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

talib ad-dunya
Seeker of this world

(Talib ad dunya). He who seeks this world. This is the seeker of earthly pleasures and delights. Such a one has no awareness of his inherent need for guidance. He is a follower of his own whims and fancies. He is under the control of the misguider, Shaytan. His animal self has him within its suffocating grip.

See also: Disequilibrium Fire Hell Lowest of the low Misguidance One who covers the Truth Satan Self-Animal Wretchedness

Disequilibrium ( inhiraf )

(Inhiraf). All spiritual illness are based upon an inner disequilibrium which has its root in the base character traits of the individual. Through spiritual struggle and the sincere turning to the Remembrance of Allah the base character traits may be transformed into noble ones. With the assuming of the noble character traits, equilibrium and harmony will be attained.

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.

Lowest of the low ( asfali-safalin )

(Asfala safilin). This is the lowest point on man's descent from inward manifestation within Allah's Knowledge to outward manifestation within the world. It is from here that man starts his ascent, his Return Journey to Allah.

Misguidance ( idlal )

(Idlal). Man has been given the choice as to which path he takes on the return journey to his Origin. In this life he can make the Journey of Return to his Sacred Centre under Divine Guidance which is manifested in the Prophets of Allah and His friends. But, he can be prevented from making the journey in this life due to Misguidance (Idlal) which is manifested in Satan and his friends.

One who covers the Truth ( kafir )

(Kafir). The one who covers up Reality. Taken negatively the kafir is the infidel and unbeliever within oneself. Taken positively the kafir is the knower of Allah who guards his secret and hides the Sacred Reality within himself. It is said that if the Reality of the Sufi was to be unveiled he would be worshipped.

Satan ( Iblis )

(Iblis). This is the personal name of Satan (shaytan). Symbolically Iblis is the fancy of 'otherness' from Allah.

Wretchedness ( shaqa' )

(Shaqa'). This is a stage which is reached through following individual caprices and whims. Disobedience is the condition of the wretched one (shaqi), while obedience is that of the felicitous one . Misguidance pushes man to wretchedness. Guidance leads man to Felicity.

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