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

fi sabilillah
In the way of Allah

(Fi Sabilillah). As the traveller ascends on his Journey he gains an ever-increasing awareness of the significance of each of his thoughts, words and actions. The more refined and purified these thoughts, words and actions become, then the greater is his intention that they be spoken or undertaken 'In the Way of Allah' (Fi Sabilillah). Such is the Way of the friends of Allah.


See also: Beautiful Model Intention Poor Thoughts
(Uswa hasana). The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the beautiful model. Through his perfect example man is given the means of drawing closer, and yet closer, to Allah. The degrees of such nearness depend upon the manner and attitude in which one follows the beautiful model. Those who love Allah and His Messenger more than anything, more than life itself, are the slaves who follow Muhammad al Mustapha in their outer lives and in their inner realities. To approach Allah, the slave must first meet the Holy Prophet Muhammad. This meeting is a Mystery. The Holy Prophet Muhammad, the beautiful model, becomes the slave's inner reality through the unveiling of the Reality of Muhammad. The hadith says, "Who has seen me has seen Allah".
(Niyyah). The Perfect Man is the first in intention and desire through Allah, making him the intended aim and final cause of the creation of the world. From the side of creation all acts of obedience to Allah require purity of intention. Without pure intention there can be no sincerity of word or deed. Regardless of the outcome of the act it is still that initial intention which carries the weight. In reality, both the act and its result are Allah's!
(Al Fuqara). The indigents or the poor. This term refers to the spiritual poverty of travellers on the Sufi Path. These travelling murids who are in need of their Spiritual Guide or Murshid, display their poverty towards him, and in so doing, they make firm his poverty towards Allah.

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