Question No. 3311 30 October 2023 Official answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat) verified Content level: Intermediate

What Does It Mean That “God Stands Between Us and His Own Vein”?

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Dear questioner, Master Ali Saei

Tracking code: #Q-3311

Peace be upon you, Master. Could you please explain what you meant by:

“God stands between us and His own vein”?

Subject category: Quran and Exegesis Theology and Creed آرشیو کهف سوال Academic Theology and creed Epistemological

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

The noble verse «و لقد خلقنا الإنسان و نعلم ما توسوس به نفسه و نحن أقرب إلیه من حبل الورید» tells us that God is closer to us than our jugular vein. “God stands between us and His own vein” means that God transcends life and all that exists. The sense of servitude that comes from Him is greater than life itself, and its sweetness cannot be compared with anything else.

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

Teacher and researcher in the intellectual tradition of wisdom and the Ahl al-Bayt | Soroush Bamdadān Cultural Center

In fact, this is an interpretation of the noble verse:

ق : 16 و لقد خلقنا الإنسان و نعلم ما توسوس به نفسه و نحن أقرب إلیه من حبل الورید

God Most High is closer to us than the jugular vein. The Near God is the link between us and our life-blood. Put another way, “الله الحی القیوم” is the link between us and our life; indeed, He is closer to us than life itself. That is, God transcends and surpasses life. A servant of God may cease to live, but cannot cease to be God’s servant. God is exalted above life and all that exists. Through God, we attain a feeling called servanthood, whose sweetness surpasses that of life and can be compared with no other taste.

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What Does It Mean That “God Stands Between Us and His Own Vein”?

The essence and first answer at a glance (60-word summary)

Answer by Master Ali Saei (Abdullah Meshkat)

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