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

kawn (ka'inat)
Engendered existence

(Kawn/Ka'inat). Existence comes from Allah's Word "Be!" ("Kun!"). Allah, as the Divinity, is perpetually with engendered existence, but, engendered existence is not perpetually with Allah. The entire spiritual work of the higher teaching is directed towards being in a perpetual state of presence with Allah. Allah's friends, the Awliya, witness Allah constantly. Their witnessing is a joining which does not turn into a separation, just as knowledge does not turn into ignorance.

See also: Engendered things Fixed Entities Knowers of Allah Perpetual Presence of Allah Union

Engendered things ( ka'inat (kawn) )

(Mukawwanat)). These are the creations which have been brought into existence through Allah's Word of Command "Kun!" and which will leave this world when their stay here is terminated. It is within the Cloud, which is the Supreme Isthmus, that form is given by the Giver of Forms, Al Musawwir, to all of the existents or engendered things. Every existent becomes manifest within the Cloud.

Fixed Entities ( al-a'yan al-thabita )

(Ayan al Thabita). The immutable entities or fixed prototypes or established essences or potentialities. These are the infinite and immutable Possibilities which are fixed in the Ipseity. The fixed entities are the images of the Divine Names and Qualities and 'things' of the Ipseity in the Presence of Knowledge, with specific individuation. The term signifies the essential character of every individual existing from eternity in the Divine Knowledge. They are established according to non-existence and they are not qualified by existence.

Knowers of Allah ( 'arifin )

(Al 'Arifin/'Urufa). They see and recognize Allah wherever they look. The knowers are bewildered. But this is not the bewilderment of being lost, rather it is the bewilderment of having found Allah. They know that He cannot be known. The knowers are nothing because they are everything.

Perpetual Presence of Allah ( dawam-i-Hudur )

(Dawam al Hudur). The Perpetual Presence of Allah. It is 'here' and 'now' that His slaves stand, in abject poverty and need, and with overwhelming awe and love. In this Presence they are oblivious to all that is other-than-Allah, because, for them, there is nothing but Allah. All is Allah!

Union ( wasl )

(Wasl/Wusul). Union or joining. This term contains the idea of duality because of the joining, or union, between two. In complete union there is no duality whatsoever. Therefore, wasl is inferior to complete union. Through being the Divinity, Allah is perpetually in a state of wasl with engendered existence. "He is with you wherever you are" (The Qur'an 57:4).

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