A018
Surah: 083 - Ayah: 018
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83:18
Wisdom of Illiyyin: Illiyyin is plural of Illiyy. This is the name of the highest rank of Paradise. But since everything of Paradise has intellect and soul, therefore, by it is meant the light of the Prophets and Imams. This light is the compendium of lights as well as the single light. In the personal world the place of this light is the forehead. This light contains the record of deeds of the righteous, which in this world can only be seen by the muqarrabin (the close ones) (83:18-21).
A Wisdom-filled Question: What is the secret in the above-mentioned verse that attention is drawn to the muqarrabin when all those favours and bounties which have been mentioned in the above, will also be available to other mumins after physical death? Answer: The allusion in this verse is that it is the muqarrabin who alone experience the bounties mentioned in this verse, partially in this life and completely in Paradise, as alluded to in verses (83:18-21) and that it is the muqarrabin who can see the record of deeds even before the physical death. By this is meant the observation of spirituality (ruhaniyyat) and intellectuality (aqlaniyyat).
Illiyyin, Illiyyun: Among the great secrets of the Wise Qur’an is that God named the Universal Intellect, the Universal Soul, Natiq and Asas, Illiyyin and Illiyyun and placed them at the height of the higher world. They are the four supreme angels who, due to their being in the world of unity, are in one. This is not the only miracle, fore they together are also one living Book in which the record of deeds of the righteous speaks. God in His infinite mercy has made it possible for the closest ones to see its marvels and wonders (83:18-21). The wisdom-filled allusion of the verses referred to here is that those mu’mins who duly annihilate themselves in this life are not only able to see their record of deeds in the Written Book (Kitabun marqum, 83:20) but also to find their Higher I (ana’-yi ulwi) in the unity and integrity of this Speaking Book.
Kitab (Record of deeds)
In verses (83:18-21), it is mentioned: "Nay, the record of the righteous is in cIlliyyin. What makes you know what cIlliyyin is? It is a written Book which can be seen only by those who are near to God." cIlliyyin is the name of a luminous subtle personality. You can call it an angel. It is one as well as many. It is the Book as well as the record of deeds of the righteous. It can be observed in this world only by those who are close to God.
Q49 It is mentioned in verses (83:18-21): “Nay, the book of the righteous is in cIlliyyun; and what makes you know what is cIlliyyun? A (living) book inscribed, which the close ones (to God) see.” This translation (God willing) is in the illumination of the light of recognition. Now tell us who are cIlliyyun? Are they the Universal Intellect, the Universal Soul, the natiq and the asas? Are they all the Prophets and awliya’ (Imams)? Are they the (living) inscribed book? Is the book of deeds of the righteous in this living book? It is the truly amazing mercy of God that He has ranked the book of deeds of the righteous as the Universal Intellect, the Universal Soul, the natiq and the asas. Is it the meaning of these verses?
A49 Since cIlliyyun is an inscribed (living) book, therefore it is the Imam-i mubin in which everything is encompassed. It is the Universal Intellect, the Universal Soul, the natiq and the asas; it is all the Prophets and awliya’ and the book of deeds of the righteous. It is indeed a highly amazing mercy of God that He has ranked the book of deeds of the righteous as the Universal Intellect, the Universal Soul, the natiq and the asas.
Study verses (83:18-21): "Nay, but the record of the righteous is in the elevated angels. And what do you know what the elevated angels are? They are a written book, which can be seen by the chosen ones (even in this world)." The record of deeds of the righteous is in the form of elevated angels, which although it cannot be seen by all the righteous people in the spirituality of this world, is seen by the closest ones, who are the people of recognition, who see this wonderful record of deeds with their inner eye. These great angels who, as the honourable scribes are eventually in the Sacred Sanctuary, are many, but at the level of oneness they all become one. Thus, there is only one angel there.
Study verses (83:18-28) and you must check the exoteric exegesis as well.
Ta’wili purport: Here by cilliyyun or cilliyyin is meant the paradise of the rank of al-caliyyu’l-cazim and the manifestation and revelations of its light, known as the sacred Sanctuary. This is also called the heaven, the throne and the paradise of Adam. In short, there are many names of this rank in the Qur’an, but in a veil. Here the record of deeds of the righteous is in the Imam of the time, so that tomorrow in paradise the true mu’minin (male and female) will be extremely happy to see that in every good deed the holy Mawla was with them.
On the day of resurrection many people will be deprived of the holy didar of their Lord (83:15).
This verse has been referred 14 times.