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

'ilm-i-qiyam
Knowledge of Allah's standing

('Ilm al Qiyam). Knowledge of Allah's standing as the slave's Observer. This is a precious knowledge in which the slave is kept in constant awareness of Allah.


See also: Presence Presence and absence Servitude Slave Standing in a state of straightness
(Hadra). Presence or world or plane or level. Hadra also refers to the gathering where the collective remembrance of Allah is performed.
(Hudur wa ghaybah). This is presence with Allah and absence from oneself. When Allah is there, you are not. When you are there, Allah is not. The Holy Prophet Muhammad said, 'The prayer without you is better than seventy'. May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace.
('Ubada). Servitude and bondage. This is the fulfilment and consummation of slavehood ('ubudiyya) when the slave loses himself in the Will of his Lord. 'Ubada is 'the Nearness of obligatory works' which is one of the four stations of Perfection. To realize 'ubuda is to be gifted with a very high degree of Knowledge of Allah. To know that 'the slave is the slave and the Lord is the Lord' is the supreme form of spiritual courtesy towards Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace) is the Beloved of Allah and His Chosen One. No one is more perfect than him. No one can attain to his Knowledge. Yet Allah says in The Qur'an, "Glory be to Him Who carried His slave by night" (17:1). The slave is in bondage ('ubuda). Bondage is Perfection. Bondage is Knowledge.
('Abd). The slave (and worshipper) is the one who is in a state of total and utter submission to the Will of Allah. After having been annihilated in Allah where all duality vanished and distinctions were erased, he returns to creation with perfect courtesy and with the Truth of Certainty that 'the Lord is the Lord and the slave is the slave'. When 'abd is translated as 'servant' it carries the implication that the servant can leave the service of his Master, if he so desires. However, the 'slave' is in total bondage, being utterly dependent upon his Master. All buying and selling transactions have been terminated. The slave belongs to Allah, completely, perfectly and unconditionally.
(Iqamat). The slave stands straight before his Lord, without deviation or crookedness or swerving. He is steadfast and present with his Lord.

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