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

buraq
Heavenly Steed

(Buraq). The Heavenly Steed upon which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) made his Night Journey and Ascension. Buraq is the steed of Divine Attraction and overwhelming love and longing (shawq) which carries the Lover to the Divine Presence. The provision on this Journey is Consciousness of Allah.


See also: Ascension Attraction Consciousness of Allah Intellect Love - Passionate Night Journey Provision
(Taqwa). Godfearingness. Without taqwa man cannot attain to direct tasting (dhawq) or unveiling (kashf). When faith and practice are combined with Consciousness of Allah then knowledge will be gained. The hadith says, "The head (or beginning) of wisdom is fear of Allah".
('Aql). The intellect or the faculty of reason. The word 'aql derives from 'iqal which means fetter. The intellect fetters man and it also puts its hooks into him, preventing him from making the final stages of the ascent. On the ascension to Allah (mi'raj) there is a point which is indicated by the term 'The Lote tree of the Uttermost Boundary'. It marks the 'place' where reason (the fetter) must be left behind. From this point onwards the traveller journeys with passionate love, yearning and bewilderment. On the Ascension of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) it was at the Lote tree of the Uttermost Boundary that his companion, the Archangel Gabriel (Peace be upon him) stopped through fear of being annihilated. This station of fear is the highest point to which the intellect can attain.
(Isra). This is first stage of the Spiritual Journey where the traveller (salik) travels in the universe itself, gaining knowledge from everything he encounters. Only after this journey has been completed can the traveller begin his ascent (mi'raj) to the Divine Presence. 'Isra is synonymous with the journey in the universe).
Rizq - see 'Sustenance'.

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