(Abu'l waqt). He is the one to whom Time is subservient, directing the affairs of the world by his will.
(Af'al). Human actions or deeds. Allah created man, but to what extent did He create man's actions and works? This question of free will and predestination should not be a major concern to the traveller to Allah. He must occupy his time and devote hi...
(Ahl al 'Asm). The people of great resolution are the ones who direct all their efforts and time towards their Only Goal - Allah. They are also called 'The People of great spiritual resolve and aspiration' (Ahl al Himma).
('Alam al Amr). Spiritual World or the Universe of Command. The Realm which is without time and matter. The world of command is that which takes its existence from Allah without secondary cause.
('Alim). The one who knows. This term derives from the word 'knowledge' ('ilm). Usually it refers to the exoteric scholars, though sometimes 'alim is used in reference to 'those who know Allah'. The 'one who knows' is the one whom Allah causes to wit...
(Anqa/Simurgh). The mythical griffon or phoenix which dwells on Mount Qaf. It is the greatest of birds and lives at the world's end. It symbolizes the wind in and with which Allah spiritually opens the material bodies of the world. It is a symbol of ...
(Al 'Aqab). This symbolizes the Pen which is the First Intellect . It is the first and highest creation of Allah. It is sometimes referred to as the Light of Muhammad.
The plain outside Mecca where all pilgrims observe the Day of Standing. "Arafat is Hajj". Arafat represents the time of Divine knowledge and nearness to Allah when the slave stands in the Presence of the Unity of Allah, associating no partner with Al...
(Aw adna). This term implies Union and disappearance in Allah. It is the final stage in the ascension to Allah, coming after the stage of Qaba Qawsayn ('Two Bows' Length'). It is purely through the Grace of Allah that the station of 'Or Nearer' is at...
(Bab) Door or gate. Sitting patiently, with total respect and utter humility, at Allah's door, is the work within tariqa. While knocking on Allah's door the murid waits mindfully, never distracted, in readiness for whatever Allah Wills for him. The l...
(Baqa). Subsistence with Allah for perpetuity. After the stage of annihilation in Allah, Allah either keeps His slave in this Station of stations or He sends him back to the world to perfect the still imperfect ones. Abiding is the slave's return to ...
(Bid'at). What is innovation? Transgressing the limits of the Divine Law, belittling the science of the Prophet (saw) and following one’s own opinion and whims, and abandoning the footsteps and the method of luminations. The People of Allah, those ...
(Bida't Hasana). A good and praiseworthy innovation, which in no way opposes the Sacred Law, but in fact reveals more of its profound beauty at an appropriate moment in time.
(Buruz). Exteriorization or 'bringing out into the open'. Buruz is a friend of Allah's ability to be present at different places at the same time.
(Dahr). Allah is Time. He is a beginningless and endless 'Day' without night-time or daytime, but the properties of His Names and Attributes divide His 'Day' into many days. These are called the 'Days of Allah'. The attributes of these days are self...
