12/05/2026
FAYDA: A BRIEF HISTORY OF TERMINOLOGY (Part 3)
| The differentiation of the meaning of fayd into components related to creation and those related to humanity, extending to the mystical path, is also found in ʿAbd al-Munʿim al-Hifnī’s dictionary of Sufi technical terms. He defines fayd as non-material emanations triggered by divine theophanies. These manifestations can have varying effects depending on their direction.
| They either cause emanations to flow towards existence (wujūd), transforming fuyūd into actual creations, or they manifest regarding the form (sūra) of creation, also known as the attributes of creatures. The first effect corresponds to the function of emanations in creation, beyond human perception. In the second effect, humans can participate directly under certain conditions.
The models presented appear similarly in Tijāniyya literature, stating God created the cosmos by “pouring out the emanation of existence.” Ahmad al-Tijānī holds that the spiritual cosmos consists of five realms. The highest realm, hadrat al-hāhūt, is inaccessible to human comprehension. The sphere of divine essence (dhāt), hadrat al-lāhūt, has a flow of fuyūd connecting it to other realms.
| Ahmad al-Tijānī occupies a special position as the Seal of the Saints and pole of the poles, acting as a channel for spiritual emanations. His followers can ascend directly to the Prophet and Creator through him.
