All Sufi Symbols, All Sufi Symbol, All Sufism Symbols, All Sufi
Signs, All Sufi Sign
(page 1)
Alif :: Ba :: Ta :: Tha :: Jim :: Ha :: Kha :: Dal :: Dhal :: Ra :: Za
:: (page
1) (page 2)
Sin :: Shin :: Saad :: Daad :: Taa
SUFI SYMBOLS
Alif = a
The alif represents the number one and belongs to
the element of fire.
Because of its shape the alif resembles the numeral 1. It symbolizes the
selfness of God as well as His unity. Thus, this letter takes on the
archetypal value of the whole alphabet, which it begins and is thus also
identified with Adam, the father of humankind (and thus any diacritical
sign affirming this letter’s value is identified with Eve).
The three main positions of the Islamic prayer are:
· Standing, like the alif
· Kneeling, like the dal
· Prostrating, like the mim.
These three letters also make up the name Adm (Adam). According to the
Sufi Ibn Ata Allah Abbas (d. 1309): “this name (alif) is derived from
ulfa (good company), because it unites and agrees (ta’lif) with the
other letters”. For some, however, the alif represents Satan, because
like him it does not bow to God.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh writes about this letter that it “corresponds with
the obeying the recommendations, which is part of contraction”.
Ba = b
The letter ba represents the number two and belongs to the element of
air.
Just as the alif is the first vertical letter, ba is the first
horizontal letter and it is suitable for representing other letters such
as ta, tha and nun, according to the diacritical signs placed above or
below the stroke. It is the initial letter par excellence, because it
opens the basmala (In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful),
the formula with which all the suras of the Qur’an, except for the
ninth, begin. The Bible, incidentally, also begins with a B.
The diacritical sign placed below the stroke represents, for Sufis, the
origin, essence and being of all things, in strict analogy with the
bindu (.) of Tantrism and Yoga. For this reason some esoterically
inclined Muslims believe that the content of all revealed Scripture:
1. is found in the Qur’an
2. in turn that the content of the Qur’an is found all in the first sura,
the Fatiha
3. that all the content of the Fatiha resides in the basmala
4. and the whole content of the basmala is enclosed insides B’s
diacritical point.
This exegesis was accepted by, among others Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (seventh
century) and Abd al-Karim al-Jili (d. 1494) according to whom the B of
Bismi represents the resplendent beauty of God (Bahaa’), the S his
greatness (Sanaa’) and the L his sovereignty (Mamlaka).
According to shaykh ad-Dabbaagh the Ba corresponds to inner peace, which
is part of the message.
Ta = t
This letter represents number four hundred and belongs to the element of
air.
This letter has great esoteric value, especially for the Sufis, because
it is the first letter of the term tawhid, the science of professing God
and His singleness (wahda) and so it symbolizes monotheism, faith in the
oneness of God. It also symbolizes the state of ecstasy, the discovery
of and return to God (tawba). In this respect, the great Sufi martyr
Hosayn Mansur al-Hallaj (857-922) wrote a poem (Muhatta’at # 40 with a
mim rhyme and a wafer meter) wherein he traces the word tawhid through
enigmas: “Three letters without diacritical signs, two with signs and
this is the whole speech. The first designates those who find it and the
other serves for everyone to say ‘yes’. As to the other letters, it is
the mystery of the night, where it is no longer a question of travelling
or stopping”.
Explaining the above, we note that in Arabic the term tawhid is written
with two letters, each of which has two diacritical signs, the ta and
the ya, and three letters without signs: the waw, the ha and the dal.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh says about the ta that it corresponds to the
perfection of the apparent senses, being a part of the Adamic state.
Tha = th
In the science of the secrets of letters this letter represents number
five hundred and belongs to the element of water.
It is a symbol of consolidation (thobut).
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh writes that the tha corresponds to justice, which is
a part of contraction.
Jim = j
The fifth letter in the Arabic alphabet represents number three and
belongs to the element of water.
In the art of tajwid (reciting the Qur’an) it has the characteristics of
sonority, tonicity and softening and the antonymies of vibration,
lowering and opening.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘jim’ corresponds to patience,
which is a part of prophecy.
Ha = h
The sixth letter in the Arab alphabet represents number eight and
belongs to the element of earth.
This letter, which symbolizes human intuition, has an esoteric meaning
for the Sufis, as it is the first letter of the verb habba (to love):
“Inna Allah jameel yuhibbu al-jamaal”, which means “truly God is
beautiful and loves beauty”. Thus also the saying: “Habba man habba
wakariha man kariha” or “He loves whomsoever He chooses to and He hates
whomsoever He wishes to”. The letter ‘ha’ denotes the Essence in terms
of appearance, presence and existence.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘ha’ corresponds to perfect
mercy, which is a part of prophecy.
Kha = kh
According to the science of the secrets of letters the ‘kha’ represents
number six hundred and belongs to the element earth.
In the esoteric literature of the Sufi brotherhoods it symbolizes the
eternal good (khayr daa’im).
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘kha’ corresponds to the
experience (‘taste’) of lights, which is a part of the spirit.
Dal = d
In the science of the secrets of letters it represents number four and
belongs to the element of earth.
According to the Sufis and in the contemplations of the Hurufi it
symbolizes the equilibrium of all things created. Because of all this
and also because it is the initial letter of the verb daaba fi aaw ‘alaa
(to work; to labour; to be committed; to make an effort in something for
someone; to work with commitment, to do something with effort; to labour
unceasingly; to apply oneself; to dedicate oneself; to be constant; to
become accustomed to) in the esoterical world this letter represents the
earthly condition of human beings who are forced to labour in the realm
of material things, but must also evolve spiritually and strive to
behave in the best possible way among a multitude of challenges and
temptations.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘dal’ corresponds to purity,
which is a part of the spirit.
Dhal = dh
In the ‘elm al-horuf it represents number seven hundred. It belongs to
the element of fire.
In Sufi esoteric knowledge it symbolizes the heart of an idea, the
kernel of a thing.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘dhal’ corresponds to the
knowledge of languages, which is a part of science.
Ra = r
The tenth letter of the Arab alphabet represents number two hundred and
belongs to the element of earth.
It symbolizes a part, a message, the sura.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘ra’ corresponds to the noble
conquest of the self, which is a part of expansion.
Za = z
Za represents number seven and belongs to the element of water.
It symbolizes achievement. In esoteric alchemy it represents the process
of change, because it is the initial letter of the terms
- mercury (zaybaq)
- vitriol (zaaj)
- sulphuric acid (zayb, zaagin
‘Zaar’ is also the exorcism practiced by women.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘za’ corresponds to sincerity
with everyone, which is a part of the message.
Sin = s
In the science of the secrets of the letters it represents number sixty
and belongs to the element of water, though in North Africa it is
believed to belong to the element of fire.
It symbolizes the glory of God.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘sin’ corresponds to the act of
‘lowering the wing of tenderness with goodness’, which is a part of
expansion.
Shin = sh
In the science of the secrets of the letters it represents number three
hundred and belongs to the element of fire, while in North Africa it is
believed to belong to the element of earth.
The ‘shin’ or sh is the abrevation of sharia: path, way. In Sufi
esoteric knowledge this letter symbolizes personal destiny.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘shin’ corresponds to the
complete force in the introversion, which is a part of contraction.
Saad = s
The ‘saad’ is the fourteenth letter of the Arab alphabet. In the ‘ilm
al-horuf it represents number ninety and belongs to the element of
water.
It symbolizes sincerity and truth.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘saad’ corresponds to the perfect
reason, which is a part of the Adamic state.
Daad = d
‘Daad’ is the fifteenth letter of the Arab alphabet. It represents
number eight hundred and belongs to the element of air.
It symbolizes ‘to disclose’.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘daad’ corresponds to the act of
saying nothing but the truth, which is a part of prophecy.
Taa = t
‘Taa’ is the sixteenth letter of the Arab alphabet. It represents number
nine and belongs to the element of fire.
In the esoteric texts of the Sufi masters this letter, taken in
isolation, symbolizes divine holiness.
Shaykh ad-Dabbaagh informs us that the ‘taa’ corresponds to discernment,
which is a part of the spirit. (page
1) (page 2)