The Fourteenth Flash – Part II

Indeed, in order to express this exalted secret, the Wise Qur’an, when speaking of the greatest circle of the universe—for example, the creation of the heavens and the earth—suddenly turns to the smallest circle and the most subtle individual being, thereby visibly displaying the seal of ahadiyyahAllah’s oneness as manifested in every individual being..

Thus, after speaking of the creation of the heavens and the earth, it immediately turns to the creation of man, his voice, and the delicate signs of favour and wisdom manifested in his face, so that the mind is not scattered, the heart is not overwhelmed, and the spirit finds its Object of Worship directly. For example, the verse:

وَمِنْ اٰيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَاْلاَرْضِ وَاخْتِلاَفُ اَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَاَلْوَانِكُمْAmong His signs are the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and colors. – The Quran 30: 22

miraculously demonstrates this truth.

Indeed, among the countless creatures and infinite multiplicity are seals of unity resembling concentric circles, extending in degrees from the greatest seal to the smallest. Yet however manifest that unity may be, it remains a unity within multiplicity and therefore cannot by itself secure complete hudūrThe awareness of being in the presence and under the watch of Allah.. For this reason, behind that unity there must also be the seal of ahadiyyahAllah’s oneness as manifested in every individual being., so that multiplicity does not distract the mind and a direct path to the Most Sacred Essence is opened for the heart.

In order to draw attention to the seal of ahadiyyahAllah’s oneness as manifested in every individual being. and attract hearts toward it, Allah has placed upon that seal the seal of mercy and compassion, which appears as an exceedingly attractive adornment, a radiant light, a delightful sweetness, a lovable beauty, and an immensely powerful reality.

Indeed, it is the attractive power of that mercy which draws the attention of conscious beings, leads them to the seal of ahadiyyahAllah’s oneness as manifested in every individual being., enables them to behold the One who manifests Himself in every individual being, and allows them truly to realize the meaning of

اِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَاِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعٖينُYou alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. — The Quran 1:5

Thus, BismillāhirrahmānirrahīmIn the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful., being the index of al-FātihaThe Opening Chapter of the Qur’an. and a concise summary of the Qur’an, has become the title and interpreter of this exalted secret. Whoever takes hold of this title may journey through the degrees of mercy, and whoever allows this interpreter to speak will come to understand the mysteries of mercy and behold the lights of compassion and tenderness.

The Fifth Mystery

It is narrated in a hadithA report of the sayings, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh).:

اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَلَقَ اْلاِنْسَانَ عَلٰى صُورَةِ الرَّحْمٰنِIndeed, Allah created the human being upon the image of the Most Compassionate.

Some of the Sufis have interpreted this hadithA report of the sayings, actions, or approvals of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh). in a peculiar manner that does not accord with the foundations of faith. Some lovers of Allah have even gone so far as to regard the spiritual face of man as though it were a form of the RahmānAllah, the Most Compassionate, whose mercy embraces all creation..

Since most Sufis experience spiritual ecstasy (sakr), and many lovers of Allah experience spiritual absorption and confusion (istighrāq and iltibās), they may perhaps be excused for views that conflict with the truth. But those who retain their reason and clear judgment cannot accept interpretations that contradict the foundations of faith; if they do, they fall into error.