The Language of the Future
Sufi Terminology
by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi
Maulana
Our Lord
(Maulana). For the friends of Allah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is 'our Lord' (Maulana) and 'our Master' (Sayyiduna).
(Tabi'). This term refers to the one who is a follower of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). A follower strives to emulate his perfect and beautiful character. A friend of Allah is always a follower (tabi') of the Prophet Muhammad and is never independent of his guidance. To be a true tabi' is to be greatly blessed. To be utterly dependent upon our Master, Sayyiduna Muhammad, is a gift from Allah.
(Qadam ar Rasul). The Qadam Rasul, a sacred relic, is the impression or trace left on a rock by the footprint of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Not only does an immense spiritual energy, or baraka, emanate from the qadam rasul, but the mere sight of it may exert an exceedingly powerful effect upon the viewer. The trace of the sacred footprint acts as a reminder that, while being the Glory of the Universe and the Beloved of Allah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha nonetheless was a man who walked upon this earth. His spiritual family, those who strive in the Way of Allah and remember Allah much, desire always to follow precisely in the footsteps of Allah's Beloved, and hope to meet him at the Spring of Abundance in Paradise.
(Sultan). The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the sultan of all of humanity, but only those who love him with an unconditional love know that he is King.
(Rasulllah). The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Through the radiant light of the Messenger, Allah sends to mankind the message of His Own Pure Light. "Allah took a handful of His Light and said, 'Be Muhammad!'. And it was". Each and every incoming thought, whether praiseworthy or blameworthy, is a 'messenger' from Allah. Through constantly keeping watch over his heart the knower is never unmindful of these messengers. Allah says in The Qur'an, "Now there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst your own selves" (The Qur'an 9:128). The lover, slave and knower of Allah is also the lover, slave and knower of the Messenger of Allah (Rasulullah), the Beloved of Allah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Once you know Allah, then you will know who Muhammad really is! The ecstasy within the breast of this lover-slave-knower is the Messenger of Allah (Rasulullah). He is the messenger who will take him back to Allah.
(Sayyiduna). The Master of the lovers and knowers of Allah is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). They are the slaves of Muhammad the Chosen One, whose noble title is Sayyiduna Muhammad - our Master Muhammad.
