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

mu'jiza
Miracle

(Mu'jiza). A mu'jiza is the miracle of a Messenger or Prophet of Allah (Peace be upon all of them), as distinct from the miracles (karamat) of the friends of Allah. A miracle is intended to display Allah's action in Power and Wisdom. Cause and effect are removed. The miracles of the Prophets and Messengers are openly displayed whereas the miracles (karamat) of the Friends of Allah remain hidden and secret. The Qur'an is the greatest miracle displayed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad. His hidden miracle is his reality - the reality of 'I am Ahmad without the 'M'


See also: Breaking of habit Colouring Free disposal Friends of Allah Governing control 'I am Ahmad without the 'M'' Miracles Servitude Spiritual resolve
(Kharq al 'ada). This is another expression for the type of miracle performed by the friends of Allah. However, the Verifiers (al Muhaqqiqun) say that a miracle is a 'bringing into existence' rather than 'a breaking of habit', because a 'habit' is something that 'returns' and, due to the fact that everything is in a state of ever-renewed creation, there is no 'habit' (or 'return') to 'break'.
(Tasarruf). Free disposal or dispensing. The Perfect Man governs the affairs of the world and controls them by means of the Divine Names. He exercises free disposal throughout the world. This free disposal (tasarruf) is the knower's power of bringing events to pass through directing his spiritual energy towards the sphere of possibilities.
(Awliya). The friends of Allah. These are His Saints. Their knowledge is not derived from reflection. Allah has purified them of that type of knowledge. They possess the opening of unveiling through Allah, the Real, Himself. The awliya are those with unbroken awareness of Allah. These Perfect Men have attained to the highest of all human degrees.
(Tahakkum). This is an attribute of the friends of Allah. It designates an inward spiritual and mental activity that may bring extraordinary events into existence.
(Karamat). Charismatic gifts or super-natural actions or miracles which Allah, the Generous (al Karim) bestows upon His friends. 'Whoever belongs totally to al Karim, all his acts are karamat'. These are distinguished from the miracles (mu'jizat) of Prophets. Karamat are kept hidden while, through the Divine Command, mu'jizat are displayed in order to invite people to the Truth. The word karamat denotes something both extraordinary and inexplicable. The greatest of all gifts (karamat) is Knowledge of Allah.
('Ubada). Servitude and bondage. This is the fulfilment and consummation of slavehood ('ubudiyya) when the slave loses himself in the Will of his Lord. 'Ubada is 'the Nearness of obligatory works' which is one of the four stations of Perfection. To realize 'ubuda is to be gifted with a very high degree of Knowledge of Allah. To know that 'the slave is the slave and the Lord is the Lord' is the supreme form of spiritual courtesy towards Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the Beloved of Allah and His Chosen One. No one is more perfect than him. No one can attain to his Knowledge. Yet Allah says in The Qur'an, "Glory be to Him Who carried His slave by night" (17:1). The slave is in bondage ('ubuda). Bondage is Perfection. Bondage is Knowledge.
(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 results from its sincerity and the purity of its facing, its collectedness and its focusing on a specific matter. 'Himma' is a pure, active force in the human being and is found in the origin of his creation and nature, or else it is acquired and developed later. From the point of view of it being a force, it is capable of attachment and is therefore attached in accordance with the will of its owner. If one attaches one's 'himma' to the world, one achieves riches and position; if one attaches it to worship, one achieves stations and inspirations; and if it belongs to Allah, all attachments fall away and the aspiration becomes one. Al Himma is to turn totally to the Creative Truth without saying “I can’t” or with regards to the self, “what’s in it for me?” By using the means and the connections of work and the convictions of hope and to trust yourself with it totally. In the beginning, himma is that you have made firm your convictions towards obedience to Allah and fulfilling the promise of your repentance. It can develop from there and it is possible for the spiritual resolve to proceed through the following stages: The connection of one’s heart by the real blessing that never diminishes. Swaying the self from the diminishing desires. Seriousness in seeking the Truth when there is reluctance. With regards to conduct, himma is: 1. The desire to remain steadfast in the spiritual actions one performs. 2. With the continuation of visualision and the power of trust in Allah, by doing what you need to do, and you surrender to Him. With regards to manners, one should turn the himma totally towards proper behaviour in order to achieve the ultimate happiness and completeness. With regards to foundations, the himma will pull her owner towards the right of the Creative Truth by the power of ______________. And the peace and tranquillity of being with Allah will not stop her owner or cool down. Through their Spiritual Resolve the great friends of Allah possess the power to perform miracles. Yet, due to their knowledge, their slavehood and their perfect courtesy they refrain from exercising such spiritual resolve except when in compliance with a Divine Command. There can be no greater blessing for a human than the gift of being born into this earthly realm with the pre-eternal yearning to return to his Origin. It is the greatest gift that Allah gives to anyone. And, it is the highest luck, because this yearning, this himma, was established within the, as yet unformed soul, when it was still non-existent, (though existent), within the Knowledge of Allah. The opposites become united in such a human, who, though dwelling in an earthly body of clay and de­composition, has a yearning soul, composed of the noble virtues and immortal qualities. And for this Gift, the seeker will never be able to express his thanks to his Lord. He who has no spiritual aspiration or sincere will in seeking Allah in gratitude or in love cannot have an ambition to follow the Sufi Path of 'Friendship'.

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