(Ijtihad). Outwardly this takes the form of individual endeavour to learn knowledge of the Sacred Law (shari'a). Inwardly the efforts of the individual are directed towards self-purification in order to gain Knowledge of Allah. Such a striving (ijti...
(Al Ilahiyyat). The root and origin of every existent thing is Allah. Each entity comes from within Allah's Knowledge. The cosmos itself is nothing but the manifestation of the Hidden Treasure. It is the manifestation of Allah's Names. Even though t...
('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...
(Imkan). Allah is All-Possibilty and Allah is Infinite and Eternal and Absolute. Possibility (imkan) is contained within Allah, the Necessary Being, Who recreates the cosmos in a new form in every instant. Unlimited possibilities come into being wit...
(Iqbal). 'Receive' or 'turn towards'. When Allah created the Intellect He said to it 'Receive' (iqbal) (or 'turn towards [Me]'.) When it had received He said to it 'Transmit' (or 'turn away [from Me]') and it transmitted. The First Intellect is synon...
(Istidlal) is the lower of the two ways leading to knowledge of Allah. The higher way is that of the friends of Allah; i.e. unveiling, tasting, opening, insight and witnessing.
(Istilah). Each science has its own unique terminology through which the people of that science communicate with each other. The newcomer to that science must be taught the terminology which is relevant to his field of study. Tasawwuf, the Science o...
(Ittihad). 'Unificationism' or the 'coming together of two things'. Ittihad is considered to be an heretical doctrine in that it presupposes the existence of two independent beings, and this is in contradiction to the concept of Unity of Existence or...
(Jaza'). The next world is the abode of recompense. Wretchedness and felicity become manifest there.
(Jism). Man consists of a body and a spirit which governs that body. In being referred to as 'the great man' the cosmos is also a body containing a spirit which governs it. The spirit of the cosmos is the Perfect Man. The bodies of the Prophets of A...
(Al Kalam). When Allah is the Speaker, (and in Reality He is always the Speaker) Al Kalam refers to His Speech. Allah breathes out, and while breathing He speaks. Every word appears for an instant then is reabsorbed into Allah. And the words of Alla...
(Kana Maktub). This phrase indicates that fate or destiny has been written by the Pen upon the Preserved Tablet, and the ink is dry. There is no changing it.
(Karb) is that metaphysical state of pressure and yearning for release which occurs for non-existent entities just before their creation. It is the divine sigh of the Nafas ar-Rahman, the Breath of the All Merciful, which brings relief and removes th...
(Khalil). He is the one who has been thoroughly penetrated by Allah and become His intimate friend. Such was the exalted station of the Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him).
(Khalil ar Rahman). The friend who has been thoroughly penetrated by the Merciful. Allah's Mercy pours down in abundance upon such a friend, penetrating his entire being and making of him a slave through whom the Divine Mercy flows into the manifest ...
