('Eid al Fitr). When the traveller observes the inward fast by striving to purify his thoughts, words, deeds and heart, and when through such striving he succeeds in abstaining from everything that is 'other-than-Allah', he then breaks his fast on la...
(Ihsan). Excellence or perfection or sanctifying virtue or spiritual beauty. Ihsan has three degrees: 1).To do the good that should be done with one's property, words, acts and states. 2). To worship with total presence like one was actually seeing ...
('Ilm) is the analytical and indirect knowledge which results from investigation and study. 'Ilm is contrasted with ma'rifa, the direct knowledge which occurs through the experiences of tasting (dhawq), opening (fath) and unveiling (kashf). Generally...
(Iltidhadh) refers to the pleasure (ladhadha) which is experienced in the encounter between lover and Beloved. Allah jealously guards and protects His lovers. Part of this jealousy is Allah's keeping the lovers at a distance from Himself, for a time,...
(Iqamat as-Salat). Standing for the obligatory prayer. At such a time all Supererogatory acts of worship are forbidden.
(Al Isra'). The Night Journey of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). While mounted on the heavenly steed Buraq (Lightning) the Holy Prophet travelled at a speed outside of time, from the Sacred Mosque in Me...
(Istishab). The intensity of yearning and longing for the absent Beloved increases the bliss of meeting Allah. The traveller who has unceasing companionship with the Murshid runs the risk of falling into a familiarity which may lead to disrespect. ...
(Jalwa). The knower ('Arif) is the one who observes the spiritual retreat (Khalwa) while being engaged in everyday activities within society (Jalwa). During such a time, when he is present with Allah, he finds inexpressible sweetness (Halawa). Such ...
(Al Jannah) is nearness to Allah. There are times in this life when Paradise may be experienced to a very high degree such as when the hearer is overwhelmed by ecstasy during the Spiritual Concert or when the intensity of the spiritual affinity exist...
(Al Jawhar al Thabit) is also known as the Cloud and the Breath of the All Merciful. However, sometimes it is said that the Cloud is not altogether identical with the Breath because the Cloud comes into existence through the Breath.
(Khalwa). The spiritual retreat and seclusion. Initially spiritual retreat is undertaken by physically withdrawing from those outside disturbances which have the potential of distracting one in his contemplation of Allah's Names and Attributes. Ulti...
(Labbayak). These words are on the lips and in the heart of the slave at his time of entry into the Sacred City of Mecca when performing the pilgrimage (Hajj). He is extremely near to Allah at this point in his journey, having been stripped of everyt...
(Ladhdha). This is the pleasure which is experienced in the encounter between the lover and the Beloved. It is a pleasure resulting from distance and separation. The intensity of yearning and longing for the absent Beloved increases the bliss of mee...
(Laylat al Mi'raj). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace), the slave of Allah ('Abdullah), was 'taken' to the Divine Presence on this 'night'. The word 'night' indicates that moment which is outside of time wh...
(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' .
