(Musalli). He who performs the prayer. Initially it is man himself who performs the prayer. Through spiritual struggle, spiritual resolve, love, yearning and Allah's Infinite Grace, man's lower self is transformed into his Higher Self. Then his praye...
(Nafila -pl. Nawafil). The supererogatory works (nawafil) are derived from the obligatory works which are their roots. A nafila is an act of worship and service through which the slave draws ever-closer to his Lord. Mankind is the supererogatory wor...
(Ar Rasikhun fil 'ilm). These are the divine sages who possess correct knowledge of themselves and their Lord and Master, Allah. When their Master, Allah Commands them to do something they occupy themselves totally until the task is achieved. On com...
(Riya'). Ostentation or hypocrisy or showing-off. Spiritual states are gifts from Allah and spiritual stations are earned. The descent of the states and the acquiring of the stations is through Allah's Grace and His Mercy. Riya' is one of the greates...
(Sahib al sirr). Such a man is the friend of Allah who has torn through the veils and has found that secret which cannot be revealed. 'If the reality of the Sufi was to be unveiled he would be worshipped'.
(Sajda pl. Sujud). The sajda, which is the culminating position in the ritual prayer, is the supreme symbol of humility, surrender and unconditional love of Allah. The slave and worshipper is annihilated in the One. When the heart prostrates, it neve...
(Salat) refers particularly to the ritual prayer. It is a connection between the slave and his Lord. The ritual ablution which precedes the salat symbolizes the separation from the self. The salat itself symbolizes the joining to Allah. The seven bod...
(Shath). An ecstatic utterance is spoken while the ecstatic is in a state of spiritual intoxication. To the outsider his utterance may appear to contradict the Sacred Law, to be pretentious, thoughtless and even verging on associating partners with A...
(Shawq). Intense longing and yearning for the Beloved. Shawq is a yearning to behold the Beloved, and a longing for nearness to the Beloved, and a longing for union with the Beloved, and an intense longing for increase in perpetual longing. It is sai...
(Shirk Khafi). The great idol of all worship is the 'I-ness' or 'existence' of the worshipper. Until his existence is annihilated in That Which Truly Exists, Allah, he will be guilty of Hidden Association.
(Tabattul) is a characteristic of the Men of Allah who are known as the worshippers.
(Talib Allah). He who seeks Allah. The one who knows seeks nothing but Allah. His love, his yearning, his worship, his life, his death are purely, totally and unconditionally for Allah Almighty. He is the slave of Allah.
(Tama'). As long as self-interest exists there can be no sincerity. Worship through tama' is performed with the expectation of reward. Worship inspired by sincerity is service to Allah.
('Ubbad). The worshippers are those who are dominated by renunciation and constant devotion. There are three types of Men of Allah: the worshippers, the Sufis, and the Verifiers who are the People of Blame.
('Ubbad ul waqt). These are the knowers who worship Allah in every moment of Time. Self-disclosure never repeats itself. In each moment Allah reveals Himself anew. Therefore the worshippers of the moment never limit or restrict Allah in any moment of...
