In Sufism, "Huwa" (هُوَ) is not typically considered an attribute (ṣifah) of God in the traditional sense, but rather a pronoun that refers to God's essence, emphasizing God's transcendence and absolute oneness. Sufis use Huwa as a profound and mystical reference to the Divine, pointing to the ineffable and unknowable aspect of God’s nature. It reflects the notion that God is beyond human comprehension and description.
Is Huwa an Attribute of God?
In Islamic theology, God is known by His 99 names (Asma’ul Husna), which are considered attributes that describe various qualities of God, such as The Merciful (Ar-Rahman), The Compassionate (Ar-Rahim), or The All-Knowing (Al-'Alim). However, Huwa is not traditionally counted among these attributes.
Instead, Huwa signifies the Divine presence beyond names and attributes, often indicating God's pure being or existence. In Sufism, it is sometimes used in meditation or dhikr (remembrance of God), where the mystic seeks to connect with the transcendent, hidden aspect of God. It is a reminder that, no matter what names or attributes are used to describe God, the ultimate reality of God is beyond words.
Is Huwa the Secret Name of God in Sufism?
Huwa is sometimes referred to as a secret or hidden name of God in certain Sufi traditions, though this concept of a "secret" name is more symbolic than literal. In Sufism, the "secret name" refers to the ineffable nature of God—the part of God’s essence that is beyond human knowledge and cannot be fully grasped by the mind or expressed through language.
For Sufis, the use of Huwa (or "Ya Hu") in spiritual practices like dhikr is meant to invoke God’s most mysterious and transcendent presence. It is considered esoteric because it leads the seeker toward an experiential understanding of God, beyond intellectual knowledge. The "secrecy" lies in the mystical experience of the Divine, which is deeply personal and cannot be fully communicated or understood by others.
Conclusion:
- Huwa is not an attribute of God in the traditional sense, but a profound reference to God’s ultimate existence and oneness.
- While Huwa may be considered a secret name of God, this secrecy is symbolic of God’s transcendence and mystical unknowability, rather than being a hidden or exclusive name.
- In Sufism, Huwa represents the mystery of the Divine essence that goes beyond all names and attributes, drawing the seeker closer to the heart of God’s ineffable reality.
Comments
Post a Comment