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

al-'arsh
Throne-The Divine

(Al 'Arsh). Allah, Who is without place, created a heaven called 'The Throne' where He could 'sit' in order for man to supplicate and seek his needs from Allah. This Throne upon which Allah 'sits' is the seat of those Divine Names that are bound to a place. The Divine Word which descends from Allah contains the Sacred Law within which is all knowledge. The 'place' of Unity of the Word is His Throne (al 'Arsh). Beneath the Throne is His Footstool where the Word becomes differentiated into rulings or judgements and reports. And, although the earth and the heaven do not contain Allah the heart of His slave does contain Allah. Such a heart is Al 'Arsh. It is the heart of the Lover of Allah and around it the spiritual realities circle. Al 'Arsh is the universal manifestation taken in its total unfolding. The greatest heart is that of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). All knowledge and love are an overflowing from his heart.

See also: Footstool Judgement Overflow Reality of Muhammad Reports Supplication Unity of the Word

Footstool ( al-kursi )

(Kursi). In the descent from the Absolute the Footstool is situated under the Throne. It is the place from which the command to good, and the prohibition of evil, issues. Cosmologically it is the heaven of the fixed stars. The Divine Word which descends from Allah contains the Sacred Law within which is all knowledge. The 'place' of the Unity of the Word is Allah's Throne. The Divine Word of Allah's Sacred Law becomes differentiated into rulings and reports at Allah's Footstool (al Kursi).

Judgement ( al-hukm )

(Al Hukm). The judgement or order or property which rules over a thing. Just as a king rules over his subjects according to the level of kingship, so it is the level of the thing that rules, not the entity of the thing. It is this property of a thing which is perceived by the insight of the one with unveiling. The property is rooted in the Divine Name which rules over that thing. The True Muhammadan heirs, The People of Blame, who are the people of 'no station' , always regard their entity, not their level. This is a sign of perfect spiritual courtesy and slavehood or servitude.

Overflow ( afada )

(Afada) To overflow or emanate. Creation is an overflow or an emanation from the the Breath of the All Merciful. Allah is 'the Giver' and His Beloved Prophet Muhammad (who is the Greatest Teacher) is 'the Distributor'. The Inheritors of the Prophet (the Spiritual Masters, the Perfect Men) receive their knowledge as a direct overflow or emanation from the vast and immense heart of the Prophet himself. This endless overflow then passes to the murids.

Reality of Muhammad ( al-haqiqat al-Muhammadiyyah )

(Al Haqiqat al Muhammadiyya). This is 'The Reality of realities'. It is the first descent of Being from the Beyond of the Beyond. It is the Station of True Love and the stage of 'Or Nearer'. Just as man is unable to look directly into the physical sun because its brilliance would burn away his sight, so too is he unable to look at the Divine Sun because Its Pure Radiance would burn away his very existence. And just as the sun can only be viewed through a thin covering of cloud, so too the Divine Sun can only be seen through the Greatest Veil which is the Reality of Muhammad. The heart which has been infused with knowledge of The Reality of Muhammad soars to Allah Almighty. It takes the lover on the wings of overwhelming love ('Ishq) and longing (Shawq) to the Divine Presence. When Prophet Noah saw the condition of the flood and he was afraid of the sinking of the ark, he used the intercession of Allah for the safety of the Ark (al Wasila). Allah told him to write on the mast the mixing of the Name of Allah and Muhammad (Alif Mim Lam)

Reports ( khabar )

(Khabar). The Divine Word which descends from Allah contains the Sacred Law within which is all knowledge. The place of the Unity of the Word is Allah's Throne. The Divine Word of Allah's Sacred Law becomes differentiated into rulings and reports at the Footstool. Reports from Allah can be received by His great friends.

Supplication ( du'a )

(Du'a'). Du'a is the private and personal supplication of the slave to his Lord. "Your Lord has said Call upon Me and I will answer you" (The Qur'an 2:260). "Call upon Allah, or call upon Rahman (the Merciful), By whatever name ye call upon Him, (it is well) for to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names" (The Qur'an 17:110). This personal form of prayer gives to the worshipper the opportunity to pour out his heart, expressing his longings, his fears, and his intense need of his Lord. In so doing man can rid himself of accumulated poisons and emotional debris which block the celestial channel between himself and Allah Almighty. Sitting, with head bowed and palms upturned in an attitude of readiness to receive the barakah from above, man may become a symbol, not only of spiritual poverty but also one of supreme trust.

Unity of the Word ( ahadiyyat al-kalima )

(Ahadiyyat al Kalima). This is the Divine Word which descends from Allah. This Word contains the Sacred Law within which is all knowledge. The 'place' of this Unity of the Word is His Throne. Beneath the Throne is His Footstool where the Word becomes differentiated into rulings and reports.

Go Back