al-Bāṭin

The Hidden, nearer than anything

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 57:3.

Start with what we know

Then take away everything it needs. What is left is not a bigger version of us. It is the Name.

Episode 1

We cannot see most of what is near us (air, bacteria, fields).

But: —

Episode 2

Pit vipers sense infrared.

Episode 3

Planck: ordinary matter 4.9%, dark matter 26.8%; NASA: dark energy 68%, 'scientists know even less about it'.

But: We infer, not see.

Episode 4

Take away hiddenness as distance.

95% of the universe is something we cannot see. He is the Manifest and the Hidden (57:3).

Read: 57:3; Muslim 2713a 'Thou art Innermost and there is nothing beyond Thee'.

From the tradition: Isaiah 45:15 'a God who hides in concealment'.

On screen

—

In scripture: Q 57:3; 50:16; Isa (peace be upon him) 45:15.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Isa (peace be upon him) 45:15. Moderate.
In the universe: Dark matter/dark energy (ESA/NASA).
In nature: —
In people: —
In science: Dark matter evidence from galaxy rotation.

Living it

Humility before the unseen.

Its kind

Capacity: a quality we know a little of: hearing, knowing, seeing.

In the Qur'an: 57:3

Films, documentaries and voices that reach towards this Name. Each links out to where you can watch it.

Sources for this page