The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

Arabic words starting with I

Ihram
Garment of the Pilgrim

(Ihram). Putting on of the white garments. Entering the state of ihram is an indication to not seeing the creation, but seeing the Creator. Wearing the unstitched cloth is an indication to the transformation of the negative qualities to the higher...

Ihram
Consecreation

Ihram - see 'Garment of the Pilgrim'.

ijad
Bring into existence

(Ijad). To bring into existence or to bestow with existence. This bestowal of existence is infinite because Allah, the Bestower, is Infinite. Existence only becomes manifest through His Names and what comes out of His Names is infinite.

ijmal
Undifferentiated mode

(Ijmal). Within the Knowledge of Allah all of the immutable entities are differentiated. Allah distinguishes each entity and does not see them as undifferentiated. The root of the cosmos is Allah, and the cosmos itself is the manifestation of the Di...

Ijtihad
Striving

Ijtihad - see 'Effort and striving'.

ijtihad
Effort and striving

(Ijtihad). Outwardly this takes the form of individual endeavour to learn knowledge of the Sacred Law (shari'a). Inwardly the efforts of the individual are directed towards self-purification in order to gain Knowledge of Allah. Such a striving (ijti...

Ijtima'
Come together

(Ijtima'). Allah, the Real is both Essence and Divinity. The Real, as Divinity, may come together with His creation. Allah descends and the slave ascends to meet within a mutual waystation. But such a 'coming together' is impossible for the Essence...

ijtima'
To come together

(Ijtima'). Allah, the Real is both Essence and Divinity. The Real, as Divinity, may come together with His creation. Allah descends and the slave ascends to meet within a mutual waystation. But such a 'coming together' is impossible for the Essence...

ikhlas
Sincerity

(Ikhlaas). Sincerity and purity of intention. Without this noble quality man is unable to advance towards his Lord or live in harmony with the creation. With it he is able to traverse great distances and attain to great heights of knowledge. The core...

ikhtisas
Election

(Ikhtisas). This term applies to those who are the chosen ones of Allah and His elect.

Ikhtiyar
Spontaneity

Ikhtiyar - see 'Free choice'.

ikhtiyar
Free choice

(Ikhtiyar). Free choice or spontaneity (as opposed to compulsion). The angels are servants of Allah only by compulsion. They have no choice. Man is a servant of Allah by compulsion through his obligatory works and he is a servant of Allah by free cho...

Ilahi
Divine

(Ilahi). That which refers to Allah.

ilahiyyah
Divinity

(Ilahiyyah). Allah has two Aspects or Faces. One is His Unknowable and Hidden Aspect which is the Essence Itself. This Face of the Absolute is turned away from His creation. The other Aspect is His being the Divinity. This Face is turned towards His...

ilham
Inspiration

(Ilham). Divine inspiration or effusion. Ilham is an blowing in of the Holy Spirit into the heart of a Prophet or a Friend of Allah. Ilham is distinct from Revelation which is specific only to the Prophets of Allah. The Divine Ilham is the immense sp...

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