Sittings of August 1959 — Part IV

مجالسِ اگست ۱۹۵۹ — حصہ چہارم

18 August 1959 (Saturday)

Topic 18–20: Compound and Simple Names; Two Essences in One Existence; Multiplicity from Unity

Hazrat spoke about the difference between compound names (Ism Murakkab) and simple names (Ism Basit). A simple name designates a single reality directly, whereas a compound name is composed of multiple elements. In the context of the Divine Names and Attributes, each name is simple in its own right, though the Divine Essence is One and indivisible.

The question of 'two essences in one existence' was addressed through a subtle metaphysical discussion. Hazrat explained that though the Divine Essence and the creaturely world appear as two, in terms of true existence, only the Divine Essence truly IS. What we call 'creation' is a relational existence (wujud idafi) — it has reality only in relation to the Divine, not independently.

Hazrat used the analogy of a circle: a circle has one center and one circumference, yet within that single geometric form, multiplicity appears — the center, the radii, and the circumference are all distinct yet all belong to the same single figure. Similarly, from the Unity of the Divine Essence (wahdah), an infinite multiplicity of Names and creatures manifests, yet the Unity is not compromised.

Hazrat recited a verse:

دائرہ سے منتزع ہیں مرکز، قطر و محیط شانِ وحدت سے ہوئی ہے نمایاں کثرت

(The center, diameter and circumference are all abstracted from the circle — it is from the quality of Unity that multiplicity has become manifest.)

Topics 21–22: The Station of Hazrat Qibla; The Compiler's Receipt of the Shaykh's Attention

The compiler records: On this occasion, Hazrat Qibla directed his spiritual attention (tawajjuh) toward the compiler. This moment of inner illumination was deeply transformative, and the compiler notes it here as a precious memory of the Shaykh's grace.