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

maqam
Spiritual Station

(Maqam). A spiritual station is acquired and earned through the effort and sincerity of the traveller, but such an acquisition is ultimately through the Grace of Allah. A station is a 'fixed' quality of the self, in contrast to the fleeting nature of a spiritual state (hal). When the traveller ascends to a higher maqam he does not 'leave' the lower one but rather he travels with it. Once the noble qualities pertaining to a specific station are acquired they become firmly fixed and remain with him in his endless ascent.

See also: Abode Earnings No station Spiritual Stations State Tongue of the Spiritual State Waystation

Abode ( mawtin )

(Mawtin) is that place where the traveller takes up his residence. He is content and fulfilled and has no desire to continue travelling further.

Earnings ( makasib )

(Makasib). The spiritual stations are referred to as earnings because they result from the sincere endeavour and intense spiritual resolve of the traveller. The spiritual states are called bestowals, being purely gifts of Divine Grace.

No station ( la maqam )

(La maqam). This is the 'station of no station'. This 'station of no station' is the highest station reached by the People of Perfection who manifest the Name 'Allah'. They have passed beyond all states and stations and are the true Muhammadan heirs. They have passed beyond both Majesty and Beauty and have no attribute and no description. They are not determined by properties. The People of 'no station' are the Divine Ones. The Real is identical with them. The Muhammadan heirs have no goal because their vastness is the Vastness of Allah Himself Who has no goal in Himself which might ultimately be reached. The People of 'no station' witness only Allah - Allah, the Infinite, the Eternal, the Absolute.

Spiritual Stations ( maqamat )

(Maqamat). These stations are the necessary foundation for actualizing human perfection and must be passed through on the Journey of Return to Allah. Maqamat are earnings which have been acquired through spiritual struggle. The People of Perfection have passed beyond the stations to the most exalted station of 'no station' (la maqam).

Tongue of the Spiritual State ( lisan al-hal )

(Lisan al Hal). These are the words which issue from the Knower or Lover when he is under the domination of his state. An example is the famous utterance "I am the Truth". But, in reality, everything in the cosmos speaks with the tongue of its state.

Waystation ( manzil )

(Manzil). A station in which the traveller alights for a time, before moving onwards. If he does not pass this manzil it becomes an 'abode' .

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