(Sharr). In itself evil is pure non-existence and denotes those things which cannot receive and accept the Divine Mercy. Knowledge is light and light is existence, therefore evil is ignorance which is darkness and non-existence. Allah, as All-Possib...
(Shath). An ecstatic utterance is spoken while the ecstatic is in a state of spiritual intoxication. To the outsider his utterance may appear to contradict the Sacred Law, to be pretentious, thoughtless and even verging on associating partners with A...
(Shawq). Intense longing and yearning for the Beloved. Shawq is a yearning to behold the Beloved, and a longing for nearness to the Beloved, and a longing for union with the Beloved, and an intense longing for increase in perpetual longing. It is sai...
(Shay). Thing or the 'possible thing' or the entity. Shay can indicate the existent 'thing' or the non-existent 'thing'. The word 'thing' (shay), being 'one of the most indefinites of the indefinites' can be applied to anything whatsoever except Alla...
(Shay-iyya). This is the the situation of the entities.
(Al shay al thalith). The First Thing is 'That Which Exists In Itself' (Necessary Being), the second is 'that which exists through the other' (everything other-than-Allah), and the third is 'that which is neither existent nor nonexistent'. The Third...
The Spiritual Master. He is the authentic guide and the only one to whom a seeker of Truth should turn in his quest. In turning to the Spiritual Master the seeker is turning to Allah Almighty.
(Shaytan). Satan represents the base faculties. He is lurking within the lower self and constantly trying to pull man downwards, away from the Divine. The Greater Holy War is waged against all lower tendencies.
(Shifa'). The divine physician dispenses the correct dosage of medicine to bring his patients (murids) to a state of spiritual equilibrium and restore their harmonious constitution. This is the True Healing.
(Shirk). To associate or join a partner (another reality) with Allah. Shirk is the one unforgivable sin. It is in opposition to the very basis of Islam which is Unity (tawhid).
(Shirk Khafi). The great idol of all worship is the 'I-ness' or 'existence' of the worshipper. Until his existence is annihilated in That Which Truly Exists, Allah, he will be guilty of Hidden Association.
(Shuu'ayb). The Prophet Jethro (Peace be upon him) through whose Word descended the Wisdom of the Heart (al-hikmat al-qalbiyyah).
(Shuhud). The knowers and lovers of Allah, the great Sufis, know Allah through their witnessing of Allah in all of His Self-disclosures. Allah possesses All-inclusive Being and the great Sufis possess all-inclusive witnessing of Allah. And because Se...
(Shukr). Gratitude or thankfulness. The station of gratitude indicates an all-pervading awareness of the immensity of Allah's Grace upon His slave. The man who combines gratitude with patience is the man of wisdom.
(Shurb) is the second stage in each station. The first is tasting (dhawq) and the third is quenching (ri). These three stages are experienced in each station before the salik travels onwards to the next station. The lover who drinks the Pure Wine of ...
