⏳ AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM: The Sufi Concept of Everlasting Time
Definition
AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM (الوقت الدائم) is a Ṣūfī term that literally translates to “The Everlasting Time.” It refers to the extent of existence of the Eternal One, capturing the notion of perpetual duration in the divine context.
Etymology
- AL-WAQT (الوقت): Time
- ʾD-DĀʾIM (الدائم): Everlasting or Eternal
The term combines these two Arabic words to underscore the timeless and infinite nature of divine existence.
Background
Ṣhūfīsm, the mystical branch of Islam, seeks a direct personal experience with the divine. Terms such as AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM emerge from this mystical lexicon to describe ineffable spiritual states and concepts. AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM specifically points to an understanding of time that transcends the human experience, returning again and again to the supernatural quality of divine permanence.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
In Islam
Within Islamic teachings, AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM aligns with the broader theological concepts of God’s infinite and eternal nature, as found in numerous Qurʾānic verses emphasizing Allah’s everlasting existence.
In Other Spiritual Traditions
- Christianity: Concepts such as God’s eternal nature and the idea of ‘Alpha and Omega’ broadly resonate with AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM.
- Hinduism: The notion of time in Hinduism involves cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction, calling to mind a divine reality underpinning the universe.
- Buddhism: While fundamentally differing in its concepts of divinity, Buddhism’s understanding of timelessness in advanced states of enlightenment offers a point of conceptual contact.
Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- Eternity (خالد خالد)
- Infinite Time (الزمن اللانهائي)
Antonyms
- Temporal (مؤقت)
- Finite Time (الوقت المحدود)
Related Terms with Definitions
- SARMAD (سرمد): An eternal, unending existence.
- DHIKR (ذکر): Remembrance or invocation, often linked with the eternal presence of the divine.
Exciting Facts
- 📕 Did you know? Some ṡūfīs believe that true understanding of AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM can only be achieved through direct mystical experience or divine revelation, beyond the grasp of rational thought.
- 💡 Quote: Renowned ṣūfī mystic, Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī observed, “Time is a servant of the Eternal. Understand this, and you understand all time.”
Quotations
📖 Quote from Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī: “Time comes into being with our thoughts, but the Eternal One stands beyond the very fabric of what we perceive. Thus, to know AL-WAQTU ʾD-DĀʾIM is to transcend our understanding itself.”
References
- “Dictionary of Ṣūfī Terms” by ʿAbdu ʾr-Razzāq.
- “The Essential Rumi” translated by Coleman Barks.
- “Islamic Mysticism: A Brief History” by Alexander Knysh.
Suggested Literature
- “The Conference of the Birds” by Farīd ud-Dīn ‘Aṭṭār.
- “Mysticism in Islam: The Ṣūfī Tradition” by William Chittick.
- “The `Tao of Islam: A Sourcebook on Gender Relationships in Islamic Thought” by Sachiko Murata.
Thought-Provoking Farewell
May your journey through the timeless teachings of Ṣūfīsm offer you a glimpse of the Eternal One, reminding you that some truths exist beyond the ephemeral ticks of our mortal clocks. Embrace the everlasting, and may your soul find peace in the timelessness of divine love.
