The Language of the Future
Sufi Terminology
by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi
basar al-'arif
Sight of the Knower
(Basar al 'Arif). The true slave is both a knower ('arif) and a lover ('ashiq) of Allah. When Allah loves such a slave Allah Himself becomes 'the eye with which he sees ... '
(Hubb al Fara'id). Through purity of intention and sincerity of action man is brought nearer and nearer to Allah. In the Journey towards the station of Perfection known as 'The Nearness of obligatory works' the motivation is from the Beloved, Allah. In this station the Divine Attraction takes priority over travelling.
(Hubb an Nawafil). Through purity of intention and sincerity of action man is brought nearer and nearer to Allah. This beautiful 'approaching' results from the mutual love and affinity (Munasaba) which exists between Allah and His lover (Muhibb). In the Journey towards the station of Perfection known as 'the Nearness of supererogatory works' travelling takes priority over Divine Attraction (Jadhba).
(Qurb al fara'id) is the second lowest of the four stations of Perfection. The slave who performs the obligatory works attains this proximity. While retaining his own properties his reality is annihilated in Allah. Allah manifests Himself with His Name, the Outward, so that the lover remains hidden within Allah. The subject and agent is Allah and the lover's hidden presence is manifested by his becoming Allah's faculties. The lover becomes the Beloved's sight, hearing . . .
(Qurb an-nawafil) is the lowest of the four stations of Perfection. The slave who performs the supererogatory works attains this proximity. While retaining his own reality he is completely dominated by Allah's Oneness and becomes qualified by His Attributes. Allah manifests Himself with His Name, the Inward, so that He remains hidden within the lover. The agent and subject is the lover and Allah's Presence within him is manifested by Allah becoming the lover's faculties. The Beloved becomes the lover's sight, voice etc.
(Nawafil al Khayrat). Through the Infinite Grace of Allah the sincere practising of the nawafil al khayrat may result in the spiritual perfection in which the slave's hearing, sight, speech etc. are negated. He then hears, sees and speaks through Allah. This is the Nearness of supererogatory works.
