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

Talqin (التلقين)
Teach or Instruct

To teach or explain a point. In Tasawwuf, Talqin is used when the Shaykh or Murshid says something and the murid repeats it back to him. This may be used when one enters Islam at the hand of the Shaykh or when entering upon the Path of Allah during baya'h. This practice involves a transmission of spiritual energy or barakah and can activate certain spiritual work for the murid as well. In general usage, Talqin is also used at the burial of a muslim. One person stays behind to remind them and to help them with the answers to the questions - 'Who is your Lord? Who is your Prophet? and What is your religion'. This is called 'Talqin al Mayyit', instructing the dead.

See also: Pledge of Inititation Breath Corner

Pledge of Inititation ( bay'ah )

(Bay'ah). The pledge or rite of initiation into a Sufi Tariqa. This pledge, which in truth is a pledge between Allah and His slave, eternally bonds together the Murshid and his murid. Within the bay'ah there is a sacred moment in which the spiritual energy of the spiritual chain is transmitted from the Murshid to the murid. This enables the murid to travel in safety under Divine Protection and with Divine Aid.

Breath ( nafas )

(Nafas). Breath or instant. Nafas is the indivisible moment in which every existent in the cosmos undergoes a new creation. The spiritual energy (barakah) of the Sufi Path is transmitted on the breath of the Murshid. It is only through receiving the bay'ah, the Pledge of Initiation, face-to-face from the Murshid that the full power of this Divine Breath can start working within the murid. The Murshid, who himself has received this transmission of the breath from his own Murshid, then passes the breath to his murids. Contemplation upon his own breath can bring the murid to knowledge of 'the renewal of creation in each instant'.

Corner ( zawiyyah )

(Zawiyyah). The transmission of the Divine Wisdom which flows from the Murshid to his murids traditionally takes place in a space or room or building, which is set aside specifically for that sacred purpose. Such a place is called a zawiyyah, which literally means 'corner'. The necessity for such a special place is self evident. The Murshid, upon whom so many murids depend to learn of the signs of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), needs to make himself available to them as much as possible. And, this meeting place, frequented as it is by numerous spiritual people, will rapidly develop into a site of highly concentrated barakah. An ideal zawiyyah contains not only its own mosque, or room selected for prayer and gatherings of dhikr, but also larger meeting rooms for the sharing of food, both earthly and celestial. Small chambers for murids to enter spiritual retreat is of paramount importance, where the Murshid supervises and watches over individual murids as they undergo arduous and demanding periods of seclusion. It is during such times that immense advances are made along the Spiritual Path. Just as Allah Almighty chooses to elevate certain people amongst His creation, by filling their hearts with pure love of Allah and turning them towards His remembrance, so too does Allah elevate certain pieces of His earth. Such sites are destined to become Holy places, where mosques are built, zawiyyahs are erected or where sanctified people live in His Remembrance. The barakah which accumulates around and emanates from these parts of Allah's vast earth eventually attracts the pious believers and yearning lovers of Allah. These places become Sacred visiting places.

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