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“The Mystical and Divine Concept of Tajalli”

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“The Mystical and Divine Concept of Tajalli”

What is Tajalli?
Tajalli, an Arabic term meaning “manifestation,” refers to the appearance and disclosure of God as truth in Sufism. It describes how God reveals Himself in concrete forms.

Meaning of Tajalli
In mystical terms, Tajalli signifies the revelation of divine truth within both the human heart and the universe. This concept highlights the interconnectedness of creation, reflecting God’s indivisible oneness, or Tawhid. The Quran mentions Tajalli multiple times, notably in the story of Moses, where God’s manifestation causes the mountain to crumble, emphasizing the profound nature of divine appearances.

The concept is used five times in the Quran, including in the following verse:

When Musa [Moses] arrived at our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said: “O Lord, reveal Yourself to me that I may behold You.” “You cannot behold Me,” He said. “But look at the mountain: If it remains firm in its place you may then behold Me.” But when his Lord appeared on the mountain, making it crumble to a heap of dust, and Musa fell unconscious. When he recovered, he said: “All glory to You. I turn to You in repentance, and I am the first to believe.” (7. Al-Araf: 143)

Theological Interpretations
Theologians interpret Tajalli as God’s appearance, focusing on the possibility of seeing God (ruʾyā). Ash’ari Sunnis argue for this possibility, while Muta’zila Sunnis and Shia scholars contend that it is impossible to see God, using Quranic verses to support their views.

Tajalli in Mysticism
In mysticism, divine self-manifestation plays a crucial role in understanding existence. Two key symbols are central to Tajalli: the sun (shams) as a symbol of truth and the heart as a mirror reflecting this truth. The mystic’s journey involves discovering the divine presence within, which leads to a deeper understanding of truth and reality.

Epistemological Insights
From an epistemological perspective, truth manifests within the human heart during a mystical journey. As the mystic progresses, they embody divine attributes, reflecting these qualities in their actions. This divine charisma is seen as evidence of God’s presence within the individual. Moreover, Tajalli also signifies the removal of conceptual veils that obscure the understanding of divine truth.

Hierarchy of Manifestation
Mystics categorize the journey of understanding God into several levels:

  1. Muhazarah: The stage of self-effacement where God’s conduct is revealed.
  2. Tams: The level where God’s attributes become manifest.
  3. Mahq: The stage of revealing God’s essence within the mystic’s heart.

Ontological Understanding
Ontologically, Tajalli represents how absolute truth manifests throughout the universe. It is akin to the sun’s light reflecting in various mirrors, illustrating the diverse expressions of the divine in different beings.

By exploring the concept of Tajalli, we gain insight into the nature of divine manifestation and its significance in Sufi thought.

References

  1. Knysh, Alexander D. (1999-01-01). Ibn ‘Arabi in the Later Islamic Tradition: The Making of a Polemical Image in Medieval Islam. SUNY Press. ISBN 9780791439678.
  2.  Izutsu, Toshihiko (1984-01-01). Sufism and Taoism: A Comparative Study of Key Philosophical Concepts. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520052642.
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