(Salb). Allah, the Eternal Essence, is beyond any description. The Essence can only be hinted at through the negation of attributes and by saying what 'He is not', for "Nothing is like unto Him" (The Qur'an 42:11).
(Nafy) is the negation of the fancy of the existence of the 'other'. The supreme example of nafy is the First Declaration of Faith - There is no god other than Allah (La ilaha ill Allah). "There is no god" (la ilaha) forms the negation and "only All...
(Nafy al Mumathala). The negation of likeness. This is the profession of Allah's Incomparability. "Nothing is like unto Him" (The Qur'an 42:11).
(Ghaflah). To be negligent or heedless or unconscious of Allah. From the viewpoint of the higher teaching, al ghaflah indicates a state which, at times, may overcome some of the lesser knowers. In this state they succumb to such a state of heedlessne...
(Jar). This term comes from the Sufi expression 'the Neighbour first, then His House' (Al jar, thumma 'd-dar), which implies that all spiritual aspirations must be exclusively concentrated upon Allah Himself. He is the Goal. The bewilderment of the ...
(Jadid). New creation (Khalq Jadid) is a term which indicates the constantly changing states and the renewal of each existent thing, in each instant. In each instant a new knowledge is unfolded to the 'aware one'. Only the Essence is changeless.
(Khalq Jadid). This term signifies the state of constant change (new creation) which everything undergoes in each indivisible instant. Nothing remains the same for two successive moments. It is through the observation of the new creation (khalq jadi...
(Mishkat). The niche or tabernacle. The word niche (mishkat) reaches us from the beautiful Verse of Light "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp, the Lamp enclo...
(Layla). A woman's name meaning 'Night'. Layla indicates that 'moment' on the ascent to Allah when darkness surrounds the slave, blindfolding him to everything that is other-than-Allah. Within Sufi mystical poetry and sufi songs the name Layla symbo...
(Isra). This is first stage of the Spiritual Journey where the traveller (salik) travels in the universe itself, gaining knowledge from everything he encounters. Only after this journey has been completed can the traveller begin his ascent (mi'raj) ...
(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 Me...
(Laylat al Qadr). The Night of Power occurs during one of the last odd numbered nights of the Month of Ramadan. It was on this night that the archangel Garbirel made his initial appearance to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah b...
(Laylat al Mi'raj). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), the slave of Allah ('Abdullah), was 'taken' to the Divine Presence on this 'night'. The word 'night' indicates that moment which is outside of time wh...
(Musamarat). The address of the Real to the knowers from the realm of secrets and the unknowable. This address is delivered to your heart by way of the Archangel Gabriel. This is when the most secret thoughts are concealed and the tongue becomes dum...
(La maqam). This is the 'station of no station'. This 'station of no station' is the highest station reached by the People of Perfection who manifest the Name 'Allah'. They have passed beyond all states and stations and are the true Muhammadan heirs....
