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

al-sirat
Bridge

(Sirat). The bridge over the Hellfire which leads to Paradise. In the Traditions it is said that on the Day of Judgement, when everyone must cross the Sirat, beneath which lies Hellfire, the fire will say to the man of Allah, the true believer, 'Hurry up. Move along. Your light is extinguishing my fire'. The travellers on the Spiritual Path, the spiritual warriors who yearn to know Allah, pass over the Sirat in this life. It is as thin as a hair and as sharp as a sword. Such travellers are True Men.

See also: Concentration Fire Hell Hereafter Paradise Spiritual Struggle Taking account Travelling

Concentration ( muraqabah )

(Muraqabah). This term applies to the vigilant concentration, with all the power of mind and thought and imagination, and the examination through which the slave carefully keeps guard over himself. During his muraqabah the slave observes how Allah becomes manifest both in the cosmos and within himself.

Fire ( Nar )

Nar - see 'Hellfire'.

Hell ( Jahannam )

(Jahannam) is distance (bu'd) from, and forgetfulness of, Allah. Man finds himself in Hell when he imagines that there actually is a real chasm between Allah and himself.

Hereafter ( akhira )

(Akhira). The hereafter is the next life in which are found the Bridge, the Scales, Paradise and Hell. For the traveller on the Spiritual Path the reality of the things and events of the hereafter may be experienced here and now, in this life. Paradise is the mirror of Allah's Absolute Beauty. It is nearness to Allah. Hell is the mirror of His Absolute Majesty and signifies forgetfulness and hence distance from Allah. The degrees of these experiences vary in accordance with the preparedness of the traveller and ultimately through the Grace of Allah.

Paradise ( al-jannah )

(Al Jannah) is nearness to Allah. There are times in this life when Paradise may be experienced to a very high degree such as when the hearer is overwhelmed by ecstasy during the Spiritual Concert or when the intensity of the spiritual affinity existing between two lovers of Allah actually transports them to the celestial realm. The dhakir who is engaged in the perpetual Remembrance of Allah actually sits in Paradise (Al Jannah) because 'I am sitting with the one who remembers Me'. Paradise is the Divine Presence Itself.

Spiritual Struggle ( mujahadah )

(Mujahadah). The spiritual struggle and endeavour against the passions and downward-pulling tendencies of the lower self. Mujahadah is the ceaseless combat called the Greater Holy War. The war is fought with the celestial weapons of the Remembrance of Allah. The mature ones of the Path, those who 'know Allah', say that mujahadah is child's play! The real work of Men is Divine Knowledge.

Taking account ( muhasabah )

(Muhasabah). The constant analysis of the heart and its changing states. During muhasabah the contemplative takes stock of the heart's most secret motions. He calls himself to account, here and now. He does not wait till the Hereafter.

Travelling ( suluk )

(Suluk) is travelling or Wayfaring. Suluk is journeying along the Spiritual Path of Return to the Source. It is the methodical travelling, through the states and stations, under the direction of a Spiritual Master (Shaykh, Murshid). The one who travels is the salik. The advance of the slave towards Allah is really the advance of Allah towards His slave. "Verily, I desire them more than they desire Me" says the beautiful Hadith Qudsi.

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