kayfiyyat

Kayfiyyat is an Arabic term that translates to "howness" or "quality" and is primarily used in Islamic philosophy and theology to refer to the nature or essence of something. It describes the intrinsic properties and characteristics that define an entity. In the context of God, kayfiyyat often refers to the divine attributes, but it is generally understood that the true nature or "howness" of God is beyond human comprehension.

The concept is particularly relevant when discussing the nature of divine attributes like knowledge, power, or mercy. While we can understand the meaning of these attributes, their ultimate kayfiyyat, or how they truly exist within God, is considered unknowable. This distinction between the knowability of an attribute's meaning and the unknowability of its essence is a crucial aspect of theological discourse.

Furthermore, kayfiyyat can also be applied to created beings, referring to their specific qualities and modes of existence. However, the primary philosophical and theological discussions revolve around its application to the divine. The term emphasizes the qualitative aspect of being, distinguishing it from mere existence or quantity. It is a concept that encourages humility in understanding the ultimate reality and the divine.