Cism (body), is that which is composed of various parts. (Hujwīrī, 469)
Everything indicated by a sensory ishāra (sensory indication) is a cism. Without exception, every cism possesses width, length, and depth. All cisms share this characteristic. That which is common to all must also be distinguished from others. What differentiates cisms from one another are their forms (hayʾa) and their accidents (aʿrāḍ). Thus, forms (hayʾa) are necessary for the ḥaqīqa (inner reality) of a cism. And this necessity is inseparable from it. (Hayākil, 47)
Know that when Allah, exalted is He, created the khalīfa (vicegerent, i.e., the spirit) mentioned above, He built a city for that khalīfa. He settled its subjects and the officials of the state in this city, which is called the cism or body. He assigned a place for that khalīfa. Or its...