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

shams
Sun

(Shams). The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the Sun of the Celestial Secrets. The existent entities are the shadows cast by his Radiant Splendour. He is the Sun of the Morning Light. 'Light the world- too long in darkness, with Muhammad's radiant name'. Shams is also a symbol of the Spirit and an indication to the higher intellect. When the heart is touched by the rays of the Divine Sun, all doubts are removed and the heart begins to radiate that light, both inward and outward. The sun is the greater celestial body of the heart - the inward representation of the outward sun of the universe and a manifestation of the Name of Allah – al Nur – The Light., as in the Qur’anic verse: "Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth". Al Nur is the manifestation of divinity and the attributes of the Holy Names that are beyond the reach of the human - exclusive to Allah. The sun is an indication to the state of Ahadiyyah - uniqueness.


See also: I am Ahmad without the 'M' If not for you, if not for you (Oh Muhammad) Light of Muhammad Morning Light Perception Shadow Spirit
(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).
(Nur Muhammadiyya). "Allah took a handful of His Light and said 'Be! Muhammad'". From this pre-existent Light of Muhammad (nur Muhammadiyya) all of the spheres were created. It is the Light of Muhammad that enables the traveller to advance towards the Reality of Muhammad (al haqiqa al Muhammadiyyah). Without the cooling nature of this light the salik would not advance, or if he did advance he would be burned-up. The differentiation between the Light of Muhammad (nur Muhammadiyya) and the Reality of Muhammad (al haqiqat al Muhammadiyyah) is within the degrees of the descent of Being, from the Inward Non-manifestation of the Hidden Treasure to the outward manifestation of the cosmos.
(Duha). The Morning Light. The 93rd Sura of The Qur'an is named 'Duha'. This morning light is equated with the Light of Muhammad. The morning light makes visible all things that were concealed by the darkness of night. Through the Light of Muhammad - the Hidden Treasure, which loved to be known, was made manifest. All of existence is perceived through duha. 'Light the world, too long in darkness, with Muhammad's radiant name'.
(Idrak). "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth" and it is through the Light of Allah that all perception takes place. "Allah took a handful of His Light and said to it, "Be! Muhammad'". The creation, which is the outward manifestation of the Hidden Treasure, is seen and known through the Holy Prophet Muhammad. But, only the knowers know that they are seeing it through the Reality of Muhammad. Without him all is darkness. 'Light the world, too long in darkness, with Muhammad's radiant name'. The Chosen One, Al Mustapha, said, "Who has seen me, has seen Allah". Existence is the Reality of Muhammad. For perception to take place there must be light.
(Thill). Man is situated between the Sheer Light of Being and the utter darkness of non-existence, between good and evil. He is a mixture of light and darkness. The light which is within man derives from his own essence which is turned towards Allah. When man relates himself to Allah Almighty, Allah receives him. Light is that through which man perceives. When Allah discloses Himself to one of His lovers, it is the light perceiving the Light. Allah sees Himself. None sees Allah but Allah. The heart is overwhelmed by the Radiance of Allah's Light. Man carries this light within his own shadow. The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha said, "I am from the Light of Allah and the whole world is from my light". The entire creation is the shadow of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace).
(Ruh). The Ruh is that centre within man which is attracted and drawn back to its Source. The spirit endeavours to pull the heart towards Allah, while the lower self exerts a downward pull on the heart. The human spirit is also Allah's Spirit because Allah breathed His Spirit into man. In being both 'uncreated' and 'created' the Ruh makes its descent. On the Night of Power, "Therein descend the angels and the Spirit, by Allah's permission" (Qur'an 97:4). The 'uncreated' spirit is equated with the Reality of Muhammad and the 'created' spirit extends from the Divine Throne down to the Perfect Man. The Ruh cannot be seen except by the man who has outstripped 'both the worlds'. The spirit is neither within nor without the body, neither detached from it or attached to it. It is both within and without, detached and attached. The luminosity which radiates from a man depends upon the degree of activity of his Ruh.

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