence of numerous shrines of the descendants of the Ahl al bayt (Peace be upon them) across Iran also follows a systematic order. The descendants of Imam Kazim (Peace be upon him) were tasked with establishing wombs of place in various places in Iran to facilitate the spiritual growth of the people and prepare the ground for the Iranian Revolution.
The Mosques as Wombs of Place
All humans instinctively seek suitable places for their natural nourishment and pleasures. For instance, they prefer locations like by a stream, under a tree, or beside a river for eating or drinking tea, as these places provide a better feeling and enhance their enjoyment.
This principle also applies to nourishing the soul and fitrah; therefore, we should be discerning in choosing the best places for our spiritual growth. For example, a mosque is the best place for prayer because it prepares and strengthens a person spiritually. Additionally, the principle of congregational prayer allows us to benefit from the collective spirit.
The Prayer Niches at Home as Wombs of Place
It is recommended that individuals designate a place in their homes as a prayer area, creating a womb of place within their home. It is also advised to place the dying person in this place, as it is where they can meet God, providing them with peace and reassurance [6].
The Cemeteries as Wombs of Place
The cemeteries as wombs of place offer humans a chance for reflection, focus, and a type of inner strength. The recommendation to visit cemeteries during moments of sorrow and joy is systematic and has a profound impact on the soul, reminding individuals of the transient nature of this world and the eternity of the hereafter, thus freeing the soul from attachment to worldly matters. Some mystics, like Ayatollah Qazi, attributed their attainment of the unseen knowledge to their concentration and contemplation in cemeteries.
In this lesson, we discussed the concept of womb of place and explained how these locations can create profound and rapid transformations in our souls, even compensating for a lifetime of neglect. The shrines of the infallible Imams (Peace be upon them), mosques, battlefields of the military jihad, and even prayer niches in homes are examples of these wombs of place that pave the way for spiritual growth and bring us closer to our true existence.
References
[1]. Struggle in the cause of Allah
[2]. A building where Shias come together for religious events, especially to mourn during Muharram
[3]. Nahjul Balaghah, Letter 69
[4]. Al-Muttaqi. Kanz al-’Ummal, no. 9330
[5]. Al-Kulayni. Al Kafi, vol.4. p. 549
[6]. Al-Tusi. Tahdhib al Ahkam. Vol. 1. P. 427