The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

zulma
Darkness

(Thulmaa). Non-existence or nothingness is pure darkness. Creation is the isthmus between the Light of Allah and the darkness of non-existence.

See also: Deception Isthmus Light Light of Muhammad Non-existence Shadow Wrongdoing

(Makr). Allah's deception of His servant or the stratagem through which He tests mankind. Allah may give to a man the continuation of Divine favours despite that man's opposition to His command or Allah may grant knowledge to a servant but deprive him of the act of putting it into practice or Allah may grant the practice but deprive man of sincerity. The manifestation of signs or miracles without purpose or limit can also be a sign of Allah's makr. The Sufis are extremely wary of the Divine deception.
Deception

(Barzakh). Barrier or isthmus or separating partition. The barzakh is the symbol of an intermediate state. It is something which separates two other things while never going to one side. It is the barrier between the known and the unknown, the existent and the non-existent. Imagination is the most excellent barzakh in that it is 'neither this nor that', or 'both this and that', or the realm of 'He/not He' (Huwa/la Huwa). "It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed" (25:53) .
Isthmus

(Nur) is the created light which radiates from the Uncreated Light of Allah. When this light enters the heart it drives away the existent order thereby annihilating the inner eye from witnessing 'other-than-Allah'. For unveiling to take place the Light which comes from Allah must coincide with the light within the heart. If there is darkness within the heart, then it will not be able to match the Light from Allah. In such a case there is no unveiling, and Knowledge of Allah does not arrive in that heart. It is the Remembrance of Allah which polishes the heart and allows it to be filled with light. The Source of this Pure Light is the Absolute Darkness of the Essence Itself. The most complete and penetrating light is the light through which is unveiled what Allah means by the forms seen by the imagination in dreams.
Light

(Nur Muhammadiyya). "Allah took a handful of His Light and said 'Be! Muhammad'". From this pre-existent Light of Muhammad (nur Muhammadiyya) all of the spheres were created. It is the Light of Muhammad that enables the traveller to advance towards the Reality of Muhammad (al haqiqa al Muhammadiyyah). Without the cooling nature of this light the salik would not advance, or if he did advance he would be burned-up. The differentiation between the Light of Muhammad (nur Muhammadiyya) and the Reality of Muhammad (al haqiqat al Muhammadiyyah) is within the degrees of the descent of Being, from the Inward Non-manifestation of the Hidden Treasure to the outward manifestation of the cosmos.
Light of Muhammad

('Adam-i muhidh). Pure non-existence.
Non-existence

(Thill). Man is situated between the Sheer Light of Being and the utter darkness of non-existence, between good and evil. He is a mixture of light and darkness. The light which is within man derives from his own essence which is turned towards Allah. When man relates himself to Allah Almighty, Allah receives him. Light is that through which man perceives. When Allah discloses Himself to one of His lovers, it is the light perceiving the Light. Allah sees Himself. None sees Allah but Allah. The heart is overwhelmed by the Radiance of Allah's Light. Man carries this light within his own shadow. The Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha said, "I am from the Light of Allah and the whole world is from my light". The entire creation is the shadow of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace).
Shadow

(Thulm). This term indicates 'putting something in a place that is not worthy to receive it'. Speaking about the divine mysteries to one who is not capable of receiving them is not only a wrongdoing, but also a form of ignorance, spiritual immaturity and even arrogance and pride. The traveller must always strive in his emulation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha, who advises us to speak to people according to their level of understanding.
Wrongdoing
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