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

'alam al-khayal
World of Imagination

('Alam al khayal). This is the isthmus in which the friends of Allah encounter each other. Within this World the murid may encounter the Murshid, from whom powerful and decisive lessons are transmitted. It is here that the friends may receive instructions and directions from the saints of the Sufi hierarchy and even from the Holy Prophet Muhammad himself (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace).

See also: Blessing Corporeal bodies Grace Isthmus Red Sulphur

Blessing ( al-in'am )

('Inam). Allah created man only to worship and know Allah. Man's creation is a blessing from Allah, firstly through having been given existence, secondly through having been brought out of the darkness and distress of non-existence, thirdly through having been given the possibility of assuming the traits (takhalluq) of the Divine Names and lastly in being made Allah's representative (khalifah) on earth. The blessings which Allah showers upon mankind are infinite. In knowing just how blessed they are, the truly Blessed Ones amongst His slaves continually supplicate for Allah to shower His Eternal Blessings upon the Best of creation, the Holy Prophet Muhammad - May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace.

Corporeal bodies ( ajsam )

(Ajsam). Within the imaginal realm there occurs the spiritualization of the corporeal bodies and the corporealization of the spirits.

Grace ( 'inayah )

('Inayah). The Grace of Allah surrounds us. We are immersed in His Loving-Kindness. Each step of the Journey of Return to Allah is taken through His Grace. Without Allah we can do nothing.

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) .

Red Sulphur ( kibrit ahmar )

(Kibrit Ahmar). This term is used to indicate a highly personal spiritual realization or a vision of great rarity. The Red Sulphur is the sought-after and rare working principle which turns base metal into gold. Finding one's Spiritual Guide/Murshid is often referred to as 'finding the red sulphur'. Finding the hidden treasure within one's own secret is the Red Sulphur. Finding the Red Sulphur is rare, yet some of the great friends of Allah have found it in abundance! The universal meaning of Sulphur is the Divine Command.

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