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

thabat
Stability

(Thabat). Constancy or stability. Due to the never-ending Self-disclosures and the speed of self- transmutation, or change from one state to another, there appears to be no constancy and no stability. Yet, sometimes the traveller is moving so fast along the Path of Return to Allah that everything seems to be stable! Sometimes there is blindness, 'I can't see anything!' and at other times there is clarity of vision, 'I see only Allah!'. The Journey is bewilderment and knowledge is bewilderment and an increase in knowledge is an increase in bewilderment!

See also: 'All is He' Bewilderment He He/not He Renewal of creation at each instant Self-disclosure Self-disclosure doesn't repeat itself Self-transmutation Traveller Travelling

Bewilderment ( hayrah )

(Hayrah). Bewilderment, perplexity or wonderment. Hayrah indicates a moment of utter perplexity, when the mind ceases to function, unable as it is to resolve or find an answer to a particular spiritual impasse. At such a blessed time, for it is by the Grace of Allah that such bewilderment was reached, the murid must attempt not to panic or give up. Out of this knot of bewilderment a spiritual reality is given the opportunity to unravel and reveal itself in shattering clarity. The Ultimate bewilderment is that possessed by the knowers and lovers of Allah. They are utterly bewildered because they have found Allah and in finding Allah they know that He is Unknowable yet in each moment they are opened to a fresh and new Knowledge of Allah! 'So, Glory be to Allah Who is known only through the fact that He is not known!'

He ( Huwa )

(Huwa). This is the Supreme Self, the Non-Manifest Being. Huwa indicates the Essence Itself which is always in the Unseen and remains in Itself Incomparable.

Renewal of creation at each instant ( tajdid al-khalq fi'l-anat )

(Tajdid al khalq fil anat). This is an incessant outpouring of Being into the manifest realm. The one with the preparedness to receive this perpetual irradiation of the Essence, realizing the ceaseless revelation and constant renewal within himself, is a Verifier and Knower of Allah.

Self-disclosure ( tajalli )

(Tajalli) means Allah's unveiling of Himself to His creatures. The Divine Self-disclosures are never repeated and they are never ending. They are the lights of the Unseen which are unveiled to hearts. They are the signs which Allah has placed within ourselves in order that He may be seen. Each tajalli pours more light and still more light upon whomsoever it falls, for Eternity. The mountain of the lower self is blown to pieces in the tajalli of Allah. The differences that occur within the various Sufi orders do not indicate disagreement or argument amongst the Masters. Each human is unique, and each tajalli is utterly unique, therefore no two people ever experience the same tajalli. But, those who have tasted know, and those who have not tasted do not know. Tajalli is beyond words. Tajalli is bewilderment.

Self-transmutation ( tahawwul )

(Tahawwul). Self-transmutation, or to change from one situation to another. Allah is constantly transmuting Himself within His Self-disclosures. The root of this tahawwul is the diversity of the Divine Names. It is only the knower of Allah who sees Allah everywhere and at all times. The Knower never denies Allah in any form, place, time or situation, here or there, ever! His respect for each form, place, time and situation is perfect because it is based upon his knowledge of Allah's Self-transmutation (tahawwul).

Traveller ( musafir )

(Musaffir) is the traveller (salik) who understands invisible things through the analogy of visible ones, thereby swimming from the shore of this world to the further shore.

Travelling ( suluk )

(Suluk) is travelling or Wayfaring. Suluk is journeying along the Spiritual Path of Return to the Source. It is the methodical travelling, through the states and stations, under the direction of a Spiritual Master (Shaykh, Murshid). The one who travels is the salik. The advance of the slave towards Allah is really the advance of Allah towards His slave. "Verily, I desire them more than they desire Me" says the beautiful Hadith Qudsi.

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