علم الزمن والوقت
I already took note about whoever practices thought or writes deeply about “time” always involve the use of metaphor as a method, in addition to perceptual images and representations, like Ibn Sina, Ibn Arabi. For the late thinkers, we would mention what Malek Bennabi wrote in his book “Conditions of Renaissance” along with “timeline”, and before him Muhammad Iqbal in his book “The Reconstruction of Religious Thought” in the chapter entitled “The Concept of Divinity and the Meaning of Prayer” and so on and so forth.
When I read what confirms this observation in a book translated two years ago, written by the Japanese researcher Toshihiko Izutsu entitled “The Concept and Reality of Existence”, under this title there is “a study of the fundamental structure of the metaphysical thinking in Islam”, as part of the analysis of the philosophy of existence for Ibn Arabi, Mulla Ṣadra says “I would like to point out that the Muslim Philosophers who tend to use representations and analogy in metaphysics, especially for explaining the contradictory link between scarcity and abundance, absolute truth and apparent things … the use of this tool should not be understood as just a metaphor, but clearly defines the cognitive function in a clear way” (adapted).
Then decides that “metaphor is a higher level in metaphysics, which is a discovery made by Muslims, and it is way of thinking and an approach to perception”. If he paid attention and made deep analysis, he would realize that this approach has its origins from the Almighty Allah’s book and Sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon him.
In an effort to apply this wonderful method and following this original approach, I would like to indicate the story of the honorable companion Salman the Persian (Roozbeh) May Allah be pleased with him in his eternal trip from deification of fire to choosing to be beside the Prophet peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, who he said: “Who can be like Luqman the wise, who took the first knowledge (religion) and life knowledge, he read the first book (book of God) and the book of knowledge, he was indeed a man of wide knowledge”.
“Bishop John the Harmony walked several steps in his hermitage in Damascus and started reflection in the distance, then looked from the window that overlooks the harsh terrain, then murmured expressively: it has been my preoccupation for about sixty years to realize the meeting point between time and non-time, the dark life moment with the wonderful moment of sunshine. There are two systems: a natural system called the world and a divine system called eternal system. The two systems intersect at the moment of wonderful sunshine, therefore, Sufist contemplators, missionary Prophets, ascetic worshipers and others are aware of the time and eternity. The Almighty Allah granted His Prophets with the favor of moving eternally and the ascending into heaven to carry the message to people and to those who fail to comprehend the divinity behind this world and its hidden manifestations in it. For the emergence of a new Prophet who would be born and raised in the deserts, it has been indicated in our book that his name is Ahmed, I believe he will come soon, so go to your hermitage and wait for what comes with the unseen … the whole universe and everything is kneeling waiting for the birth of a new Prophet who brings the news of heaven and promises the meeting between time and non-time has come soon” (the eternal call).
From this perspective, we understand the Almighty Allah’s description of His Messenger in the beginning of An-Najm chapter “By the Star when it goes down, Your Companion is neither astray nor being misled, Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) Desire, It is no less than inspiration sent down to him, He was taught by one Mighty in Power”.
Therefore, we understand the words of the Apostle peace be upon him in his famous sermon during the final pilgrimage: “Time has completed a cycle and assumed the form of the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year contains twelve months of which four are sacred …” (Hadith agreed upon).
Written by: Dr. Mohamed Babaami
Translated by: Toufik Achour
Date: 05/01/2023
The Article title in Arabic: الزمن مجازا: بحثا عن نقطة تلاقي الزمان باللازمان
