Understanding the Heart’s Revelation: Awareness of Continuous Transformation
In the works of Mühiyyeddin Ibn Arabi, the heart is depicted not only as an emotional center but also as the central point connecting cosmic change and divine revelation. Knowing what the hearts of angels are like is key to understanding how they perceive divine revelation; because angels themselves are shaped by Allah’s radiant revelations in a constantly changing universe. This indicates that humanity also exists within this cosmic flow and takes on a new form with every breath. Just as Allah transforms night into day, hearts are in a constant state of transformation; this transformation is made possible by the manifestation of the Truth in forms (surets). Therefore, the person who truly seeks divine knowledge must realize that the universe is constantly changing and that the power behind this change is Allah Himself.
Journeying Between Forms: Universal Change and the Human-Angel Relationship
Ibn Arabi emphasizes that the universe is in a state of constant change. This change occurs through the manifestations of Allah’s names, appearing differently on every level from heaven to earth. Angels are also part of this cosmic change and fill the heavens with the revelation sent to them by Allah; while on Earth they interact with what is destined. Humans will also exist with their own forms in the afterlife. Angels do not have a process like death and resurrection as in the worldly life; they constantly faint and awaken. This indicates that their way of perceiving divine manifestation differs from worldly existence: for angels, fainting and awakening are a cosmic reflection of the world’s trial process.
Manifestation of Identity: The Angels’ Levels of Knowledge and Divine Truth
It is stated that angels have different levels regarding knowing Allah. These levels express their capacity to understand divine truth; because each angel perceives the Truth according to their own level. The fact that angels confirm one another and transmit knowledge shows that even in these different levels, they seek a common reality. They have reached the principle of “There is nothing like Him”; this principle expresses the aspect of Allah’s identity that disappears during its manifestation and represents the deepest knowledge about divine truth. Because angels do not try to limit Allah with their own existence, they are closer to Him and can directly answer the question, “What did your Lord say?”