The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

rafraf
Green cushion

(Rafraf). A green cloth (or cushion) of intense light which descended to the Holy Prophet Muhammad on his Ascension. Upon this rafraf he was pulled up for the last stage of the ascent to the Divine Throne in the Divine Presence. May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace.


See also: Heavenly Steed Intellect Lote Tree of the Uttermost Boundary Night of the Ascension

(Buraq). The Heavenly Steed upon which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) made his Night Journey and Ascension. Buraq is the steed of Divine Attraction and overwhelming love and longing (shawq) which carries the Lover to the Divine Presence. The provision on this Journey is Consciousness of Allah.
Heavenly Steed

('Aql). The intellect or the faculty of reason. The word 'aql derives from 'iqal which means fetter. The intellect fetters man and it also puts its hooks into him, preventing him from making the final stages of the ascent. On the ascension to Allah (mi'raj) there is a point which is indicated by the term 'The Lote tree of the Uttermost Boundary'. It marks the 'place' where reason (the fetter) must be left behind. From this point onwards the traveller journeys with passionate love, yearning and bewilderment. On the Ascension of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) it was at the Lote tree of the Uttermost Boundary that his companion, the Archangel Gabriel (Peace be upon him) stopped through fear of being annihilated. This station of fear is the highest point to which the intellect can attain.
Intellect

(Al Sidrat al Muntaha). This tree marks the boundary of the intellect. It is located at the extreme verge of the created universe. Beyond it is nothing but the Pure Selfhood.
Lote Tree of the Uttermost Boundary

(Laylat al Mi'raj). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), the slave of Allah ('Abdullah), was 'taken' to the Divine Presence on this 'night'. The word 'night' indicates that moment which is outside of time when Muhammad al Mustapha was blindfolded to everything that is other-than-Allah. In this timeless moment he was in a state of utter Unity . He had realized the Unity of Time, Unity of Place and Unity of Essence. In this state of inner unity he was 'taken' to the Divine Presence. He did not 'go' of his own accord, but was 'chosen' to be 'taken' on this 'night'. The Holy Prophet is the Beautiful Model and his Ascension is the ascension par excellence. By following in his footsteps the yearning lovers and devoted followers and bereft slaves hope to follow him to the Divine Presence. The chosen one (al Mustapha) is the Slave and he is also the Beloved of Allah. No one meets Allah by being a lover, only by being the Beloved. The Night of Ascension, the Night when man ascends to the Divine Presence, corresponds to the Night of Power when the Spirit descends to man.
Night of the Ascension
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