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

Order by: Arabic English

Annihilation in the Messenger
fana' fi-rasul

(Fana fi Rasul). Annihilation in the Messenger, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). 'No one will meet Allah before meeting the Prophet'. After annihilation into the Self of the Murshid, the seeker journeys,...

Annihilation in the Spiritual Guide
fana' fi-murshid (fana' fi-shaykh)

(Fana fil Murshid/Shaykh). Fallen man cannot, by his own resources, reach Annihilation in Allah.. He requires a Spiritual Guide, a Murshid, who is a pure receptacle for the Divine Outpouring which emanates from the Holy Prophet Muhammad. This Outpou...

Arafat
Arafat

The plain outside Mecca where all pilgrims observe the Day of Standing. "Arafat is Hajj". Arafat represents the time of Divine knowledge and nearness to Allah when the slave stands in the Presence of the Unity of Allah, associating no partner with Al...

Argument
dalala

(Dalala). Argument or proof or denotation or evidence. This term is applied to the World of Imagination which is the closest thing to a denotation or proof of the Real. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is...

Arin
Arin

The Central Island or legendary geographical centre of the world. This is the place of equilibrium and harmony.

Art
san'a

(San'a).The Sufis are often referred to as the People of the Art. Their art is the art of Divine Knowledge. And Divine Knowledge is a light which Allah throws into the heart of whomsoever He Wills. The perfect slave and lover of Allah is himself a wo...

As Safa
As Safa

An indication to the purification of the self from the human qualities.

Ascend
taraqqi

(Taraqqi). To ascend or to climb or to advance. It is for us to climb (taraqqi) to Allah. It is for Allah to receive (talaqqi) those who come to Him.

Ascension to the Divine Presence
mi'raj

(Mi'raj). This is the highest ascent of the slave towards Allah. It is the ascent from multiplicity, through the Divine Presences back to Unity . Mi'raj refers most especially to the ascension of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of All...

Ascent
taraqqa

(Taraqqa). The progressive ascent through the spiritual states, stations and knowledges.

Ascent of composition
'uruj at-tarkib

('Uruj at tarkib).The supra-formal spiritual ascent of composition (which is actually a descent), during which man journeys from inward non-manifestation within the Knowledge of Allah to outward manifestation within the world. Man's Return Journey to...

Ascent-Everlasting
taraqqi da'im

(Taraqqi da'im). The everlasting or perpetual ascent of the slave as he travels through the eternal unfolding of Knowledge of Allah.

Ascents of Spiritual Resolves
ma'arij al-himam

(Ma'arij al Himam). The ascents of aspirations and spiritual resolves. By the Grace of Allah the lover ascends to Allah, but the lover must also yearn, strive and aspire to ascend unto Allah. It is through the intensity of the lover's Spiritual Resol...

Ascetic
zahid

(Zahid). An ascetic or pious renouncer. In the initial stages of Self-purification the murid, whose condition is one of imbalance, is required to develop an ascetic approach to his spiritual work and his daily existence. He is required to take up asc...

Ascetic discipline
riyada

(Riyada). Throughout the initial stages of the Journey of Return to Allah, when the traveller is in a condition of disequilibrium, he is required to exert himself in spiritual struggle and ascetic discipline (riyada). By applying himself to the disci...