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

maut
Death

(Mawt). This refers to that type of death which is the removal of oneself from one specific condition to another condition. Within the higher teaching there are four deaths which the traveller (salik) must undergo on his Journey to Allah. These are the red death which is connected to controlling one's anger and refraining from retaliation; the white death which is connected to hunger, asceticism and a moderate way of life; the green death which is connected to the discarding of outward self-adornment and the assumption of inner adornment through the beautiful character traits (husn al akhlaq); and the black death which is connected to a selfless attitude of love and compassion to all of the creation, regardless of their ingratitude or hostility. All of these deaths take place through the spiritual struggle of the traveller.

See also: Beautiful character traits Spiritual Struggle Traveller

Beautiful character traits ( husn al-akhlaq )

(Husn al Akhlaq). The beautiful character traits with which the Holy Prophet Muhammad was sent and of which he is the perfect embodiment. The assuming of these beautiful character traits is the alchemical work of the Islamic Spiritual Path. Under the direction of a qualified Master (Murshid, Shaykh, Pir) the disciple (murid/seeker) is given the means by which he can transform his base character traits into the beautiful and noble ones and, in so doing, fulfill his 'reason for being'.

Spiritual Struggle ( mujahadah )

(Mujahadah). The spiritual struggle and endeavour against the passions and downward-pulling tendencies of the lower self. Mujahadah is the ceaseless combat called the Greater Holy War. The war is fought with the celestial weapons of the Remembrance of Allah. The mature ones of the Path, those who 'know Allah', say that mujahadah is child's play! The real work of Men is Divine Knowledge.

Traveller ( musafir )

(Musaffir) is the traveller (salik) who understands invisible things through the analogy of visible ones, thereby swimming from the shore of this world to the further shore.

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