(Inhiraf). All spiritual illness are based upon an inner disequilibrium which has its root in the base character traits of the individual. Through spiritual struggle and the sincere turning to the Remembrance of Allah the base character traits may b...
(Al Insan al Kamil). He is the viceregent of Allah, through whom Allah contemplates His Own Name-derived Perfection. The Perfect Man has actualized the divine form and in carrying the Trust has fulfilled his reason for being. It is through the Perfe...
(Intiqaali nisbaat). This is the transferral of lofty spiritual qualities from the Shaykh to his successor, at the moment of the Shaykh's death.
(Ism 'Alam). Through the immense spiritual courtesy and respect in which the Name 'Allah' is held by the Great Ones, they do not derive His Proper Name from the same root as 'ilah (god) or uluhiyya (Divinity). The Ism 'Alam 'Allah' denotes The Essenc...
(Isra). This is first stage of the Spiritual Journey where the traveller (salik) travels in the universe itself, gaining knowledge from everything he encounters. Only after this journey has been completed can the traveller begin his ascent (mi'raj) ...
(Istighfar) is a necessary part of preparation for true prayer. It is an act of devotion which should never be abandoned, regardless of one's knowedge, spiritual visions, acts of abstinence, etc. 'The slave remains the slave and the Lord remains the ...
(Istilah). Each science has its own unique terminology through which the people of that science communicate with each other. The newcomer to that science must be taught the terminology which is relevant to his field of study. Tasawwuf, the Science o...
(Istiqamat) is spiritual steadfastness in the face of all events, be they manifestations of Divine Beauty or Divine Majesty.
(Athar). To prefer, have greater regard and concern for others than for oneself. To give the choices of the brothers above your own self with regard to your spiritual plane of consciousness and with regard to your worldly existence. The concept of a...
(I'tidal). Equilibrium and balance. Spiritual equilibrium is attained through assuming the noble character traits which were perfected in the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Under the direction of the Mursh...
(Jahil). Ignorance, which is only a lack of knowledge, is darkness and darkness is non-existence while knowledge is Light and Light is existence. The Spiritual Journey is an inner transformation from ignorance to Knowledge, from darkness to Light, fr...
(Jahiliyya). The Era of Ignorance. Everything that occurred before initiation into the Spiritual Path of Return is seen, in retrospect, as Al Jahiliyya. And, the 'moment that has just gone' is an era of ignorance when compared to 'this present moment...
(Jalsa). This term refers most particularly to the fifth posture of the ritual prayer (Salat). The sitting (Jalsa) comes after the first prostration (Sajda) and symbolizes the fifth stage of the Spiritual Journey (Nafs al Radhiyya) and the fifth leve...
(Jalwa). The knower ('Arif) is the one who observes the spiritual retreat (Khalwa) while being engaged in everyday activities within society (Jalwa). During such a time, when he is present with Allah, he finds inexpressible sweetness (Halawa). Such ...
(Jam'i Himmat). Concentration or gathering of one's spiritual resolve upon the object of desire, and that Object is Allah.
