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

mayl
Deviation

(Mayl) is that which is the opposite of straightness. The cosmos, being at the furthest point from the Source, is a place of deviation. Being the realm of multiplicity, opposites, deviation and disequilibrium it is in need of Divine Guidance. However, while looking at such deviation, the knowers see only the Unity of Allah.

See also: Animalistic man Disequilibrium Guidance Knowers of Allah Misguidance Perfect Man Straight Path Unity of Allah

Animalistic man ( al-insan al-hayawan )

(Insan al hayawan). This is man cast down to the 'lowest of the low'. Here he appears and acts as an animal in human form. He is in a state of gross disequilibrium, having not yet actualized the divine form which would make him a human being.

Disequilibrium ( inhiraf )

(Inhiraf). All spiritual illness are based upon an inner disequilibrium which has its root in the base character traits of the individual. Through spiritual struggle and the sincere turning to the Remembrance of Allah the base character traits may be transformed into noble ones. With the assuming of the noble character traits, equilibrium and harmony will be attained.

Guidance ( huda )

(Huda). It is Allah Who guides whoever He wants to Himself. The journey from the circumference to the Centre is under Divine Guidance and is specific to the people of yearning who travel the Spiritual Path. When He wants to join someone to Himself He guides them to His saints.

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.

Misguidance ( idlal )

(Idlal). Man has been given the choice as to which path he takes on the return journey to his Origin. In this life he can make the Journey of Return to his Sacred Centre under Divine Guidance which is manifested in the Prophets of Allah and His friends. But, he can be prevented from making the journey in this life due to Misguidance (Idlal) which is manifested in Satan and his friends.

Perfect Man ( al-insan al-kamil )

(Al Insan al Kamil). He is the viceregent of Allah, through whom Allah contemplates His Own Name-derived Perfection. The Perfect Man has actualized the divine form and in carrying the Trust has fulfilled his reason for being. It is through the Perfect Man that Allah enters the world. Al Insan al Kamil is also one of the names given to the Supreme Isthmus. Man consists of a body and a spirit which governs it. The cosmos also consists of a body and a spirit which governs it. Its spirit is the Perfect Man. Without him the cosmos is likened to a discarded body.

Straight Path ( sirat al-mustaqim )

(Sirat al mustaqim) is the Path laid down by the prescriptive Divine command in The Qur'an and the Sunna of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). It is the Path which leads man to felicity. This is the straightest and therefore the shortest way of Return to the Source.

Unity of Allah ( tawhid (tauhid) )

(Tawhid). The Declaration of Allah's Unity, 'There is no god other than Allah' is the very pivot of Islam. Knowledge of the Declaration of Allah's Unity is a light. Yet, Allah Himself is the affirmation of His Unity. Within the higher teaching all existence is One. The Sufis and the Verifiers have realized Allah's Unity within themselves. In itself, the Unity of Allah is divided into four categories. Unity of Actions, Unity of Attributes, Unity of the Names and Unity of the Essence. And "Allah created you and whatever actions you do" (Holy Qur'an 37:96).

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