The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

English words starting with S

Scale of the Law
al-mizan al-shar'i

(Al Mizan al Shari'). This scale was established for this world while the Fundamental Scale (Al Mizan al Asli) was established for the next world.

Scale of the Revealed Law
al-mizan al-mashru'

(Mizan al Mashru'). This scale is the one which Allah has established for mankind in this world.

Scholars
'ulama

('Ulama). These are the learned masters or the men of outward knowledge. The 'ulama are the scholars of exoteric Islam while the knowers of Allah are the Masters of esoteric Islam. However, at times 'ulama can also indicate the inward knowers.

Science of Divine Knowledge
ma'arif

(Ma'arif). The sciences connected to Divine Knowledge. The ascent from multiplicity to Unity is a journey from wideness to narrowness. Initially the sciences are varied and numerous. Slowly and gradually, little by little, these sciences become few a...

Science of letters
'Ilm al huruf

('Ilm al huruf).

Science of numbers
'Ilm al arqam

('Ilm al arqam).

Science of the Self
Tasawwuf

Tasawwuf - see 'Higher teaching'

Sea or Ocean
bahr

(Al Bahr). This term has several meanings. It is one of the most powerful symbols of Divine Unity and Absolute Being. When the lover reaches this Mighty Sea and plunges into its Waters, he is lost. The drop becomes the Sea. Also, between the Sea of M...

Seal
khatm

(Khatm). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the Seal of the Prophets and the Seal of the Messengers. Khatm is also the sign or seal of Allah upon the hearts of His Lovers. Such sanctified hearts are perm...

Seal of Prophecy
khatam an-nubuwwah

(Khatm an Nubuwwah). Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) was sent to mankind with the final, complete and perfect prophecy.

Seal of the Messengers
khatam ar-rasul

(Khatm ar Rasul). This Seal is Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). After him there are no more Messengers sent by Allah to mankind because the Message of Rasulullah is the perfect and complete Message.

Seal of the Prophets
khatam al-anbiya

(Khatm al Anbiya). Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the final Prophet of Allah. The Holy Prophet himself, and the message with which he was sent, contain everything that mankind needs to make the Journey o...

Seal of the Saints
khatam al-awliya

(Khatam al Awliya). He is also known as the The Pole or The Pivot or The Axis (Qutb). Within the Sufi hierarchy the Qutb occupies its peak. He is the one person in every era who forms the focus of Allah's supervision of the world.

Seclusion
Khalwa

(Khalwa). The spiritual retreat and seclusion. Initially seclusion is undertaken by physically withdrawing from those outside disturbances which have the potential of distracting one in his contemplation of Allah's Names and Attributes. Ultimately th...

Second Determination
ta'ayyun thani

(Ta'ayyun thani). The Second Entification or Second Epiphany. This is the Angelic Realm and is also known as the Imagination. The Lote Tree of the Uttermost Boundary, the Breath of the All Merciful and the Cloud. This is the Supreme Isthmus.

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