The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

al 'isra
Night Journey (of the Holy Prophet)

(Al Isra'). The Night Journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). While mounted on the heavenly steed Buraq (Lightning) the Holy Prophet travelled at a speed outside of time, from the Sacred Mosque in Mecca to the farthest Mosque in Jerusalem. During the 'Isra he was given knowledge of the entire universe, and only after this did Allah invite him to leave the earthly realm and make his Ascension (mi'raj) to the realm of Absolute Truth.

See also: Beautiful Model If not for you, if not for you (Oh, Muhammad) Night of Ascension Reality of Muhammad

(Uswa hasana). The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the beautiful model. Through his perfect example man is given the means of drawing closer, and yet closer, to Allah. The degrees of such nearness depend upon the manner and attitude in which one follows the beautiful model. Those who love Allah and His Messenger more than anything, more than life itself, are the slaves who follow Muhammad al Mustapha in their outer lives and in their inner realities. To approach Allah, the slave must first meet the Holy Prophet Muhammad. This meeting is a Mystery. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, the beautiful model, becomes the slave's inner reality through the unveiling of the Reality of Muhammad. The hadith says, "Who has seen me has seen Allah".
Beautiful Model

(Al Haqiqat al Muhammadiyya). This is 'The Reality of realities'. It is the first descent of Being from the Beyond of the Beyond. It is the Station of True Love and the stage of 'Or Nearer'. Just as man is unable to look directly into the physical sun because its brilliance would burn away his sight, so too is he unable to look at the Divine Sun because Its Pure Radiance would burn away his very existence. And just as the sun can only be viewed through a thin covering of cloud, so too the Divine Sun can only be seen through the Greatest Veil which is the Reality of Muhammad. The heart which has been infused with knowledge of The Reality of Muhammad soars to Allah Almighty. It takes the lover on the wings of overwhelming love ('Ishq) and longing (Shawq) to the Divine Presence. When Prophet Noah saw the condition of the flood and he was afraid of the sinking of the ark, he used the intercession of Allah for the safety of the Ark (al Wasila). Allah told him to write on the mast the mixing of the Name of Allah and Muhammad (Alif Mim Lam)
Reality of Muhammad
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