The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

infi'al
Receptivity

(Infi'al). Receptivity or passivity or readiness to be acted upon. The receptivity of the existent entity is closely related to its preparedness. Such a receptivity or passivity is necessary if the murid is to 'travel' along the Spiritual Path, under the direction of his Murshid. And this condition of receptivity was established in Pre-Eternity, at the Covenant.

See also: Affinity 'Am I not your Lord?' Companionship Covenant Preparedness Reality of Facing or Alignment Spiritual courtesy of companionship Traveller

(Munasaba) is the mutual attraction, affection and love which exists between Allah and His lover. Of necessity this affinity must be reflected in the sacred relationship between the Murshid and his murid. Without a strong affinity, the progress on the Spiritual Path will be impeded.
Affinity

(Suhba). This term applies most specifically to the spiritual relationship which exists between the Murshid and his murid. The basis of such companionship is mystical conversation and communion, both of which intensify as the murid's heart becomes purified under the Murshid's guidance. It is a profound mutual love based on the Pure Love of Allah.
Companionship

(Mithaq or 'Ahd). The Covenant refers to that 'event' or 'day' in pre-existence when all of the children of Adam bore witness to Allah's Lordship over them; Allah asked his non-existent creation, "Am I not your Lord?". They answered, "Yes, we bear witness". This day of the Covenant is called, by the Sufis, the Day of Alast. It has been said that those spirits who were in close proximity on this day will recognize each other when they meet in this realm. When you meet someone for the first time and you feel like you have known them forever, or since 'before the before', this is the recognition of the spirits from that Day.
Covenant

(Isti'dad) is closely connected to receptivity (infi'al). It is the readiness to receive what Allah Wills to send. This 'preparedness' was established in Pre-eternity through the Most Holy Emanation (Al Fayd al Aqdas) which gave the preparedness to the archetype itself.
Preparedness

(Haqiqat at Tawajjuh). This is the power which enables the Murshid to turn the heart of his murid towards him, and through him towards the Holy Prophet Muhammad and ultimately towards Allah.
Reality of Facing or Alignment

(Adab al suhba). This is the mutual respect and gracious behaviour which exists between the Murshid and his murid. The murid needs the Murshid who needs the murid! The Murshid's adab towards the murid springs from his own intrinsic need of Allah. The Murshid's awareness and knowledge of his own need of Allah continually increases. This awareness is strengthened when he regards the murid's need of Allah (through the Murshid.) The murid's adab towards the Murshid becomes more refined as he travels the Path. With the opening of his inner-eye he is able to see the reality of his Murshid and such a 'seeing' necessarily brings with it a beautiful adab.
Spiritual courtesy of companionship

(Musaffir) is the traveller (salik) who understands invisible things through the analogy of visible ones, thereby swimming from the shore of this world to the further shore.
Traveller
Back