In Sufism, “Joo” (the Ethereal Realm) is the collection of all existents that reflect the qualities of the Attributes of Allah, the Most High. It is called the Second Scripturum because it is a detailed expression of the First Scripturum, which is the Preserved Scripturum.
Loh-e-Mehfooz is the pictorial record of the commands and decisions of Allah regarding the creation of the universe. Every movement that will take place in the universe is inscribed on the Preserved Scripturum exactly as it is. Allah has given human beings the power of intention and choice. When the images created by human intentions join with the images of the Preserved Scripturum, the First Scripturum appears in the form of the Second Scripturum. Sufis call this combined realm Joo.
The Preserved Scripturum is the first allegorical realm, and Joo is the second allegorical realm, which includes human intentions as well.
Before moving forward, it is necessary to reflect on the definition of Allah given in the Holy Qur’an:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1–4
In this verse, five Attributes of Allah are mentioned. First, He is One and not many. Second, He is Independent and needs nothing. Third, He has not fathered any offspring. Fourth, He Himself has never been created or born. Fifth, there is no one like Him.
This is the definition of the Creator. Therefore, the description of creation must be understood in contrast to this description. If we explain the creatures without entering into the divine limits, we can say:
If the Creator is One, the creatures are many.
If the Creator is Independent, the creatures are dependent.
If the Creator has no source of birth, the creatures do have one.
If the Creator has no offspring, the creatures do.
If the Creator has no family, the creatures have families.