Nuri explained that different people call God by different names. The Sufis call him al-Haqq (Truth), while those in need of daily sustenance call him Al-Rahman (Merciful), while those who seek Heaven call him Al-Rahim (Compassionate). Those who aspire to worldly achievements call him Al-Malik (King).
Abu Said explained that the ninety-nine names of God are like the beads of the mishaba. The name Subhan (Glorified) is the greatest name, like the knot that ties the mishaba's string. This name holds all names, as the knot holds the beads; without this, the beads fall off the string and are scattered.
Inspired by: Under the Sufi's Cloak: Stories of Abu Said and His Mystical Teaching by Mohammad Ali Jamnia and Mojdeh Bayat
Notes: This story is on p. 24 of the book. Abu Said told this story about Nuri, a disciple of Junaid; you can read about them all at Wikipedia. You can also read about the practice of tasbih, the praising of God, using the mishaba to keep track.
No comments:
Post a Comment