The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

Arabic words starting with N

nisyan
Forgetfulness

(Nisyan). Because man was created upon the 'form' of Allah he possesses the potentiality to forget his servanthood and see himself as Lord. Yet, this forgetfulness (nisyan) is a Divine Attribute, as is indicated in Allah's Words, "They forgot Allah,...

niyaba
Deputation

(Niyaba). No existent thing is named by all the Divine Names except man. In being the pure mirror of the Name 'Allah', the Perfect Man was given the viceregency and deputyship (niyaba). Through this deputyship the slave can exercise 'governing contr...

niyaz
Constancy and stability

(Niyaz). Constancy and stability in seeking Allah. The bondage of the slave and the yearning of the lover remain constant under all conditions. The slaves and lovers of Allah sit patiently at Allah's door. Through looking always towards Allah, the Ma...

niyya
Intention

(Niyyah). The Perfect Man is the first in intention and desire through Allah, making him the intended aim and final cause of the creation of the world. From the side of creation all acts of obedience to Allah require purity of intention. Without pur...

niza'
Conflict

(Niza'). The conflict in the cosmos is rooted in the conflict which exists between the Divine Names. The disequilibrium and imbalance of a man's constitution result from this niza'. Under the direction of a divine physician and through spiritual stru...

nu'ut al-jalal
Attributes of Majesty

(Nu'ut al Jalal). These are the Attributes which are required by the profession of Incomparability and negation of likeness.

nubuwwa
Prophecy

(Nubuwwa). The Prophecy of Institution came to an end with the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). The Divine Command and Sacred Law were cut off with him. This type of Prophecy reached th...

nubuwwa al 'ammah
Prophecy-General

(Nubuwwa al 'ammah) is the type of prophecy possessed by the Great Sufis.

nubuwwa al muktasabah
Prophecy-Earned

(Nubuwwat al Muktasabah). Earned or acquired prophecy. This type of acquired prophecy is the prophecy possessed by the Great Sufis.

nubuwwata'l-tashri'
Prophecy of Institution

(Nubuwwat al Tashri'). This term applies to the mission of those specific Prophets, such as the Prophet Musa (Peace be upon him) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), who were sent to promulg...

nubuwwatu'l ikhtisas
Prophecy-Specific

(Nubuwwat ul ikhtisas). It is the specific prophecy that is possessed by each one of the Prophets of Allah.

nubuwwatu'l-wilaya
Prophecy of Sainthood

(Nubuwwat ul Wilaya). When the blowing in of inspiration enters the purified heart of one of the friends of Allah, bringing with it good news, this is referred to as nubuwwatu'l-wilaya.

nufudh
Power of penetration

(Nufudh). The power of penetration exercised by the possessors of states, through which they are able to perform the miraculous 'breaking of habits'.

Nuh
Noah

(Nuh). The Prophet Noah (Peace be upon him) through whose Word descended the Wisdom of the All-Glorified.

nujaba
Nobles

(Nujaba). Within the Sufi hierarchy these are the Forty Nobles who are occupied with carrying the weight of Creation. They are not free to act except on behalf of the 'other-than-Allah'.

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