and he does not deserve it. A creature’s compulsion of a creature is only through beneficence. That is the compulsion praised by both the Revealed Law and reason. Every servant who manifests domination in the world without the Real’s attribute and command is ignorant in the utmost degree.
(Majesty and Isthmic Reality)
This Presence of compelling power has two rulings, or two faces—say whichever you wish. One face is majesty: this is the view of Abu Talib al-Makki and others who share his view. The other face is isthmic reality. As an isthmus, this station combines the two sides. It knows itself and, through its two sides, knows that through which it is an isthmus between two things. In this respect it is encompassing and lofty in station.
Its superiority over the two sides is evident, for each side knows only the face of it adjoining that side. It is knowing—I mean compelling power. If it wishes, it discloses itself in an isthmic form; if it wishes, it discloses itself in the form of either of its two sides. It discloses itself however it wishes, and thus its resemblance to the Real is more complete.
The relation of this compelling power to the Real is subtle and is not perceived by many people: the Real is between creation and His Essence, which is described as independent of the worlds. Divinity is within isthmic compelling power. It faces creation through its own essence, and faces the Essence through its own essence. That is why it has self-disclosure in the many forms, transformation within them, and alteration.
It has a face toward creation through which He discloses Himself
Notes
Translator’s note: The unvocalized ʿālim, read here as “knowing,” also permits ʿālam, “a world.”
