In Section 90 of his Subhat al-Abrar (part of the Haft Awrang), Jami explores the orthographic and mystical symbolism of the letter Alif (ا) within the Basmalah (specifically its omission or elision in the written form of 'بسم الله').

Key Symbolism & Metaphors:

• The Hidden Alif and Divine Unity: Alif, being the first letter, represents the primordial, unmanifest Divine Unity (Ahadiyyah / Tawhid) that existed before creation. Just as the written letter Alif is omitted/hidden in the contraction 'بسم' (Bism) while being phonetically present, the absolute Divine Unity becomes hidden (mukhtafi) behind the veil of multiplicity (kathrah) in the created world, resembling how the soul is hidden within the physical body.
• The Veil of Multiplicity: Before the creation of the world, the secret of Divine Unity was fully manifest and clear. However, with the emergence of multiplicity (symbolized by the letter Bā' and subsequent letters), this unity became con...