The Language of the Future
Sufi Terminology
by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

Order by: Arabic English

i

istishab
Unceasing companionship

(Istishab). The intensity of yearning and longing for the absent Beloved increases the bliss of meeting Allah. The traveller who has unceasing companionship with the Murshid runs the risk of falling into a familiarity which may lead to disrespect. ...

istislam
Islam - complete

(Istislam). Complete surrender. Actively going to meet the Divine Will in complete and utter compliance. Istislam is the stage of Real Islam.

ithar
Prefer

(Athar). To prefer, have greater regard and concern for others than for oneself. To give the choices of the brothers above your own self with regard to your spiritual plane of consciousness and with regard to your worldly existence. The concept of a...

ithbat
Affirmation

(Ithbat). Affirmation or confirmation of the slave's existence after his effacement in the Oneness of Allah. Ithbat may also indicate an affirmation after a negation, the supreme example of which is "There is no god other than Allah". Ithbat may indi...

i'tidal
Equilibrium

(I'tidal). Equilibrium and balance. Spiritual equilibrium is attained through assuming the noble character traits which were perfected in the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Under the direction of the Mursh...

itlaq
Nondelimitation

(Itlaq). Nondelimitation or Infinity.

ittihad
Unificationism

(Ittihad). 'Unificationism' or the 'coming together of two things'. Ittihad is considered to be an heretical doctrine in that it presupposes the existence of two independent beings, and this is in contradiction to the concept of Unity of Existence or...

'iyan
Face to face vision

('Iyan). This term suggests that there are still two faces to have vision of each other. The lover is not yet lost in the Beloved, absorbed by the camphor or drowned in the Ocean. He is still looking.

'izza
Inaccessibility

('Izza) indicates Allah as the "Lord of inaccessibility above what they describe" (The Qur'an 37:180). No laudation on the part of the creattions can attain to Allah.

Al Ihram
Putting on the white garments

(Al Ihram). At the beginning of the pilgrimage, one puts on the two pieces of unstitched cloth known as the ihram. This is a state of consecration and specifc restrictions apply to the pilgrim who is in the state of Ihram. Entering the state of ihra...

Isharah
Hints

Isharah - see 'Indication'.

Ijtihad
Striving

Ijtihad - see 'Effort and striving'.

Ikhtiyar
Spontaneity

Ikhtiyar - see 'Free choice'.

Ihram
Garment of the Pilgrim

(Ihram). Putting on of the white garments. Entering the state of ihram is an indication to not seeing the creation, but seeing the Creator. Wearing the unstitched cloth is an indication to the transformation of the negative qualities to the higher ...

Imtinaan
Gratitude

(Imtinaan). Gratitude or indebtedness – Comes under the Name Al Manaan (The Giver of all Good).