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

nubuwwa
Prophecy

(Nubuwwa). The Prophecy of Institution came to an end with the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). The Divine Command and Sacred Law were cut off with him. This type of Prophecy reached the hearts of all the Prophets through the Angels of Revelation who cast the Knowledge into their hearts. During the descent of the Revelation the Prophets and Messengers had the combined vision of both the 'angel' and the 'casting'. Allah has locked the door of such Prophecy. However, there is still the general prophecy and the prophecy of sainthood which is possessed by Allah's friends. This is the prophecy through which Divine Knowledge is cast into the hearts of the friends. Unlike the Prophets and Messengers, the friends only have vision of either the 'angel' or the 'casting'. They never have the combined vision. Had it not been for this general prophecy and prophecy of sainthood the door to Knowledge of Allah would have been cut off permanently, leaving mankind without direct access to Allah. Through the Inheritors of the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha mankind is enabled to reach Knowledge of Allah, here and now. The Prophets were not appointed to unfold the mysteries. That is the work of the Friends of Allah. The outer Teaching of the Prophet Muhammad, through which he is a Prophet, is the Law. His inner Teaching, through which he is a friend, is Reality. This is one of the meanings within his saying, 'I am Ahmad without the 'M'.

See also: Casters Heralding vision I am Ahmad without the 'M' Law Muhammad Mustapha Prophecy of Institution Prophet Spiritual Guide Sainthood

Casters ( al-mulqiyat )

(Al Mulqiyat). The term 'the Casters' refers to those angels who cast the knowledge of unseen realities into the hearts of the knowers and lovers of Allah.

Heralding vision ( mubashshira )

(Mubashira). A heralding vision or sound dream, through which the Friends of Allah experience revelations from Allah.

I am Ahmad without the 'M' ( ana Ahmad bila mim )

(Ana Ahmad bila mim). When the Holy Prophet Muhammad was asked, 'Are you Ahad?' he said, "No! I am Ahmad without the 'M" (Ana Ahmad bila mim). Ahmad - M = Ahad. Ahad is 'The One'. Within these words are indications of the Mystery of Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Outwardly he is limited, slave and created, but his inner reality is the One (Ahad) and the Real (Haqq).

Muhammad ( MUHAMMAD )

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the Glory of the Universe, the Best of Creation, the Seal of the Prophets and the friend of those who truly love him. He is from the Light of Allah and all of existence is from his light. He is the key to unlock the Mystery of Existence and he is also the treasure of Existence. He is the key to Allah's Mercy and the key to Paradise. Muhammad al Mustapha is the niche and the goal of the wayfaring lover and the burning rapture within his breast. He is the Beloved of Allah. He owns the Banner of Praise and the Station of Glory. Outwardly he is the Perfect Slave and inwardly he is The One. When the Reality of Muhammad has been unveiled to the lover his heart prostrates before the sheer beauty of this most Noble Sanctuary.

Mustapha ( MUSTAFA )

The Chosen One. The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the Chosen One of Allah. From Pre-Eternity he was chosen to be the one through whom the Hidden Treasure would become manifest. From Pre-Eternity he was chosen to be the Beloved of Allah. From Pre-Eternity he was chosen to be the Glory of the Universe and the Best of Creation and the Perfect Man. In being a Prophet when Adam was still between water and clay he was chosen to have Firstness. In being the Seal of the Prophets, the one to deliver the perfected religion to humanity, he was chosen to have Lastness. Allah chose to give him two of His Own Most Beautiful Names - The All-Clement (ar-Rauf) and The All-Compassionate (ar-Rahim). In following in the footsteps of Muhammad al Mustapha, in clinging to him and loving him more than life itself, the slaves of Allah are brought near and drink the wine of Divine Love.

Prophecy of Institution ( nubuwwata'l-tashri' )

(Nubuwwat al Tashri'). This term applies to the mission of those specific Prophets, such as the Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), who were sent to promulgate and establish a new religious code.

Prophet ( nabi )

(Nabi). A Prophet is a friend of Allah (Wali) who possesses unique knowledge of the Unseen Worlds. Allah has sent 124,000 Prophets to humanity to show them the Way of Returning to Allah. The Prophets are under the Command of Allah to invite people to their particular way (or religion). The teachings of these religions are varied in keeping with the different peoples to whom they were directed, yet the Source of all is One, Allah. Each Prophet and each religion reveals a specific Face of the Absolute. Muhammad the Chosen One is the Final Prophet of Allah - May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace. The universal message which he delivered is the perfect and complete religion. It is for all of humanity, not being limited exclusively to one group of people.

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 creation to guide and perfect the still imperfect ones. He was taken up as a slave and returned as a slave and Murshid. The qualities of an authentic Murshid are those of his own Master and Teacher, the Holy Prophet himself. The sacred connection between a Murshid and his murids was established in Pre-Eternity and continues into Eternity. Because of the Murshid's own spiritual attainments his murids have the possibility of becoming travellers. The perfect Murshid is of The People of Blame and his murids sometimes also attain Perfection. For the murid, the Murshid is one of the 'signs on the horizons', the outward of his own inward. What he sees in the mirror of his Murshid is a reflection of what is within his own self. He may also see within the Murshid the good qualities and excellent character traits which are yet latent in himself.

Sainthood ( wilayah )

(Wilayah/Walayah). Wilayah is the sainthood of the great friends of Allah (awliya). It is a Divine gift and the height of human perfection. The distinguishing mark and basis of sainthood is gnosis, not holiness or piety. The friend upon whom sainthood is bestowed has no choice in this. All is the Grace of Allah. The degree of his Knowledge of Allah, through which his sainthood descended, is also a gift from Allah. Wilayah is privacy with Allah. This privacy is indicated in the words of Muhammad al Mustapha, may the Salutations of Allah be upon him and peace, "There is a time for me with Allah, in which neither the nearest angel nor a sent Prophet is contained". Wilayah is 'seeing Allah through Allah'. The Friends of Allah, those upon whom wilayah has been bestowed, open up what the Prophets left closed. They are the mouthpieces of the Prophets. Through them the fragrant musk and the sweet honey of the Teaching of the Holy Prophet Muhammad continues to fill the world. Within wilayah there is an hierarchical order at whose peak is the Pole.

Go Back