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

al-umm al-'aliyat al-kubra
Mother - the highest and greatest

(Umm al 'aliyat al kubra). This term refers to Nature as the Isthmus (al barzakh). She is the one who gives birth to all things.


See also: Isthmus Nature
(Barzakh). Barrier or isthmus or separating partition. The barzakh is the symbol of an intermediate state. It is something which separates two other things while never going to one side. It is the barrier between the known and the unknown, the existent and the non-existent. Imagination is the most excellent barzakh in that it is 'neither this nor that', or 'both this and that', or the realm of 'He/not He' (Huwa/la Huwa). "It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed" (25:53) .
(Tab'). Nature or imprint. This term signifies the sum total of the peculiarities which are impressed into something, for example, a thing's characteristics, temperament or constitution.

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