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

al-azal
Eternity without beginning

(Azal). The Eternity-without-Beginning. Independence from creation belongs to the Essence from Eternity-without-Beginning and poverty towards Allah in His Independence belongs to the possible thing in its state of non-existence from Eternity-without-Beginning. Azal is a dimension of the Divine Eternity, whose two other dimensions are Eternity-Without-End and Pre-existence.

See also: Eternity without end Independence Pre-existence Spritual poverty

Eternity without end ( al-abad )

(Abad) is the effacement of one's moments in everlastingness. It is abiding or subsistence in Allah. The two other dimensions of the Divine Eternity are Eternity-without-beginning and Pre-existence. This is related to the Name of Allah Al Wahid (The One).

Independence ( ghina )

(Ghina). Independence, wealth and in need of nothing. Allah, as the Essence, is perfectly Independent and in need of nothing. He knows Himself and we know nothing of Allah in His Essence. The essential attribute of creation is poverty (faqr) which is the opposite of wealth (ghina). We are dependent upon, and in need of, Allah. Independence from creation belongs to the Essence from Eternity-without-Beginning. Poverty towards Allah in His Independence belongs to the possible thing in its state of non-existence from Eternity-without-Beginning. Due to the 'renewal of creation in each instant' the entities are constantly poor and needy towards Allah in each instant. Within each smallest duration of time in the cosmos the entities are in utter need and poverty. The knower of Allah knows his essential poverty and Allah's Essential Wealth. He is the true faqir.

Pre-existence ( qidam )

(Qidam). Eternity or antiquity or pre-existence. Qidam is that which is fixed for the slave in the Knowledge of Allah.

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