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

sur
Fortress

(Sur). Fortress or rampart. The Fortress (sur) which the slave enters to gain Eternal Protection is 'There is no god other than Allah'. The Foundation upon which this Impenetrable Fortress is built is 'Allah'. The Door to the Fortress is 'Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah', and the Key to the Door is 'There is no power and no strength except in Allah'. The Foundation and the Fortress and the Door and the Key form the Noble Protection (Tahsin ash-Sharif) within which the slave of Allah is safe.

See also: Door Foundation Key Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah Noble Protection Slave There is no god other than Allah There is no power and no strength except in Allah the Most High, the Tremendous

Foundation ( asas )

(Asas). A house will not stand firm without a solid foundation. Starting from the foundation the murid methodically reconstructs his entire being. The building process starts with his first spiritual practices (awrad). If these are approached and fulfilled with sincerity, need and love then his foundation (asas) will be solid. Ultimately the foundation of everything is Allah.

Key ( miftah )

(Miftah). The key is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). He is the key with which to open and enter the door to Divine Knowledge. He is the key which opens the doors of Paradise and locks the doors of Hell. He is the key to unlock Generosity's sealed chest. Amongst his holy names are Miftah ar Rahmah (The key to Allah's Mercy), Miftah al Jannah (The key of Paradise), and Miftah al Khouloud (The key to eternal existence).

Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ( Muhammadan Rasulullah )

(Muhammadan Rasul Allah) is the second half of the Islamic Testimony of Faith (shahadah). Muhammad is the one sent by Allah. He is the representative of Allah. Without him we cannot come to know Allah. His message is the message of beautiful return to Allah. But, Muhammad is from the Light of Allah. So, before Muhammad can be the Messenger of Allah, Allah must be the Messenger of Muhammad. His Light sends out the message of Muhammad. Allah is the Messenger of Muhammad (Allah Rasul Muhammad) and then Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah (Muhammadan Rasulullah).

Noble Protection ( tahsin ash-Sharif )

(Tahsin as Sharif). The Noble Fortification or Stronghold. This Noble Fortification has a strong Foundation, upon which is built an Impenetrable Fortress to which there is a Door and a Key. Within this Noble Fortification the slave of Allah is Eternally Protected.

Slave ( al 'abd )

('Abd). The slave (and worshipper) is the one who is in a state of total and utter submission to the Will of Allah. After having been annihilated in Allah where all duality vanished and distinctions were erased, he returns to creation with perfect courtesy and with the Truth of Certainty that 'the Lord is the Lord and the slave is the slave'. When 'abd is translated as 'servant' it carries the implication that the servant can leave the service of his Master, if he so desires. However, the 'slave' is in total bondage, being utterly dependent upon his Master. All buying and selling transactions have been terminated. The slave belongs to Allah, completely, perfectly and unconditionally.

There is no god other than Allah ( La ilaha il Allah )

(La ilaha il Allah). These words which form the first part of the Islamic Testimony of Faith could be paraphrased as 'there is no reality, only Reality' or 'there is no truth, only Truth' or 'there is no love, only Love'. The phrase is the supreme declaration of Unity. "There is no god" (La ilaha) is the negation of everything that is other-than-Allah while "only Allah" (il Allah) is the affirmation that there is only Allah. Through the dhikr of "La ilaha il Allah" the one who remembers uses the word of negation - 'la' - to sweep away all of the inner debris which is defiling his heart, the Sacred Centre. Ultimately, by the Grace of Allah, the phrase "La ilaha il Allah" is replaced by the Word of the Essence Itself - Allah. Everything other-than-Allah has been negated. Allah is affirmed. There is no divinity save the sole Divinity. The Principle insofar as It excludes and annuls the illusory World, while at the same time affirming the unique and supreme Reality. The mystery of Negation and of Affirmation of Reality (Nafy wal Ithbat).

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