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

liwa' al-hamd
Banner of Praise

(Liwa al Hamd). This is the Banner which will belong to the Holy Prophet Muhammad on the Day of Resurrection. The Banner of Praise is his banner because his praise, which is none other than The Qur'an, is the complete and most elevated of all praises. All praises are gathered together in his praise - (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace).

See also: Ahmad All Praise be to Allah Beloved of Allah If not for you, if not for you (Oh Muhammad)

Ahmad ( AHMAD )

This is the celestial name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). Ahmad is 'the most praiseworthy of those who praise Allah'. His praise, which is none other than The Qur'an, is the complete and most elevated of all praises. All praises are gathered together in his praise. When he was asked, "Are you the One?" the Holy Prophet answered, "No! I am Ahmad without the M". On his Ascension to the Divine Presence he heard the words, "Stop, Oh Muhammad, your Lord is praising you". Before this stage he was 'the most praiseworthy of those who praise Allah'. Then he became 'the praised one'.

All Praise be to Allah ( alhamdulillah )

(Alhamdulillah). It is not possible for man to praise Allah as He should be praised, for He is "the Lord of Inaccessibility, above what they describe" (The Qur'an 37:180). Our inability to praise Allah is our praise of Allah.

Beloved of Allah ( habibullah )

(Habibullah). This blessed name is proper only to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). No one reaches Allah by being a lover, only by being the Beloved, and it is for this very reason that 'No one will meet Allah before meeting the Prophet'. The lover must be annihilated in the Beloved of Allah, (fana' fi-rasul) before attaining annihilation in Allah (fana' fillah).

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