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

tawajjuh
Turn the face towards

(Tawajjuh). Alignment, concentration or attentiveness, or 'to turn the face towards something'. Tawajjuh can refer to the spiritual concentration exercised between the Murshid and his murid. On a higher level of meaning it is Allah's Attentiveness towards the possible thing which brings that thing into existence. Also, through the attentiveness of a Divine Name, the traveller is drawn towards Allah.

See also: Affinity Fixed Entities Marriage Reality of Facing or Alignment Spiritual courtesy of companionship Divine Attraction

Affinity ( munasaba )

(Munasaba) is the mutual attraction, affection and love which exists between Allah and His lover. Of necessity this affinity must be reflected in the sacred relationship between the Murshid and his murid. Without a strong affinity, the progress on the Spiritual Path will be impeded.

Fixed Entities ( al-a'yan al-thabita )

(Ayan al Thabita). The immutable entities or fixed prototypes or established essences or potentialities. These are the infinite and immutable Possibilities which are fixed in the Ipseity. The fixed entities are the images of the Divine Names and Qualities and 'things' of the Ipseity in the Presence of Knowledge, with specific individuation. The term signifies the essential character of every individual existing from eternity in the Divine Knowledge. They are established according to non-existence and they are not qualified by existence.

Marriage ( nikah )

(Nikah). The 'Divine Marriage' is the one in which Allah, the Real, turns His Attentiveness towards the possible thing and brings it into existence. The ecstatic may utter phrases concerning his marriage to the Beloved, with the bliss of union and satisfied longing. Or the intensity of his ecstasy may overpower him to such a degree that he no longer knows anything about longing (shawq), burning love ('ishq), marriage (nikah) and union (jam' al jam').

Reality of Facing or Alignment ( haqiqat at-tawajjuh )

(Haqiqat at Tawajjuh). This is the power which enables the Murshid to turn the heart of his murid towards him, and through him towards the Holy Prophet Muhammad and ultimately towards Allah.

Spiritual courtesy of companionship ( adab al-suhba )

(Adab al suhba). This is the mutual respect and gracious behaviour which exists between the Murshid and his murid. The murid needs the Murshid who needs the murid! The Murshid's adab towards the murid springs from his own intrinsic need of Allah. The Murshid's awareness and knowledge of his own need of Allah continually increases. This awareness is strengthened when he regards the murid's need of Allah (through the Murshid.) The murid's adab towards the Murshid becomes more refined as he travels the Path. With the opening of his inner-eye he is able to see the reality of his Murshid and such a 'seeing' necessarily brings with it a beautiful adab.

Divine Attraction ( jadhba )

(Jadhba). When, through His Infinite Grace, Allah draws or pulls His lover towards Himself, without any effort on the part of the lover, rapture and ecstasy are experienced. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) said, "A single one of Allah's attractions equals all the work of jinn and men". During the divine rapture (jadhba), which overpowers the lover's heart, he becomes present with Allah.

Go Back