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

('Ilm al Batin). The science of inward knowledge as opposed to the 'exterior' science ('Ilm al Thahir) of the Doctors of Law. The knower possesses both the inward and outward knowledges, because he 'knows' Allah and Allah is both the Nonmanifest (Al Batin) and the Manifest (Al Thahir).

(Nur) is the created light which radiates from the Uncreated Light of Allah. When this light enters the heart it drives away the existent order thereby annihilating the inner eye from witnessing 'other-than-Allah'. For unveiling to take place the Light which comes from Allah must coincide with the light within the heart. If there is darkness within the heart, then it will not be able to match the Light from Allah. In such a case there is no unveiling, and Knowledge of Allah does not arrive in that heart. It is the Remembrance of Allah which polishes the heart and allows it to be filled with light. The Source of this Pure Light is the Absolute Darkness of the Essence Itself. The most complete and penetrating light is the light through which is unveiled what Allah means by the forms seen by the imagination in dreams.

(Mahall). Locus or dwelling place or place of manifestation. Each human heart is a locus in which the Being of Allah discloses Itself. The radiance of His Self-disclosure depends upon the purity of the heart in the way that water takes on the colour of the cup. His Self-disclosures pertain to the 'unseen' world and to the 'visible' world, both of which are perceived by the heart. This indicates the vastness and the tremendous capacity of the human heart.

(Ahl al Kashf wal Wujud). These are the knowers. They have passed beyond the veils which stand between themselves and their Lord and they stand perpetually in His Presence.

(Idrak). "Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth" and it is through the Light of Allah that all perception takes place. "Allah took a handful of His Light and said to it, "Be! Muhammad'". The creation, which is the outward manifestation of the Hidden Treasure, is seen and known through the Holy Prophet Muhammad. But, only the knowers know that they are seeing it through the Reality of Muhammad. Without him all is darkness. 'Light the world, too long in darkness, with Muhammad's radiant name'. The Chosen One, Al Mustapha, said, "Who has seen me, has seen Allah". Existence is the Reality of Muhammad. For perception to take place there must be light.

(Majla). Place or locus of Divine Self-disclosure and revelation. The cosmos was given existence purely and solely to be a place for the manifestation of the Divine Names. And man was given existence purely and solely to develop himself into the Perfect Man and become a place for the manifestation of the All-Comprehensive Name 'Allah'.

(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.