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

deen (din)
Life transaction

(Deen). The word deen indicates the 'life transaction' between Allah and Man. It is not merely religion in the constricted and limited sense which the word has assumed in these times. This 'life transaction' is between Allah and man, between the Creator and the created, the Limitless and the limited, the One and the many. 'Life transaction' means every facet, every aspect of life - from the smallest detail to the greatest action. Every moment of a man's life should be impregnated with the awareness of Allah - life is meaningless and futile without such an awareness. Islam, the Perfect and Final Revelation, is the Straight Path to this awareness of the Source. And the higher teaching is the Living Heart of Islam - the Heart from which flows the life-giving nourishment to every soul in the manifested world.


See also: Beautiful character traits Form Higher teaching Law Meaning Practice of the Holy Prophet Qur'an Sayings of the Holy Prophet
(Husn al Akhlaq). The beautiful character traits with which the Holy Prophet Muhammad was sent and of which he is the perfect embodiment. The assuming of these beautiful character traits is the alchemical work of the Islamic Spiritual Path. Under the direction of a qualified Master (Murshid, Shaykh, Pir) the disciple (murid/seeker) is given the means by which he can transform his base character traits into the beautiful and noble ones and, in so doing, fulfill his 'reason for being'.
(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'.
(Tasawwuf). Also known as the science of the self, tasawwuf is based upon the Teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). It is known in the West as Sufism or Islamic mysticism. Tasawwuf is the acquisition of the noble character traits through purification of the heart, and is based on four foundations - Returning to Allah, asking forgiveness, developing spiritual consciousness and good actions (tauba, istighfaar, taqwa and amal salih). The one who aspires to Knowledge of Allah is called a mutasawwif. The Purified One who has made the Journey of Return, from his lower self to his Higher Self, is a Sufi. The Perfect Sufi, who is unknown to others, is from the People of Blame. The Master of the People of Blame, the sufis, the ones who aspire, the believers and the non-believers is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Tasawwuf is the Science which takes the traveller through the unending degrees of knowing Allah. Our Master Muhammad the Chosen One is the means by which his followers, lovers and slaves, may attain to Allah Almighty. Tasawwuf is Spiritual and moral Courtesy. To every time, there are manners and to every state there are manners. Whoever holds fast to the higher ethics of all of his times, will reach the higher place of the People of Allah. The one who sees the generosity of Allah upon him in every state, has the glad tidings that he will not follow the path of destruction.The manifestation of good manners outwardly is an indication to good manners inwardly as the Holy Prophet said: “If his heart is in a state of submission then his limbs will follow suit”. Whoever loses his good manners, is far away even though he may think he is near. He has been turned back from the same way that he thinks acceptance is taking place.
(Ma'an). Meaning or innermost reality. The meaning of every human form, his innermost reality, is 'Allah'. This meaning only becomes outwardly manifest in the form of the Perfect Man who has assimilated all of the Divine Names and therefore reflects the Name 'Allah'. But only those who are qualified to 'see' may perceive this outward manifestation of the inner reality. Within the Realm of Imagination meanings are clothed in forms. These meanings, these essential truths, can be seen in dreams and visions.
(Sunnah). The profound Science of Beautiful Moral Behaviour based upon the beautiful model of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Following the form of, and contemplating the meaning within, the sunna are the most profound ways in which man can prepare himself to receive Divine Knowledge.
The Recitation or The Reading. The Qur'an is the Final Revelation from Allah to humanity. This Sacred Book contains all the keys with which to open the endless unfolding of Knowledge of Allah. The Qur'an is that which brings together (qur'an), and it is also that which differentiates (furqan). Seeing furqan without qur'an is seeing only multiplicity and is therefore associating other gods with Allah. Seeing only qur'an without furqan is denying the secondary causes (asbab) and therefore limiting Allah. The First Word, 'Iqra' , of the Final Revelation, which descended upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) through Jibril, the Archangel of Revelation, (Peace be upon him), opened for mankind the Perfect and Complete Way of Return to Allah.
(Ahadith). These are the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). The Science of the higher teaching springs from the Pure Source of the Word of Allah as contained in The Qur'an and from the Teachings of His Final Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha as recorded in the Sayings of the Holy Prophet and his Practice.

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