Note 262 — Chapter XII

جمع and فرق are terms used in a particular sense by the Sufis. In the state of jamá, “union,” the mystic sees but God and his unity; in the state of ferk, “division,” man enters again into the natural state, and occupies himself with good works and the fulfilment of precepts. He does even what is not prescribed conformably with this passage of the Koran (chap. XVII. v. 81): “Watch some part of the night in the same exercise (praying), as a work of supererogation for thee; peradventure thy Lord will raise thee to an honorable station.” These two states (union and division) are necessary to the mystic. The following passage of the Koran is quoted as an authority for this doctrine: God testifies that there is no God but him; this is “union;” and the angels testify the same, as well as the men who possess the science; this is “division.”