On the Relationship between the Divine and Creation: An Advanced Analysis

45–46) Have you not considered your Lord, how He extended the shadow? And if He willed, He could have made it stationary; then We made the sun its guide. Subsequently, We gradually drew it towards Himself.

This verse describes natural phenomena such as shadow, the sun, night, and day, forming part of the signs of Divine creation. Its use to elucidate mystical concepts such as “existence in addition” is unfounded and incompatible with the apparent content of the verse.

Key point: Verse 45 of Surah Al-Furqan refers to creation and the signs of God and is not suitable for explaining mystical concepts such as ẓill al-talwīn.

Critique of Adding Terms to Qur’anic Verses

The addition of words such as “talwīn” or “long duration” to Qur’anic verses, particularly in mystical texts, is subject to critique. Such additions distort the meaning of the verse and diminish the scholarly and spiritual authority of the text. Mysticism must not deviate from the principles of Qur’anic exegesis by embellishing the Holy Qur’an with supplementary terminology.

Key point: Adding words to Qur’anic verses, such as “talwīn” or “long duration,” constitutes distortion and is inconsistent with semantic principles.

Critique of the Concept of “Long” in Created Existence

The term “long” is inadequate to describe created existence, as it is limited and finite, whereas created existence, as the manifestation of God, is eternal and primordial. Terms such as “long” and “short” cannot appropriately describe a reality beyond temporal and spatial limitations.

Key point: Created existence is eternal and primordial and cannot be described using finite attributes such as “long.”

Creation as the Manifestation of Divine Light

Creation is the manifestation of the light of God, not a veil or negative shadow. This is supported by the Qur’anic verse:
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth (An-Nur: 35).

This verse presents God as absolute light, with creation as the manifestation of this light. There is no veil between God and creation; creation is itself the radiance of divine illumination.

Key point: Creation is the manifestation of divine light, not a negative or illusory shadow, as indicated in the verse of light.

Critique of the “Nothingness” Perspective

The perspective that creation is pure nothingness is subject to critique. Creation possesses a manifest reality originating from divine light. This reality is neither void nor imaginary but a certain existence.

Key point: Creation has a manifest reality; it is neither void nor imaginary. The “nothingness” view is incompatible with mystical principles.

Distinction Between Existence and Manifestation

God is absolute existence, and creation is the manifestation of this existence. This distinction is central to understanding the unity of existence. Creation is not nonexistence, imagination, or nothing; it is a manifestation whose meaning is derived from its relation to God. Although it is dependent, this dependence does not negate its reality.

Key point: God is absolute existence, and creation is the manifestation of this existence; this distinction forms the foundation of the unity of existence.

Relationship between Creator and Creation

Recognising and giving thanks to creation leads to the recognition and gratitude towards the Creator, since creation manifests God. This principle is supported by the hadith: “He who does not thank the created does not thank the Creator.” Disrespect towards creation equates to disrespect towards God, as creation reflects the divine.

Key point: Creation manifests God, and gratitude for creation leads to gratitude towards the Creator.

The Reality of Shadow and Creation

Shadow, as part of divine creation, possesses an existential reality. Its reality is meaningful in relation to God and cannot be regarded as void or imaginary. Like other creatures, shadow reflects divine action and originates from the light of God.

Key point: Shadow has an existential reality and is part of divine creation, originating from divine light.

Critique of Intellectual Constructs

Views that reduce creation to intellectual constructs are critiqued. Creation has an objective reality deriving from divine light. This reality is neither imaginary in human intellect nor in divine intellect but exists externally.

Key point: Creation possesses an objective and manifest reality; it is not merely a mental construct, as it manifests divine light.

The Beauty of Mysticism and Creation

Mysticism should celebrate the beauty of God and creation with refined and logical language. The Qur’an describes God as “Aḥsan al-Khāliqīn” (the Best of Creators, Surah As-Sajda:7). Creation is thus introduced as beautiful, reflecting divine beauty. Mystical discourse should convey this beauty and avoid belittling creation as imaginary or void.

Key point: Mysticism should celebrate the beauty of God and creation using refined language, as the Qur’an describes God as Aḥsan al-Khāliqīn.

Human as the Complete Mirror of God

Humanity represents the full mirror of God, manifesting all divine names and attributes. God has manifested all His attributes in humans, making them complete and beautiful creations. This aligns with the concept of the Perfect Human in Islamic mysticism, reflecting all divine perfections.

Key point: Humanity is the full mirror of God, manifesting all divine names and attributes.

Unity of Existence and Manifestation

The unity of existence and manifestation is a foundational principle in Islamic mysticism. Existence and manifestation constitute a single reality, with creation representing its multiplicity. True mysticism perceives this unity within multiplicity, polishing the heart and guiding it to witness divine reality.

Key point: Existence and manifestation are a single reality; mysticism enables the perception of this unity within multiplicity.

Conclusion

This study focuses on the existential relationship between God and creation, interpreting ẓill al-talwīn as a metaphor for created existence. Creation, as the manifestation of God, possesses a subtle reality, neither void nor imaginary. Critiques of views reducing creation to imagination or nothingness are central. Additionally, the work emphasises refined mystical language, critique of inaccurate Qur’anic interpretations, and the representation of humans and creation as full mirrors of God.

By establishing a coherent relationship between God and creation, creation is introduced as the manifestation of divine light, rejecting any belittling of creation as void or imaginary. Key concepts such as the unity of existence and the manifest reality of creation are repeatedly highlighted.

Key Mystical Concepts: Talwīn, Tamkīn, and the Straight Path

The introduction examines talwīn, tamkīn, and the straight path within practical and theoretical mysticism. By critiquing previous interpretations, analysing Qur’anic verses, and explaining the ranks of the divine saints, it opens a pathway to monotheistic knowledge and access to divine truth.

Key point: Talwīn represents the manifestation of creation, obstructing the direct witnessing of God, whereas tamkīn signifies witnessing divine truth without reliance on creation. The straight path is inherently easy for the saints and challenging only due to the responsibility of guiding others.

Divine Influence on the Heart of the Seeker

When divine truth resides in the heart of the seeker, worldly matters lose significance. This transformation liberates the heart from material attachment, allowing the seeker to perceive reality without distortion. Saints, connected to God, exercise mastery over worldly matters, demonstrating the impact of divine truth on the heart and life of the practitioner.

Key point: Divine presence in the heart diminishes attachment to worldly matters and enables mastery over creation for the saints.

Qur’anic Verses and the Clarification of Divine Unity

Commentary on Qur’anic verses, such as “Have you not considered your Lord, how He extended the shadow?” (Surah Al-Furqan, 45), highlights the need to align mystical interpretations with the apparent meaning. The divine power guarantees the continuous existence of creation, and mystical insight distinguishes between the veiled and the enlightened, affirming that all creatures are manifestations of God, not voids.

Key point: Mystical interpretations must respect the apparent meaning of the verses; divine power ensures the continuous existence of creation, and all creation manifests God.