26 AN INTRODUCTION TO SUFI DOCTRINE

number of levels or degrees of existence. On the cont-
rary, these two truths are intimately connected one with
the other. This is clear as soon as the Divine Infinity
(al-Kamal) is envisaged “through” each of them—in as
much as the Infinite can be “‘envisaged.” Then—to
speak figuratively—the Infinite either ‘“‘comprises” or
“dilates” according to whether it is envisaged in its
principial determination, which is Unity, or in its cosmic
reflection, which is the inexhaustible and indefinite
nature of existence. This enables us to understand that
the Sufi doctrine of Unity (which is strictly analogous,
despite the difference in terminology, to the Hindu
Advaitic doctrine of “Non-Duality”’), has no connection
with a philosophical “monism”, as modern critics of
such Sufi jnanins as Ibn ‘Arabi or ‘Abd al-Karim al-Jili
try to pretend. Their opinion is the more astounding
since the doctrinal method of these masters consists in
bringing out extreme ontological contrasts and envisag-
ing the essential Unity not by rational reduction but
by an intuitive integration of paradox.!

6é

1. According to the expression of Sahl at-Tustari :

> S : ne knows God by
the Union of the contrary (qualities) which relate to Him.”’