SIR MAZHAR

[swamidada]

During question/answer session, Sir Mazhar was asked," What is the significance of ع (Ayn)and غ (Ghayn)in sufism and Ginanic literature"?

Sir said, one explanation is that Ayn ع represents Ali and Ghayn غ stands for 'Ghayr' those who have no faith in Ali.

Ayn: Vision, Source, Knowledge, Essence.

Ghayn: Mystery, Veil, Manifestation, Distinction.

In Sufism, the Arabic letters 'Ayn (ع) and Ghayn (غ) are significant not only as phonetic characters but as essential symbols in ‘ilm ul huruf' (the science of letters), representing profound cosmological, spiritual, and mystical realities. They are often interpreted in the context of divine attributes and the journey of the soul.

The relationship between the two letters Ayn (ع) and Ghayn (غ) is often interpreted through the single dot (Nuqta) above the Ghayn. This dot acts as a "veil" or a "separation" between the known/witnessed (Ayn) and the hidden/mysterious (Ghayn).

The Nuqta assumes a powerful symbolic status in Islamic Sufism and Shia philosophy. A celebrated statement attributed to Mowla Ali, central to Shia theology, is often quoted in this context. “All that is in the Quran is in the Fatiha, all that is in the Fatiha is in the Bismillah, all that is in the Bismillah is in the letter ba ( ب), and I am the dot beneath the Ba. "I am the Point (al-Nuqta) beneath the letter B".
If a person understand and attain this spiritual Nuqta will see Noor e Ali with Ayn (eye) of his soul.

EEK NUQTA MA'RIFAT KERA
MURSHID JIS KU BATLAWEY
SO WASIL HOWEY ZAAT E HAQQ MEIN
ASAL APNI KU PAAWEY
Kalam e Mowla

Sir quoted a couplet from Bhuj Nirinjin;

JUB TAWHID ILAHI AAWAY
TUBB AYN GHAYN UUTH KAR JAAWAY

When Tawhid is attained, the separation between Ayn and Ghain disappears.
(Hum tum donu saiyan eek hain)

Sir gave example of Baba Bhulley Shah;

Aina Te Gainaa nuu main samajh na jaana,
Gal Alaf samjhaai

Bulleyaa Kaul Alaf De Purey,
Jehrey Dil Di Karan Safaaii

I don't understand Ayn and Ghayn that is 'mon wa tu', 'you and I', it is Alif that means Allah. Bhulla says, Alif's qoul (promise) is right through which inner self is cleaned.

In Sufi poetry, Ayn and Ghayn serve as a bridge between the unseen world and the visible world, with Ayn representing the hidden, inner reality, and Ghayn representing the externalization or "wrapping" of that reality

Ayn (ع) is the Source of Knowledge and Vision. Ayn literally means "eye." In Sufi symbolism, it represents the "eye of the heart" or divine vision (basirah), allowing the mystic to perceive spiritual truths.
Ayn is considered the origin of the intellect ('aql), symbolizing the inward knowledge or gnostic understanding (ma'rifah).
Many key Sufi terms starting with Ayn highlight its importance: 'Ilm (Knowledge), 'Ishq (Divine Love), 'Abd (Servant), and 'Arsh (Throne of Allah).

While 'Ayn signifies vision, Ghayn its variant with a dot often represents "total mystery" (ghayb) and that which is hidden, covering, or veiled from human comprehension.
Where as Ghayn is used in terms indicating change, such as ghayyara (alter), representing the transformative journey of the soul, which involves passing through various states of concealment and revelation, and represents a deeper, more subtle layer of divine, esoteric knowledge.