ʿĀlam

ʿĀlam (عالم‎)

Definition

ʿĀlam (عالم‎) is a multifaceted term in Islamic thought that fundamentally means “the universe” or “world.” It encompasses various states of existence, both seen and unseen, temporal and eternal, material and spiritual. The term is richly employed across different fields within Islamic studies, from theology to philosophy to mysticism.

Etymology

The term ʿĀlam (عالم‎) originates from the Arabic root “A-L-M” (علم), which broadly means “to know.” This etymology indicates the connection of the term with knowledge and understanding of different realms of existence.

Translations:

• Arabic: عالم (ʿĀlam‎)
• Turkish: Alem

Categories of ʿĀlam

1. ʿĀlamu ʾl-arwāḥ (عالم الأرواح): The World of Spirits.
2. ʿĀlamu ʾl-khalq (عالم الخلق): The Material World or This Life.
3. ʿĀlamu ʾl-bāqī (عالم الباقي): The Future State or Afterlife.
4. ʿĀlamu ʾl-aʿz̤amah (عالم العظمة): The Highest Heaven.
5. ʿĀlamu ʾsh-shahādah (عالم الشهادة): The Visible World.
6. ʿĀlamu ʾl-ghaib (عالم الغيب): The Invisible World.
7. ʿĀlamu ʾl-maʿqūl (عالم المعقول): The Rational World.

The Four Mystic Stages in Sufism

Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, further elaborates on the concept of ʿĀlam in its teachings, often referring to various stages of spiritual realization:

1. ʿĀlamu ʾn-nāsūt (عالم الناسوت): The Present World.
2. ʿĀlamu ʾl-malakūt (عالم الملكوت): The World of Angels.
3. ʿĀlamu ʾl-jabarūt (عالم الجبروت): The World of Power.
4. ʿĀlamu ʾl-lāhūt (عالم اللاهوت): The State of Divinity or Absorption into the Divine.

Significance

The term ʿĀlam carries with it profound theological, philosophical, and spiritual implications. It serves as a foundational concept in understanding the multilayered nature of existence as described in Islamic thought:

• Theological: Contrasts between this world (ʿĀlamu ʾl-khalq) and the next (ʿĀlamu ʾl-bāqī) highlight the transient versus the eternal.
• Philosophical: The categorization into visible (ʿĀlamu ʾsh-shahādah) and invisible (ʿĀlamu ʾl-ghaib) informs the Islamic metaphysical outlook.
• Mystical: Sufi interpretations revolve around the soul’s journey through different spiritual states, moving towards ultimate unity with the Divine (ʿĀlamu ʾl-lāhūt).

Books for Further Studies

1. “Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam” by William C. Chittick
2. “The Vision of Islam” by Sachiko Murata and William C. Chittick
3. “Islamic Philosophy, Science, Culture, and Religion: Studies in Honor of Dimitri Gutas” edited by Felicitas Opwis and David Reisman

Takeaways

• ʿĀlam (عالم‎) refers to the universe or world in its broadest sense within Islamic thought.
• Different categories and realms exist under the term, from the material to the spiritual/world to the invisible.
• In Sufism, ʿĀlam denotes stages of spiritual progress culminating in divine unity.
• Understanding ʿĀlam enriches one’s comprehension of Islamic perspectives on existence, knowledge, and spirituality.

Conclusion

The concept of ʿĀlam in Islam is not merely confined to the physical world but extends to various unseen realms that encompass the full spectrum of creation and existence. Its multifaceted nature showcases the rich spiritual and intellectual heritage of Islamic thought, offering profound insights into the nature of life, reality, and beyond.