Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What is the meaning of an opening (fath)? Is it something that happens instantly or gradually?
An opening has different degrees and different meanings. When the people of tasawwuf talk about it, they mean by it an unveiling which allows the person who receives it to witness the spiritual and angelic realm having previously being restricted to witnessing the physical realm. He is thus raised from the state of certainty based upon knowledge (`ilm al-yaqin) to the state of certainty based upon witnessing (`ayn al-yaqin). Continue reading On the Meaning of a Spiritual Opening (fath) and Different Types of Shuyukh
