The One Being: Awareness of Unity and Uniqueness
One of the cornerstones of Sufi thought is understanding Allah with His unique and unparalleled essence. As emphasized in the works of Abdülkadir Geylânî, recognizing Allah Ta’ala through signs and evidence begins with comprehending His unity. This is not merely intellectual knowledge but also an experience that penetrates the depths of the heart; it is knowing without a doubt that He has no partner, helper, or equal. The absolute existence and transcendence of Allah, independent of body and emotions, elevates Him above all creation and invites humanity to turn towards Him.
The Union of Power and Mercy with Majesty
The attributes of Allah Ta’ala encompass His power, mercy, and justice simultaneously. Geylânî concretizes this understanding through the mention of many names such as Aziz (Noble), Kâhir (Dominant), Hâkim (Ruler), Rahim (Merciful), and Gafur (Forgiving). These attributes express not only Allah’s absolute power and knowledge but also His merciful and forgiving aspects. Alongside a power that can be overpowering, it demonstrates forgiveness and beneficence, which gives hope to humanity and encourages submission; the majesty and greatness of Allah are limitless, and the divine wisdom He enacts at every moment possesses a depth beyond the comprehension of the servant.
The Divine Will Behind Creation
Allah Ta’ala’s act of creation is the most prominent manifestation of His will. As emphasized in Geylânî’s work, what He creates and their sustenance and ultimate fate are within Allah’s decree. He can advance what He delays, and delay what He advances; this demonstrates the absoluteness of divine destiny and the limitations of humanity. Allah’s command for the destruction of all creation and the accounting of everyone according to their deeds on the Day of Judgment reminds us of the transience of existence and His ultimate power; humans must know their responsibility for their actions and submit to the divine will.
Invisible to the Eye, Understood by the Heart: The Path to Allah
While it is not possible to directly see the existence of Allah Ta’ala, there are ways to reach Him. Geylânî emphasizes the importance of being aware of everything encompassed by divine knowledge and the depths of creation, with the expressions of Ibn-i Abbâs. The heart of believers is within the powerful hand of Allah; this expresses His ability to guide and protect hearts. On the Day of Judgment, believers will look at their Lord without any doubt, which is a hope for those who seek sincerely in this world. The way to reach Allah lies in understanding His names and attributes, purifying the heart, and turning towards Him.