ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books A Short Treatise on The Divine Invitation A Closer Look at the Meaning of Diyāfat Allāh Almighty Allāh is referred to in the verses of the Holy Qur’ān with different names. Sometimes He is introduced with ‘ Huwa ’ (He)[^1], sometimes with ‘ Allāh ’[^2], sometimes with ‘ Rabb ’[^3] and so on. All these names manifest a certain meaning, which if overlooked may hamper one from understanding the verse perfectly.

Authoritative exegetes of Qur’ān have alluded to this fine reality in their works[^4]. Likewise the (‘a), who represent the guardians of Qur’ān, and appreciate its kernel, also employ every Divine Name for the purpose of referring to a certain Attribute of Allāh (SwT).

For example, in the aforementioned prophetic tradition the Holy Prophet 7 said: ‘ I spend the night near my Lord ( ‘inda Rabbī ) … ’ Here the name ‘Lord’ ( Rabb ) is specifically employed and thus it refers to the aspect of God’s Lordship, an extension of which is to perfect and train the human beings. In addition, it also alludes to ‘his state of perfection’ in particular. The first person pronoun “ yā ” in Rabbī ( رَبِّيْ) alludes to this subtlety.

Therefore, the food and drink in the tradition must be in harmony with what would confer excellence to the Prophet (s). Obviously in his case we speak of higher excellence, for the path towards Absolute Excellence never ends. With regard to Diyāfat Allāh , the name ‘ Allāh ’ is employed. The name Allāh is an all-comprehensive Name of God which exemplifies all His Perfect Attributes. That is why it is also known as al-ism al-a‘zam (the Greatest Name).

Its origin is commonly known to be the transitive verb ‘ alaha ’ (he worshipped). Hence it signifies ‘The Worshipped One’ or ‘One Who is worthy of worship’. Consequently, the spiritual food in the month of Ramadān is one that makes us true worshippers of Almighty Allāh, those who exemplify all His Sublime Names ( al-Asmā’ al-Husnā ) in themselves.

In one of his sermons, Imām al-Khumaynī alludes to this subtlety saying: چه بگوييم در مقابل اين نعمت بزرگ الهی که ملتها را دعوت کرده است به ضيافه الله ضيافه الله با همه اسماء... “How can we express our gratitude in return for this great Divine Blessing, for the nations have been called to be the guests of Allāh with all His Names…[^5]” In other words, the Holy month of Ramadān is a month of becoming ‘Abdullāh (an obedient servant of Allāh (SwT)).