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As known, “B-ismi-llah”, which means “in the name
(ism) of Allah”, signifies that “Allah” is a name.
Name sometimes signifies the Named in some aspects.
We had brought the subject a different perspective by using the
phrase “the one named as Allah” before. Now let’s focus
on another way of looking on the name of “Allah” based on its
original writing in
Arabic.
As it is well known by the people who are interested in Sufism,
there are four dimensional worlds (alam)… The Universe of
Essence (zat), the Universe of Attributes (sifat),
the Universe of the Names (asma), and the Universe of
Actions (afal)… Living in these universes one can
experience spiritual ascendance (uruj) and the person
knows his truth (haqiqat).
After this short reminding, now let’s introduce our subject…
When the noun “Allah” is written in Arabic letters, it starts
with the letter “alif”, which stands single at the
beginning free from all the letters that follows. Next to the
letter alif are two letters of “lam”
connected to each other, second of which are followed by the
letter ‘h’ in the end, which looks like a circle (in
Qufi writing it looks like a square). There is also another
“alif” which is invisible in between the second “lam”
and “h” but it is read and voiced as “a”.
Now, let us have a look at the meanings that these letters
symbolize and represent. Of course this evaluation is based on
the spiritual discoveries (kashf) of its people and it
does not force anybody to believe. However, we shall share the
following
information
hoping it be helpful for some assessment.
According to its people, the first “alif”, signifies the
'quality of Ahad' (Ahadiyyat) in other words the
Essence (Zat) of the One named as “Allah”. The Essence
cannot be limited by any idea or thought because of its absolute
freedom and independence from the attributes. It is such a
NOTHINGNESS that there cannot be any thought, imagination or
definition about it. This state is symbolized by the absolutely
free letter “alif” in the writing, which is the extended
state of a dot.
Let us come to the first “lam”… The first “lam”
refers to universe of Attributes. Everything that exists comes
to life, becomes conscious and powerful through the qualities of
this dimension of attributes. All of the universes are made up
of the unfoldment of the spiritual level of Names, which is an
outcome of the spiritual level of Attributes. That’s why the
first “lam” or the letter “L” is tied to
the second “lam” or “L” in the writing.
As for the second “lam”… The second “lam”,
in other words the letter “L”, is tied to the first “lam”,
because the entire existence is made up of and subsists with the
qualities of the spiritual level of Attributes. All the
qualities found in the spiritual level of Names take their
origin from the spiritual level of Attributes deep within.
Because of this reason, the second “lam” takes
part in this demonstrative pronoun for the second time as a
repetition of the first one but as different from it in terms of
its detail and its disclosure. The second “lam”
takes its existence from the first one, but it is seen as a
repetition of the first “lam” because of its
reference to a different level which creates innumerable
revelations.
Let us come to the letter “h”… Both in its form of a
circle figure tied to the second “lam” that has been
written for ages and of its squared appearance used in Qufi
writing character in early days of Islam, “h” signifies this…
The universe of Actions, that exhibits the qualities that have
no beginning and end in a phase of continuous transformation
which comes out of the universe of Attributes and Names, in
other words, the innumerable universes in universe and
everything that has been perceived in them!
The letter “h” being two eyed, or having two dots on top in Qufi
style of writing, is a two-way consideration of the universe of
Actions as visible (zaahir) and invisible (ghayb)
worlds with reference to the perception level of its
observer.
The letter “h” is tied to the second “lam”,
because the universe of Actions has no independent existence
from the universe of Names and from the universe of Attributes;
and what is more, it exists with the existence of the qualities
in the dimension of Attributes and Names from which it is
originated itself.
Besides this, there is a hidden “alif”
between the second “lam” and “h” which is not seen
but its existence is pronounced in every reading. This shows
that the universe of Actions exists and continues its existence
(subsists) with the existence of the Essence and its will in
Hu’s knowledge (ilm) and with the existence of Hu’s
Attributes and Names.
No doubt, its people will realize what we have communicated from
the masters of spiritual discovery more comprehensively and they
will evaluate better what the name “Allah” denotes and
why this name has been found suitable and chosen.
I hope this information established by spiritual discoveries,
will help us understand the fine point of the name of “Allah”
better and use this word more appropriately form now on.AHMED HULUSI
January 29, 2003
NC, USA
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