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

al-aniyyah
I-ness

(Al aniyyah). 'I-ness' is the Divine subject which is logically opposed to the Divine object (al huwiyyah). It is the outward aspect of Abstract Oneness. In the Descent of the Absolute from 'The Blindness' it passes through three stages of manifestation which modify its simplicity. These are Oneness (al ahadiyyah), He-ness (al huwiyyah) and I-ness (al aniyah). This is the One manifested in the Many. It is Being, conscious of Itself as the 'truth' of the Many.

See also: Descent of Being He-ness Multiplicity Unity Unity of Allah

Descent of Being ( tanazzul (tanzil) )

(Tanazzul/tanzil). The Descent of Being by means of the Divine Revelation. This is the descent of the Absolute from Total Inwardness, through the various degrees, to Outward Manifestation. The beautiful Hadith Qudsi says, "I was a Hidden Treasure and I loved to be known and so I created the creations and through Me they knew me". Man's descent through the Five Presences, from inward non-manifestation within the Knowledge of Allah to outward manifestation within the world, is known as the spiritual ascent of composition ('uruj at-tarkib). His Return Journey back through the Five Presences to Allah, is known as the spiritual ascent of decomposition (mi'raj at-tahlil). The Divine Revelation makes Its Descent (tanazzul) in order for man to ascend along that Pure Radiation of Divine Light back to the Sacred Source. 'Allah took a handful of His Light and said to It 'Be! Muhammad.' And It was'. The descent (tanazzul) of Being is through the Holy Prophet Muhammad himself, through his Reality (al haqiqat al Muhammadiyyah). And the ascent to Being is through the Holy Prophet. Allah Almighty becomes known through His Beloved Prophet Muhammad. May Allah Bless him and give him Eternal Peace.

Multiplicity ( kathra )

(Kathra). The One descends and becomes many. Unity separates into multiplicity. The Name 'Allah' contains many Beautiful and Divine Names. The many take us back to the One. Multiplicity takes us back to Unity. The Beautiful Names take us back to Allah.

Unity of Allah ( tawhid (tauhid) )

(Tawhid). The Declaration of Allah's Unity, 'There is no god other than Allah' is the very pivot of Islam. Knowledge of the Declaration of Allah's Unity is a light. Yet, Allah Himself is the affirmation of His Unity. Within the higher teaching all existence is One. The Sufis and the Verifiers have realized Allah's Unity within themselves. In itself, the Unity of Allah is divided into four categories. Unity of Actions, Unity of Attributes, Unity of the Names and Unity of the Essence. And "Allah created you and whatever actions you do" (Holy Qur'an 37:96).

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