🌌 HU, HUWA (هو‎): Unveiling the Divine Pronoun

HU, HUWA (هو‎) - Unveiling the Divine Pronoun 🌌

Definition

HU, HUWA (هو‎): The Arabic third-person singular masculine pronoun, translating to “he,” typically connoting the Divine, or God. Predominantly found in the Qur’an and Islamic liturgy, it underscores the oneness and singularity of Allah.

Etymology and Background

• Etymology: The word “Huwa” combines “Ya” (Oh, addressing) and “Huwa” (He/It), signifying Divine presence.
• Scriptural Use: For instance, in Surah Al-Imran (3:2): “Allah, there is no deity except Him (Huwa).”
• Mystical Interpretation: In Ṣūfī tradition, “Ya Hu, Ya Hu” (Oh He, Oh He) chants are common, echoing Divine omnipresence.

Cultural Differences and Similarities

• Islamic Tradition: In classical Islamic theology, “Huwa” is pivotal in acknowledging the uniqueness of Allah.
• Sufism: Ṣūfī poets and mystics often use “Huwa” to express the ineffability of God. For instance, they recite: “Yā man lā yaʿlamu mā hū illā hū” (O He whom no one knows what He Himself is but Himself).

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms:
  • “Ilāh” (Deity)
  • “Allah” (The God)
• Antonyms:
  • None, given the unparalleled nature of “Huwa” in monotheistic contexts.

Related Terms with Definitions

• Ismu ʾL-AʿZAM: Refers to the ‘Greatest Name’ of God known only to Himself.
• Tawhid: The concept of monotheism in Islam, emphasizing Allah’s uniqueness.

Exciting Facts

• Ṣūfī Chanting: Some Ṣūfīs believe the vibration from chanting “Hu” brings one closer to a divine state of consciousness.
• Qur’anic Reference: “Huwa” appears frequently in the Qur’an, embedding the concept of Divine Unity deeply in Islamic belief.

Quotations from Notable Writers

• Rumi: “In the end what will he say, these words without revelation, but Hu, Hu! All cries, all itself meld into Hu.”
• Ibn Arabi: “He is not known except by He.”

Suggested Literature and Other Sources

For those inspired by the profound depths of “Huwa,” the following pieces provide a richer understanding:

• Books:
  • “The Mystics of Islam” by Reynold A. Nicholson
  • “The Essential Rumi” translated by Coleman Barks
  • “Futuhat al-Makkiyya” by Ibn Arabi
• Articles and Essays:
  • “The Concept of God in Sufism” by William Chittick
• Lectures:
  • “The Divine Names in Islam” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Towards Immortality, Truth, and Oneness, Faisal El-Zayani