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

ka'inat (kawn)
Engendered things

(Mukawwanat)). These are the creations which have been brought into existence through Allah's Word of Command "Kun!" and which will leave this world when their stay here is terminated. It is within the Cloud, which is the Supreme Isthmus, that form is given by the Giver of Forms, Al Musawwir, to all of the existents or engendered things. Every existent becomes manifest within the Cloud.

See also: Engendered existence Fixed Entities Isthmus Supreme Isthmus

Engendered existence ( kawn (ka'inat) )

(Kawn/Ka'inat). Existence comes from Allah's Word "Be!" ("Kun!"). Allah, as the Divinity, is perpetually with engendered existence, but, engendered existence is not perpetually with Allah. The entire spiritual work of the higher teaching is directed towards being in a perpetual state of presence with Allah. Allah's friends, the Awliya, witness Allah constantly. Their witnessing is a joining which does not turn into a separation, just as knowledge does not turn into ignorance.

Fixed Entities ( al-a'yan al-thabita )

(Ayan al Thabita). The immutable entities or fixed prototypes or established essences or potentialities. These are the infinite and immutable Possibilities which are fixed in the Ipseity. The fixed entities are the images of the Divine Names and Qualities and 'things' of the Ipseity in the Presence of Knowledge, with specific individuation. The term signifies the essential character of every individual existing from eternity in the Divine Knowledge. They are established according to non-existence and they are not qualified by existence.

Isthmus ( al-barzakh )

(Barzakh). Barrier or isthmus or separating partition. The barzakh is the symbol of an intermediate state. It is something which separates two other things while never going to one side. It is the barrier between the known and the unknown, the existent and the non-existent. Imagination is the most excellent barzakh in that it is 'neither this nor that', or 'both this and that', or the realm of 'He/not He' (Huwa/la Huwa). "It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed" (25:53) .

Supreme Isthmus ( Barzakh al 'Ala )

Barzakh al 'Ala - see 'Isthmus-Supreme'.

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