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

marhum
Objects of Mercy

(Marhum). Everything in existence is an object of Mercy having become manifest through the Mercy (Rahma) of the All Merciful Himself . Allah's Mercy continually showers down and covers everything. We are surrounded by and immersed in the Divine Mercy, yet very few are qualified to see this reality. Allah says, "My Mercy precedes My Wrath".

See also: Breath of the All Merciful In the Name of Allah Mercy Preparedness Severity

Breath of the All Merciful ( nafas ar-rahman )

(Nafas ar-Rahman). The Breath of the All Merciful. This exceedingly beautiful term indicates the evanescent nature of existence in its state of constant change and renewal. It is the Supreme Isthmus and the very substance of the universe is the Breath of the All Merciful. In their state of non-existence the entities are contracted and distressed). This Divine Breath brings relief to them by giving them their existence. Allah breathes out, and through His All Merciful Breath He speaks. We, the creation, are His Words. We are the forms and He is the meaning.

In the Name of Allah ( basmallah )

(Basmallah). This is the sacred formula of Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim (In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate). The recitation of the 'basmallah' sanctifies all of man's words and deeds and thoughts, and in so doing it keeps satanic influences at a distance. With his continually expanding awareness of Allah every moment and each breath of the 'one who remembers' becomes 'In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate'. It is said that the opening chapter of The Qur'an (al Fatihah) contains the Essence of the Qur'an, and that the 'basmallah' contains the Essence of al Fatihah. When speaking of the Declaration of Faith as an intellectual 'ascent' the basmallah is then regarded as an ontological 'descent'.

Mercy ( rahma )

(Rahma). Mercy and compassion. There are two kinds of mercy. The first is an essential mercy or the mercy of free-gift which Allah bestows upon all creatures without distinction. The second is a specific mercy or the mercy of obligation which Allah gives to those slaves who are deserving of it. When the slave has been blessed with the 'opening of unveiling' he sees, smells, tastes, touches and hears Allah's Rahma, which not only surrounds him, but also penetrates every atom of his being.

Preparedness ( isti'dad )

(Isti'dad) is closely connected to receptivity (infi'al). It is the readiness to receive what Allah Wills to send. This 'preparedness' was established in Pre-eternity through the Most Holy Emanation (Al Fayd al Aqdas) which gave the preparedness to the archetype itself.

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