SACRED SPACE

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Sacred Anecdote- Mullah Naseeruddin- Significance would be discussed later when we are ready to understand the subtle point. Sacred is not aesthetic nor is it psychological. It is beyond both, it is spiritual. Earth Aesthetic

Earths atmosphere Psychological Outer Space Empty of matter but full of Light

Perspective Conventional Modern Traditional Exoteric Rationalistic Esoteric

What is the difference between Conventional, Rational and Traditional Approach Conventional is limited and restricted not wrong. Primarily focus on ritual action and social and ethical behavior and interaction.

Modern is excessively socio-political and psychological, does not reach the metaphysical and Hikmat level, It yearn for a scientific expiations and reduces spiritual to logical and physical with fantastic science. It actually denies the spiritual Traditional Sufi Rumi and Attar, Ibn Arabi and Ghazali.

Etymology of the word SACRED

Holiness, or sanctity, is in general the state of being holy (perceived by religious individuals as associated with the divine) or sacred (considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspiring awe or reverence among believers in a given set of spiritual ideas). In other contexts, objects are often considered 'holy' or 'sacred' if used for spiritual purposes, such as the worship or service of gods. These terms can also be used in a non-spiritual or semi-spiritual context ("sacred truths" in a constitution). It is often ascribed to people ("a holy man" of religious occupation, "holy prophet" who is venerated by his followers), objects ("sacred artifact" that is venerated and blessed), times ("holy days" of spiritual introspection, such as during winter holidays), or places ("sacred ground", "holy place"). The word "sacred" descends from the Latin sacrum, which referred to the gods or anything in their power, and to sacerdos, priest; sanctum, set apart. It was generally conceived spatially, as referring to the area around a temple. The English word "holy" dates back to at least the 11th Century with the Old English word hlig, an adjective derived from hl meaning "whole" and used to mean "uninjured, sound, healthy, entire, complete". The Scottish hale ("health, happiness and wholeness") is the most complete modern form of this Old

English root. The modern word "health" is also derived from the Old English hal. As "wholeness", holiness may be taken to indicate a state of religious completeness or perfection. The word "holy" in its modern form appears in Wyclif's Bible of 1382. In non-specialist contexts, the term "holy" is used in a more general way, to refer to someone or something that is associated with a divine power, such as water used for baptism. Sacrifice sacred-ly, sacred-ness; and see sacra-ment, sacri-fice, sacri-lege, sacrist-an, sext-on; sacer-dotal; con-secrate, de-secrate, ex-ecrate, ob-secrate. Consecrate, bind, restrict, enclose, protect, to make holy, words for both 'oath' & 'curse' words for both 'oath' & 'curse' Although this word is not found in the King James Version, it has been used in some instances in the more recent English versions (e.g. Moffatt's Translation, NIV, GNB, NASB) to translate the Hebrew qodesh and the Greek hagios. In the literature and preaching of the churches, however, it is frequently used, as well as in the word "sacrament".

The Arabic equivalent for Sacred

Among the names of God in Quran is ( Al Qoddous) 59:23 and 62:1, the closest English translation of the word 'sacred'. As God alone is considered to be the ultimate source of all true purification and guidance in Islam, all Holiness is His alone too

62:1 whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of Allah, - the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

2:30 Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?- whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."

016.102 Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.

005.021"O my people! Enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you, and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin."

Bait ul Moqaddas Bait ul Qouds Bait ul Allah

The Arabic word bait means space.

Allah is the word of greatest Baraka

Blessed be the name of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour. Quran55.78 Three words in the Quran associated with the concept of Sacred

- -- -- --
017.001 Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things)

024.035 Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! Allah doth guide whom He will to His Light: Allah doth set forth Parables for men: and Allah doth know all things.

024.036 (Lit is such a Light) in houses, which Allah hath permitted to be raised to honour; for the celebration, in them, of His name: In them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings, (again and again)

Sacred space is thus the act of a Sacred Man

002.127 And remember Abraham and Isma'il raised the foundations of the House (With this prayer): "Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us: For Thou art the AllHearing, the All-knowing.

002.125 Remember We made the House a place of assembly for men and a place of safety; and take ye the station of Abraham as a place of prayer; and We covenanted with Abraham and Isma'il, that they should sanctify My House for those who compass it round, or use it as a retreat, or bow, or prostrate themselves (therein in prayer).

Three levels of Divine Presence

036.033 A Sign for them is the earth that is dead: We do give it life, and produce grain therefrom, of which ye do eat.

036.034 And We produce therein orchard with date-palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth therein: Everything is sacred because everything that exists is creation of Allah. Life is a great

Dead no life and no Spiritual Presence Life every day all levels Aesthetic and Psychological Spiritual source of life

Sacred Man is who knows and remembers and can when asked evoke the Beautiful Names of Allah

002.031 And He taught Adam the names of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell me the names of these if ye are right."


002.032 They said: "Glory to Thee, of knowledge We have none, save what Thou Hast taught us: In truth it is Thou Who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom."

002.033 He said: "O Adam! Tell them their names." When he had told them, Allah said: "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?"

002.034 And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.