Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are philosophical and esoteric reflections based on spiritual exploration. They do not reflect any specific scriptural interpretations, religious doctrines, or established theological perspectives. Readers are encouraged to approach this content with an open mind and consult their own spiritual or religious authorities for guidance.
The search for Allah, the Divine, the Ultimate Truth, has captivated hearts and minds for centuries. People have looked for Him in sacred books, in the stars that light up the night sky, in rituals, and in the wisdom of sages. Yet, the quote, “You searched for Allah in books and stars, but He was hiding behind the veil of your self. Tear it, and find Him waiting, not in form, but in formlessness,” invites us to consider a profound truth: the Divine is not somewhere out there but within, hidden behind the layers of our own ego, identity, and self.
The Search in Books and Stars
For ages, humanity has sought the Divine in external places. Sacred texts, whether the Quran, the Bible, the Torah, or the Vedas, have been a guiding light for millions. These books offer wisdom, laws, and stories that point toward God. Scholars pore over their pages, memorizing verses, debating meanings, and seeking the essence of the Divine through words. Yet, words are only pointers. They are like maps, not the destination itself. A map can guide you to a city, but it is not the city. Similarly, sacred texts can guide you toward Allah, but they are not Allah Himself.
The stars, too, have been a canvas for divine contemplation. Ancient mystics gazed at the heavens, seeing in the constellations a reflection of cosmic order and divine majesty. Modern science, with its telescopes and space probes, continues this quest, searching for meaning in the vastness of the universe.
The stars inspire awe, reminding us of our smallness and the grandeur of creation. But even the stars, in all their beauty, are mere creations—not the Creator.
This external search is natural. It feels safe to look outside ourselves, to seek Allah in things we can see, touch, or read. Books and stars are tangible, measurable, and shared by others. But the quote suggests that this outward focus might be missing the mark. What if the true hiding place of Allah is not in these external things but within us, behind the veil of our own self?
The Veil of the Self
What is this “veil of the self”? The self, in this context, is not just your name, your body, or your personality. It is the collection of thoughts, desires, fears, and identities that you call “me.” It is the ego—the part of you that says, “I am this, I want that, I fear this, I am separate from others.” This ego creates a barrier, a veil, that keeps you from seeing the Divine who is closer to you than your own breath.
Think of the self as a dusty mirror. The mirror is meant to reflect the light of Allah, but the dust of ego—pride, anger, attachment, and ignorance—clouds the reflection. The more we cling to our sense of “I,” the harder it is to see beyond it.
The veil of the self is not a physical curtain but a mental and spiritual one, built from our attachment to who we think we are.
In many spiritual traditions, this veil is described as the root of separation. The Sufis, for example, speak of nafs, the lower self, which binds us to worldly desires and illusions. The Hindu tradition talks of maya, the illusion that makes us see ourselves as separate from the Divine. Whatever name it’s given, the veil of the self is what keeps us searching outside when the truth lies within.
Tearing the Veil
To tear the veil of the self is to let go of the ego, to release the need to define yourself as separate, special, or superior. It is a process of surrender, not to an external force, but to the truth that Allah is already present within you.
This is not an easy task. The ego clings tightly, like a child gripping a toy it doesn’t want to share. But the act of tearing the veil is not about destruction; it’s about liberation.
How do we tear this veil?
The first step is self-awareness. You must begin to notice the ways your ego operates. Pay attention to your thoughts. When you feel pride, anger, or fear, ask yourself, “Who is feeling this? Who is this ‘I’ that is so upset?” By questioning the self, you start to see it as a construct, not a permanent truth. Meditation, prayer, and contemplation can help. In silence, you create space to see beyond the chatter of the ego.
The second step is humility.
The ego loves to be in control, to feel important. Humility doesn’t mean thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. It’s recognizing that you are not the center of the universe but a part of it, connected to all things through the Divine. When you serve others selflessly, when you let go of the need to be right or admired, the veil begins to thin.
The third step is surrender. This is not giving up but giving over—handing your ego to Allah. In the Quran, it is said, “And whoever submits his face to Allah while he is a doer of good—then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold” (31:22).
Surrendering the self means trusting that Allah is enough, that you don’t need to cling to your identity to find meaning. It’s letting go of the illusion of control and allowing the Divine to flow through you.
Finding Allah in Formlessness
When the veil of the self begins to tear, what do you find? The quote says Allah is waiting, “not in form, but in formlessness.” This is a profound and esoteric idea. Allah, in many spiritual traditions, is beyond form. He is not a person, a place, or a thing. He is not confined to a body, a book, or a star. He is the essence of existence, the source of all being, infinite and formless.
This formlessness can be hard to grasp because our minds love forms. We want to picture God as a king on a throne, a light in the sky, or a voice in our hearts. But these are still forms, still limitations. Allah, in His essence, is beyond all that. The Quran says, “There is nothing like unto Him” (42:11). To find Allah in formlessness is to encounter the Divine as pure presence, pure being, without shape or boundary.
This experience is often described by mystics as a state of oneness. When the veil of the self falls away, you realize that you are not separate from Allah. You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the ocean itself. This doesn’t mean you become God—rather, you recognize that the Divine was always within you, sustaining you, flowing through you.
The Sufi poet Rumi said, “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.” This is the formless truth of Allah’s presence.
The Journey Within
The journey to tear the veil and find Allah in formlessness is deeply personal. It’s not about rejecting books, stars, or rituals. These are beautiful tools that can point you toward the Divine. But they are not the end of the journey. The end is within you, behind the veil of your self.
This journey requires courage. Letting go of the ego feels like losing yourself, and it can be scary. But what you lose is only an illusion, a false self that was never truly you. What you gain is the infinite, the eternal, the formless presence of Allah.
As the Quran says, “And to Allah belongs the east and the west. So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah” (2:115). That Face is not a physical face but the essence of the Divine, present everywhere, including within you.
Practical Steps to Begin
If this idea resonates with you, here are some simple ways to start tearing the veil of the self:
Practice Silence: Spend a few minutes each day in silence, whether through meditation or quiet prayer.
Let your thoughts settle and listen for the stillness beneath them. That stillness is where Allah’s formless presence begins to shine.
Reflect on Your Ego: When you feel strong emotions like pride, anger, or fear, pause and ask, “Who is this ‘I’ that feels this way?” This simple question can help you see the ego as separate from your true self.
Serve Others: Acts of kindness and service, done without expecting reward, weaken the ego’s grip. Volunteer, help a neighbor, or simply listen to someone without judgment.
Read with an Open Heart: Sacred texts are powerful, but don’t get lost in the words. Read them with the intention of feeling Allah’s presence, not just understanding concepts.
Seek Guidance: Find a teacher, mentor, or community that resonates with your spiritual path. They can offer support and wisdom as you navigate this journey.
Conclusion
The quote, “You searched for Allah in books and stars, but He was hiding behind the veil of your self. Tear it, and find Him waiting, not in form, but in formlessness,” is a call to look within. It reminds us that the Divine is not far away, not locked in a book or twinkling in the sky. Allah is closer than we can imagine, hidden only by the veil of our own ego.
By tearing that veil—through awareness, humility, and surrender—we discover the formless presence of the Divine, waiting patiently within us.
This journey is not about rejecting the external world but about transcending it. Books, stars, and rituals are gifts that guide us, but the true treasure lies beyond the veil. So, take a deep breath, turn inward, and begin the work of tearing the veil.
Allah is waiting—not as a form you can grasp, but as the formless essence of all that is.