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

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq
Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (570CE to 13AH/634CE)

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was born in Mecca in 573CE. He was the first caliph, the father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), and one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Many Sufi poets refer to him as the "Friend of the Cave," referring to an incident when he accompanied the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) on the dangerous journey from Mecca to Medina. The two fled Mecca, followed by a group from the Quraysh with ill intent, and sought refuge in a cave. Allah caused a spider to spin a web across the mouth of the cave and birds to nest there, leading the pursuers to believe that no one could possibly have entered the cave without disturbing these creatures and destroying their homes. While the pursuers were at the mouth of the cave, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was repeatedly stung by a scorpion, causing him significant pain. Rather than cry out, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq refrained from making a noise and even caught his tears to minimise the possibility that the pursuers be alerted to someone in the cave due to the sound of his tears hitting the ground. This image of the "Friend of the Cave" became a model of dedication and love of the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), a spiritual state lauded and prized by many. Once, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq donated all his wealth for the sake of Allah. When the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) heard this he asked him what he had left for his family, to which he was replied "Allah and His Prophet." As Caliph, Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq was instrumental in preserving the Qur'an, appointing a committee, headed by Zayd ibn Thabit, to collect all verses of the book and then verify them. Imam Abu Bakr as-Siddiq died in 13AH/634CE in Medina and is buried by the side of the Prophet Muhammad's (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) grave.

Silsilat


See also: Spiritual Chain Increase the greatness of the Chosen One, May the salutations of Allah be upon Him, and Peace
(Silsilat). The Spiritual Chain of each tariqa descends from the Holy Prophet Muhammad himself (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) down to the present-day Shaykh. It is through his attachment to the silsilat that the newly initiated murid has the means to travel to Allah under Divine Protection.
Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the final Prophet and Messenger and is known as the Seal of the Prophets (khatm al-anbiya). He (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the most central figure within the Islamic tradition, in general, and in Sufism, in particular. All Sufi Orders trace their lineage to The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), for it was through him that Allah transmitted the final Divine revelation to humanity and it is within him that Allah has granted an incomparably great character. His (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) incomparably great character is the model par excellence for the individual seeking to draw close to Allah.

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