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

bab
Door or gate

(Bab) Door or gate. Sitting patiently, with total respect and utter humility, at Allah's door, is the work within tariqa. While knocking on Allah's door the murid waits mindfully, never distracted, in readiness for whatever Allah Wills for him. The lover prostrates at the door of the Sacred House yearning for a word, a glance or a message from the Beloved. One lover of Allah has said, "When was the door ever shut?" Another has said, "For years I knocked on the door, then realized that all the time I'd been knocking from the inside!" When speaking of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) as the City of Knowledge, Sayyiduna 'Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) is the Gate (bab). When speaking of "There is no god other than Allah" as the Impenetrable Fortress, then "Muhammad is the the Messenger of Allah" is its Door (bab).

See also: Form Gratitude House Key Patience

Form ( sura )

(Sura). The outer form of an entity or thing is what conceals its inner meaning. Revelation is the outer form whose meaning is Allah's Knowledge of Himself and His creation. Tearing away the veil of form to reveal the meaning within is the work of the higher teaching. The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) prayed, 'Oh, Allah, show me things as they are in their reality'.

Gratitude ( shukr )

(Shukr). Gratitude or thankfulness. The station of gratitude indicates an all-pervading awareness of the immensity of Allah's Grace upon His slave. The man who combines gratitude with patience is the man of wisdom.

House ( dar )

(Dar). House or abode or dwelling. When a murid is engaged in spiritual warfare and struggle his physical body is the 'abode of warfare' (Dar-ul-Harb). Within this abode there reside Allah's enemies; all the infidels, unbelievers and tyrants. They must be subdued. The purified human body (and the sanctified heart which it contains) then becomes the 'abode of Islam' (Dar-ul-Islam) and the 'abode of peace' (Dar-us-Salam). Now it is blessed and worthy of being called Allah's temple. The Sacred City of Medina, the City of the Holy Prophet Muhammad is referred to as 'the Abode' (ad-Dar). And the lover sits and knocks on the door of the Sacred House yearning for a word, a glance or a message from the Beloved. One Great Lover said "For years I thought I was knocking from the outside, but the whole time I was really knocking from the inside!"

Key ( miftah )

(Miftah). The key is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). He is the key with which to open and enter the door to Divine Knowledge. He is the key which opens the doors of Paradise and locks the doors of Hell. He is the key to unlock Generosity's sealed chest. Amongst his holy names are Miftah ar Rahmah (The key to Allah's Mercy), Miftah al Jannah (The key of Paradise), and Miftah al Khouloud (The key to eternal existence).

Patience ( sabr )

(Sabr). Perfect patience is to surrender unconditionally, to the Will of Allah, accepting whatever becomes manifest in each indivisible moment. Sabr is a supreme virtue because it requires total and knowing surrender. The man who combines patience (sabr) with gratitude is the man of wisdom.

Go Back