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

Order by: Arabic English

Spiritual courtesy of service
adab al-khidma

(Adab al khidma). Those who serve Allah must observe the refined etiquette which is due to their King. The spiritual courtesy of service permeates all aspects of their lives because each moment of their lives is service to Allah.

Spiritual courtesy of the Sacred Law
adab al-shari'a

(Adab al sharia'). This is the Divine courtesy which Allah has taught by revelation and inspiration. Through the spiritual courtesy of the sacred law He formed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) who then fo...

Spiritual courtesy of the Truth
adab al-haqq

(Adab al Haqq). This spiritual courtesy requires a knowledge of the hierarchy of existence, in which each and every existent has its own right or truth. The man who possesses 'spiritual courtesy of the Truth' understands 'The Real through Whom Creati...

Spiritual energy
barakah

(Barakah) is a subtle spiritual energy which flows through everything, but is strongest within the human. The more purified the human becomes, the greater the flow of barakah. Overpowering barakah can be experienced in sacred places, in sacred art an...

Spiritual exercise or work
wird

(Wird pl. Awrad). A specific spiritual exercise which is comprised of litanies and Divine Names. The wird is given to the murid by his Murshid and is to be performed daily. The wird may also descend, without the direct mediation of the Murshid, upon ...

Spiritual Guide
murshid (shaykh, pir)

(Murshid/Shaykh/Pir). The Murshid is a True Inheritor of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). After having been taken to the Divine Presence during his ascension the slave has been returned, by Allah, to the...

Spiritual Intoxication
Sukr

Sukr - see 'Intoxication'.

Spiritual Journey
safar

(Safar). This is the Journey from the multiplicity of the periphery to the Unity at the Centre. The safar commences when the heart is turned towards Allah through His Remembrance. Safar is the Spiritual Journey through the various stations, from the ...

Spiritual Poverty
al-faqr

(Faqr). Indigence and spiritual poverty and destitution and neediness. True poverty is to own nothing, not even one's own self. Spiritual Poverty is to 'know' that Allah is the Independent One Who is in need of nothing. Spiritual Poverty is to belong...

Spiritual Realities
haqa'iq

(Haqaiq). Each existent entity has its own specific spiritual reality which is its relationship with the Real (al Haqq).

Spiritual resolve
himma

(Himma). Intense Spiritual Resolve. This is the most powerful force contained within man. It is the sincere and dedicated application of all of one's efforts and strivings towards attaining the desired Object - Allah. The strength of this will result...

Spiritual seclusion
khalwa

(Khalwa). The spiritual retreat and seclusion. Initially spiritual retreat is undertaken by physically withdrawing from those outside disturbances which have the potential of distracting one in his contemplation of Allah's Names and Attributes. Ulti...

Spiritual State
hal

(Hal). A spiritual state which overwhelms the heart. A hal enters the heart as a gift and a bestowal of Allah's Infinite Grace upon His slave. A spiritual state cannot be attained through effort, desire or invitation. It arrives unexpectedly and dep...

Spiritual States
ahwal

(Ahwal). These are gifts from Allah to the heart of the traveller. There are thousands upon thousands of spiritual states, each state containing a myriad of subtle allusions and each allusion containing innumerable meanings. Within the spiritual conc...

Spiritual Station
maqam

(Maqam). A spiritual station is acquired and earned through the effort and sincerity of the traveller, but such an acquisition is ultimately through the Grace of Allah. A station is a 'fixed' quality of the self, in contrast to the fleeting nature of...