The Language of the Future
Sufi Terminology
by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

nafs al-mutma'inna
Self - Peaceful

(Nafs al Mutma'inna) is the Self at Peace.The Qur'an refers to this Self, "Oh Self, in complete rest and satisfaction!" (89:27). This Self is tranquil as it rests in the Certitude of Allah. It has been reintegrated into the Spirit. The Nafs al Mutma'inna journeys with Allah. It is equated with the first prostration of the ritual prayer and with the fourth rung (Knowledge of Certainty) on the ladder to Knowledge.

See also: Believer Knowledge of Certainty Prostration Prayer Virtuous One

Believer ( mu'min )

(Mu'min). The believer or the one with faith (Iman). On the seven runged ladder to Knowledge of Allah, the believer occupies the second rung, that of Iman. Such a believer is now safe from the hellfire, but his ascent to the Divine Presence still reaches above him. From the stage of mu'min he then endeavours to attain the spiritual virtues of Ihsan and become a muhsin.

Knowledge of Certainty ( 'ilm al-yaqin )

('Ilm al Yaqin). There are three stages of Certainty - ''llm al Yaqin (The Knowledge of Certainty), 'Ayn al Yaqin (The Eye of Certainty) and Haqq al yaqin (The Truth of Certainty). When considering this triad the Knowledge of Certainty occupies the first stage. It could be likened to hearing the description of a fire. It is followed by the Eye of Certainty, which is like actually seeing the light of the flames of that fire. Finally there is the Truth of Certainty which is being consumed by the flames of that blazing fire. Haqq al yaqin is the final stage in the ascent before attaining Real Islam. The seven levels of knowledge through which the traveller must pass are Islam; Iman; Ihsan; 'Ilm al Yaqin; 'Ayn al Yaqin; Haqq al Yaqin and Islam. (Surrender, Faith, Perfection, Knowledge of Certainty, The Eye of Certainty, The Truth of Certainty and Total Surrender and Submission).

Prostration ( sajda (sujud) )

(Sajda pl. Sujud). The sajda, which is the culminating position in the ritual prayer, is the supreme symbol of humility, surrender and unconditional love of Allah. The slave and worshipper is annihilated in the One. When the heart prostrates, it never again rises from that prostration. Within each cycle of the prayer there are two prostrations. The first sajda symbolizes the Self at Peace and the fourth stage of knowledge, Knowledge of Certainty. The second sajda symbolizes the Well-pleasing Self and the sixth stage of knowledge, the Truth of Certainty. Through the Infinite Grace of Allah the lover may arrive at the Noble, Sacred Sanctuary. This the Noble Prophet Muhammad himself (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). The lover-slave prostrates before the Noble Sanctuary who is his sole means of attaining the Divine Presence.

Prayer ( salat )

(Salat) refers particularly to the ritual prayer. It is a connection between the slave and his Lord. The ritual ablution which precedes the salat symbolizes the separation from the self. The salat itself symbolizes the joining to Allah. The seven bodily postures of the ritual prayer are symbols of the stages on the Spiritual Journey of Return to the Source and also the seven levels of knowledge through which the traveller (salik) passes on his ascent. As 'the one who performs the prayer' (musalli) approaches closer to Allah, the more profound and intense is his salat. The Holy Prophet Muhammad said, "The prayer without you is better than seventy". As his heart is purified through spiritual struggle and the Remembrance of Allah, and as he journeys along the Path of Return, the traveller leaves his lower-self behind. Initially the Divine Light radiates into the heart of the musalli-salik. Gradually this Light increases and spreads, and eventually, through the Infinite Grace of Allah, it infuses and permeates every atom of his being. Then does he pray a prayer which is without himself, because 'None worships Allah but Allah'.

Virtuous One ( muhsin )

(Muhsin). The muhsin is the man with virtue, the one who has devoted all his efforts towards acquiring that quality of excellence and perfection, sanctifying virtue and spiritual beauty which is embodied in the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace).

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