Contemplation of Personal Name of Allah (Ism e Allah Zaat)
In addition to invocation (zikr) with breaths, contemplation (tasawur) of Ism e Allah Zaat (اَللّٰہُ) is also necessary for complete recognition and gnosis (marifa) of Allah. Eyes and power of sight are best source to recognize anything. Other senses cannot give complete knowledge about things, however we can identify anything with the sense of sight. So, contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat (Ism e Azam) with sight alongwith invocation by inhale and exhale (pass-infass) is the perfect source of having a vision of Allah. Allah has commanded to contemplate Ism e Allah Zaat in Quran in addition to its invocation.
وَ اذۡکُرِ اسۡمَ رَبِّکَ وَ تَبَتَّلۡ اِلَیۡہِ تَبۡتِیۡلًا
Meaning: And continue invoking your Allah’s Name devoted completely to Him alone (in your heart and soul) broken away from everyone else. (73:8)
The first part of this verse refers to invocation while the second part refers to contemplation. ‘Broken away from everyone else’ means to get your mind free from thoughts of all others. Whereas, ‘devoted to Him alone’ means to concentrate completely on the name of Allah. Only this name should be in the inward, mind, soul, breath, and in vision also. This is in fact what is meant by contemplation or tasawur.
What is the benefit of contemplating Ism e Azam?
Excessive contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat, influences the seeker’s soul with its great powers, hence enlivening it. Consequently, the eyes of the soul open and get enlightenment from the Divine light of Ism e Azam. This powerful sight of the soul gains the vision of Allah which is the ultimate station of Qurb e Ilahi (Divine love) and helps seeker in His recognition.
Relation between invocation and contemplation
Invocation and contemplation are interrelated and inter-knitted. Our brain is always thinking, it can’t be laid to rest. This thinking is an example of invocation. Whatever we think, its picture flashes before our eyes. If we are thinking of our family members, their faces come before our eyes. Similarly, if we think about our house then its picture comes in our mind; this is contemplation. This series of invocation and contemplation always continue. That is why our attachment and love with worldly relations and things become stronger. In short, this relation and attachment is the result of our invocation and contemplation of these things. The more we contemplate anything the stronger our relation becomes with it.
What is the power of invocation and contemplation of Ism e Azam?
Mystics and Saints divert this worldly invocation and contemplation towards Allah in order to build strong relation with Him. Diamonds cut diamonds and water itself replenishes water-logged land. Similarly, it is the invocation that overcomes invocation and contemplation that overcomes contemplation. Only one needs to divert the direction. By frequently invoking and contemplating Ism e Azam rather than transitory worldly relations and objects, attachment with them weakens. Alternatively, the seeker’s bond with Allah starts strengthening and his love for Allah heightens. Eventually, he annihilates in Allah and then appears the entrusted Divine Essence from within.
Teachings of Sultan Bahoo about contemplation
Sultan ul Faqr Sultan Bahoo explains the effects of contemplation of Ism Allah Zaat
on the esoteric self of a seeker. He says:
- By the exercise of contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat, the soul enlivens. Just as the blessing of rain revitalizes dried out land and plants and earth starts producing plants. By frequent practice of contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat, every cell of the body of seeker starts reciting name of Allah. Moreover, contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat becomes the safest refuge for him from evilness of Satan and his followers forever. The contemplator of Ism e Allah Zaat also grants salvation from hell fire. Infact, his grave is a place of seclusion for him just like a bride’s room. (Shams-ul-Arifeen)
- By contemplating of Ism e Allah Zat, light of theophanies radiate in seeker’s inward which envelop his entire existence. Thus, the man of contemplation is exalted to the Divine vision. (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
- Whoever purifies his innerself (from worldly lusts) by mystic knowledge and efficacy of contemplation of Ism e Azam, gets absolved of all undesirable characteristics. Resultantly, his inward enlivens and gains logical answers and inspirational messages from the Divine presence and Divine closeness. There remain no sensual desires in the innerself of seeker who becomes purged by efficacy of contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat. (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
The breath which comes out with contemplation of Ism e Allah Zaat immediately converts into a special form of Divine light. It ultimately reaches the court of Allah as a priceless pearl. (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
Read more about the effects of Ism e Azam.