The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hussayn
Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hussayn (4AH/626CE to 61AH/680CE)

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hussayn was born in Medina in 4AH/626CE. He was grandson of the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), son of Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali and Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatima Zahra. Next to the main door of his mosque in Cairo is a plaque which reminds all who enter that the Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) said "I am from Hussayn, and Hussayn is from me." Despite expectations of him to take a prominent political role, Imam al Hussayn shunned the grandeur of his genealogical status in favour of breaking bread with the poor and needy. While he suffered persecution at the hands of the political powers, Imam al Hussayn said "I will never give my hand like a man who has been humiliated, nor will I flee like a slave ... I have not risen to spread evil or to show off ... I only desire to enjoin good values and prevent evil." After three days of being denied water in the scorching desert heat, his oppressors attacked. Vastly outnumbered, Imam al Hussayn and his companions resisted the oppressors despite being fatigued, thirsty, and heavily wounded. Imam al Hussayn was the last to be slain and, while he was killed mercilessly, he dies holding firmly to his principles, that of instating an Islamic polity rather than unjust rulers.

Silsilat

See also: Spiritual Chain Increase the greatness of the Chosen One, May the salutations of Allah be upon Him, and Peace Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali (598CE or 40AH/661CE) Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatima Zahra (615CE or 11AH/633CE)

(Silsilat). The Spiritual Chain of each tariqa descends from the Holy Prophet Muhammad himself (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) down to the present-day Shaykh. It is through his attachment to the silsilat that the newly initiated murid has the means to travel to Allah under Divine Protection.
Spiritual Chain

Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the final Prophet and Messenger and is known as the Seal of the Prophets (khatm al-anbiya). He (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the most central figure within the Islamic tradition, in general, and in Sufism, in particular. All Sufi Orders trace their lineage to The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), for it was through him that Allah transmitted the final Divine revelation to humanity and it is within him that Allah has granted an incomparably great character. His (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) incomparably great character is the model par excellence for the individual seeking to draw close to Allah.
Increase the greatness of the Chosen One, May the salutations of Allah be upon Him, and Peace

Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali was born in Mecca in 598CE, with some sources indicating the he was born in the sacred sanctuary of the Ka'aba. He was the fourth caliph and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), later becoming the Prophet's (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) son-in-law though marriage to the Holy Prophet's (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) daughter, Fatima Zahra. Imam Ali was the first child to accept Islam. The personal qualities for which Imam Ali is renowned are innumerable and include being an exemplary warrior, statesman, husband, father, and scholar of immense eloquence. He was respected for his courage, knowledge, belief, honesty, piety, nobility, unbending devotion to Islam, deep loyalty to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), consistent treatment of all Muslims, and generosity in forgiving his defeated foe. He is seen as an exemplar of futuwwah (spiritual chivalry). Almost all silsila of the turuq trace their lineage through Imam Ali. On the 19th of Ramadan 40 AH, Imam Ali was attacked with a poison-coated sword while prostrating during the fajr prayer. Rather than seek out revenge, Imam Ali stipulated that if he survived his attacker would be pardoned and if he died his attacker should receive only one equal hit. Imam Ali died a few days after the attack in Iraq in 40AH/661CE.
Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali (598CE to 40AH/661CE)

Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatima Zahra was born in Mecca in 615CE. She is the most famous daughter of the Holy Prophet (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) and Khadija. She was the wife of Sayyiduna wa Mawlana-l Imam Ali and the mother of Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hassan and Sayyiduna wa Mawlana al Imam al Hussayn. She has been regarded as one of the four exemplary women in the history of humanity (along with Asiya, wife of Pharaoh; Mary, mother of Jesus; and Khadija) and is referred as Fatima az-Zahra, meaning "Fatima the resplendent." Numerous marvels are attributed to her and she is seen by many as an important model for female piety and sanctity. She was only eighteen when she died in Medina in 11AH/633CE, passing shortly after her father (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). She is buried in the graveyard of Jannatul Baqi' in Medina in an unmarked grave, which was according to her will.
Sayyidatuna as-Sayyida Fatima Zahra (615CE to 11AH/633CE)
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