of Nokounam, , Session Thirty-Three
The concept of Asm in the Holy Quran, like a golden key, opens the gates of Divine knowledge to the seekers of Truth. This concept, manifest in the verse And He taught Adam the namesall of them (Al-Baqarah: 31), not only refers to the rank of Adams vicegerency but also, within the realms of mysticism and philosophy, indicates the manifestations and determinations of the Divine Essence at various levels. This treatise, employing a mystical and philosophical approach, endeavours to explore the reality of the Asm, the distinction between the determinative and absolute vessels, and the station of Al-Ism Talismn al-Asm. Relying on Quranic verses and narrations, and articulated in an exalted and scientific language, this exegesis aims to elucidate the profound layers of this concept for a scholarly audience, whilst portraying the celestial harmony of the Divine Word beneath its meanings.
And He taught Adam the namesall of them; then He presented them to the angels and said, Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.
This verse alludes to the teaching of all Asm to Adam, peace be upon him, which is a sign of his rank as the Divine vicegerent. The term Asm in this context transcends mere apparent names, denoting the determinations and manifestations of the Divine Essence across intrinsic, actual, and created levels. The word all emphasises the comprehensiveness of this teaching and indicates Adams superiority over the angels, who, due to limitations in their level of determination, were incapable of fully comprehending the Asm.
The Divine address to the angels, Inform Me of the names of these, is not about the awareness of apparent names such as Allah, Ar-Rahman, and Ar-Rahim, which the angels were also aware of, but rather points to the inner reality and the code of the Asm. This reality, connected to the undetermined Divine Essence, was beyond the reach of the angels. Adams knowledge of these codes elevated him to a sublime rank, surpassing that of the angels.
The Divine names, such as Allah, Ar-Rahman, and Ar-Rahim, reside within the determinative vessel, meaning they are constrained by specific attributes. Allah encompasses all the attributes of Beauty and Majesty, yet remains at the level of determination. Ar-Rahman refers to the general mercy of God and the actualities of creation, and Ar-Rahim denotes the special mercy and the perfection of guidance. These names, like mirrors, reflect the manifestations of the Divine Essence at various levels but remain confined within determination.
The concept of Al-Ism Talismn al-Asm points to the undetermined Divine Essence in the station of Unity. This absolute Ism is the key to the knowledge of all Asm and transcends all forms of constraint and determination. Unlike general names which are interpretable, the absolute Ism is uninterpretable and connected to the reality of the Essence. This concept, like a hidden gem, is the source of all manifestations and determinations.
All determinations, whether intrinsic, actual, or created Asm, are manifestations of Unity. Unity itself is a name, and the Ism is the origin of these determinations. Each name, such as Allah or Ar-Rahman, is like a ray of the light of Unity, revealing a facet of the Divine Essence. Created and manifest manifestations, which appear in the realm of creation and spiritual journeying, are all names and return to the absolute reality.
On the path of spiritual wayfaring, the seeker attains the station of absoluteness by removing the determinative vessels from the heart. At this station, constrained names are no longer necessary, for the seeker comprehends the absolute Essence. This station, like a lofty summit, liberates the seeker from the bonds of manifestations and connects him to the unrestrained reality of Unity. In this state, the address O Ism loses its meaning, for the absolute Ism transcends all constrained addresses.
And indeed I named her Maryam. (Al-Imran: 36)
This verse refers to the naming of Maryam, which is a determinative and sovereign name, indicating a specific manifestation of Divine will.
Indeed, We give you good tidings of a boy whose name is Yahya. (Maryam: 7)
This verse also refers to the determinative name Yahya, a manifestation of Divine determination.
Blessed is the name of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honour. (Ar-Rahman: 78)
This verse points to the Ism ar-Rabb in the absolute station, which is blessed and beyond determinations.
Read in the name of your Lord who created. (Al-Alaq: 1)
This verse associates recitation in the name with connection to the station of absoluteness.
He said, Embark therein in the name of Allah, its course and its anchorage. (Hud: 41)
This verse connects Bismillah to the absolute name, which is the source of motion and stability.
Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High. (Al-Al: 1)
This verse refers to the sanctification of the Ism ar-Rabb from determinations, placing it in the station of absoluteness.
Each Divine name possesses a code or inner reality, by knowing which existential miracles become possible. These codes are connected to the denotations of the names and, beyond the apparent utterance, refer to the reality of the Essence. For example, pronouncing Allah or Ar-Rahman without knowledge of their codes has limited effect, but awareness of their inner reality can lead to existential revival.
General names, such as Allah and Ar-Rahman, are constrained by attributes and reside in the level of determinations, whereas the absolute Ism is uninterpretable and connected to Unity. This absolute name, like a gateway to the Mafth al-Ghayb (Keys of the Unseen), enables Divine knowledge.
The heart without a heart is the vessel of absoluteness that, by removing determinations, reflects the absolute Essence. This station, wherein the seeker is freed from the bonds of manifestations, is like a clear mirror displaying the unrestricted Divine reality. At this state, the seeker no longer requires constrained addresses and is connected to the undetermined Essence.
The concept of Asm in the Holy Quran, like a shining jewel, is a guide to Divine knowledge and spiritual wayfaring. The verse And He taught Adam the namesall of them, by emphasising the teaching of all names to Adam, reveals his vicegerency in contrast to the incapacity of the angels. The distinction between the determinative vessel (constrained names such as Allah and Ar-Rahman) and the absolute vessel (Al-Ism Talismn al-Asm) indicates the ranks of Divine manifestations, extending from apparent determinations to the undetermined reality of Unity.
On the spiritual path, the seeker, by removing determinations, attains the station of absoluteness where the heart without a heart, like a clear mirror, reflects the absolute Essence. Related verses, from the naming of Maryam and Yahya to the glorification of the Ism ar-Rabb, all point to the reality that the Asm, whether at the determinative or absolute station, are keys to the Mafth al-Ghayb. The existential codes of the Asm, connected to their inner realities, can enable existential miracles, and the absolute Ism, like a talisman, is the origin of all manifestations.
This exegesis, relying on a mystical and philosophical approach, not only elucidates the knowledge of the Asm but also paves the way for future research in the field of theoretical and practical mysticism. The discovery of these truths can reanimate the Holy Quran as a living and dynamic book within human life and guide seekers to the summits of Divine knowledge.
Under the supervision of Sadegh Khademi
