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

tark al muraqabah
Abandoning of examination

(Tark al Muraqabah). The knowers of Allah have abandoned examination because they know that 'Nothing is like Unto Him' and no knowledge of Allah provides any positive quality. Examination and concentration (muraqabah) form a decisive part of the struggle in the initial stages of the Spiritual Journey, but as the heart becomes purified and filled with awe, bewilderment and wonder, the knower surrenders. "Nothing is like Unto Him" (The Qur'an 42:11).

See also: Awe, Bewilderment Concentration Intoxication Knowers of Allah Wonder

Awe ( haybah )

(Haybah). The awe or reverential fear experienced by the slave when faced by the Incomparability of Allah, His Majesty and Transcendence, His Inaccessibility, Magnificence and Power. Such a state of godfearingness ensures that the slave will keep himself within the bounds of perfect spiritual courtesy towards his Lord, clinging to his own slavehood/servitude. With regards to haybah and uns (intimacy), Hujwiri says in his Kashful Mahjub, "Allah annihilates the selves of those who love Him by revealing His Majesty and endows their hearts with everlasting life by revealing His Beauty".

Bewilderment ( hayrah )

(Hayrah). Bewilderment, perplexity or wonderment. Hayrah indicates a moment of utter perplexity, when the mind ceases to function, unable as it is to resolve or find an answer to a particular spiritual impasse. At such a blessed time, for it is by the Grace of Allah that such bewilderment was reached, the murid must attempt not to panic or give up. Out of this knot of bewilderment a spiritual reality is given the opportunity to unravel and reveal itself in shattering clarity. The Ultimate bewilderment is that possessed by the knowers and lovers of Allah. They are utterly bewildered because they have found Allah and in finding Allah they know that He is Unknowable yet in each moment they are opened to a fresh and new Knowledge of Allah! 'So, Glory be to Allah Who is known only through the fact that He is not known!'

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.

Intoxication ( sukr )

(Sukr) is spiritual intoxication. It is an absence from self-awareness brought about through a powerful spiritual influence such as immersion in the Remembrance of Allah, finding Allah within the spiritual concert, or the glance of a friend of Allah. It is the overflowing of Love of Allah within the heart and ultimately annihilation in Allah. Those who drink from the Fountain of Camphor drink of an intoxicating Divine wine. They become one with the camphor. The great friends of Allah are those whose inner reality is kept secret. They are in a condition of equilibrium and balance. They are inwardly intoxicated and outwardly sober . But, the lover cannot drink from the Supreme Fountain, before drinking of the Fountain of Camphor. He must become intoxicated and then return to sobriety. Without sobriety he would never relish the overwhelming Beauty of his intoxication (sukr).

Knowers of Allah ( 'arifin )

(Al 'Arifin/'Urufa). They see and recognize Allah wherever they look. The knowers are bewildered. But this is not the bewilderment of being lost, rather it is the bewilderment of having found Allah. They know that He cannot be known. The knowers are nothing because they are everything.

Wonder ( ta'ajjub )

(Ta'ajjub). Wonder occurs when the veils are removed and the slave sees Allah established in all places and at all times. When the slave has been annihilated in the Source and then returned to the humanity to work in the Way of Allah. When Allah is seen in all faces and heard in all voices. When "Wherever you turn there is the Face of Allah" (The Qur'an 2:115) becomes a reality, then will the eyes of the slave be filled with wonder!

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