The Language of the Future
Sufi Terminology
by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

hilya sharif
Ornament, Noble

(Hilya Sharif). A Noble ornament of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. These sacred works of art possess immense spiritual energy. In certain instances the high degree of barakah emanating from a hilya sharif was considered to be of such value to the artist that it could intercede for him on the Day of Resurrection.

See also: Boy Beautiful Means Spiritual energy

Beautiful ( husn )

(Husn). The most beautiful of Allah's creation is the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). He is the locus of every beautiful thing. 'Allah is Beautiful and He loves Beauty' and the Holy Prophet Muhammad is the Beloved of Allah. The one who is annihilated in The Messenger of Allah sees this Beauty in all things and at all times. For him the Reality of Muhammad fills the length and the breadth of existence.

Means ( wasila )

(Wasila) indicates the means through which man can come close to Allah. "Seek the means of approach to Him" (The Qur'an 5:35). The one and only wasila is the Holy Prophet Muhammad al Mustapha (May the Salutations of Allah be upon him and Peace). There is no other means to ascend from the physical realm to the Divine Presence. The seeker traverses the first stages of the Journey of Return to Allah with the direct aid and under the protection of his Murshid. These are the stages of spiritual struggle, ascetic discipline and abstinence. Through the Grace of Allah the murid may attain to annihilation in the Murshid. But, no one will meet Allah before meeting the Prophet. The murid can advance no further towards Allah Almighty unless he travels with the wasila. The lover does not reach Allah through being a lover. He only reaches Allah through being the Beloved of Allah, and there is only one Beloved of Allah and that is Muhammad al Mustapha. The only way up is within him. Because the Reality of Muhammad has been unveiled to the slaves and true followers of the Master Muhammad, they are drowned and annihilated in him. (The stairs to ascend to the top floor) Using the means - 'by the baraka of. . . '

Spiritual energy ( barakah )

(Barakah) is a subtle spiritual energy which flows through everything, but is strongest within the human. The more purified the human becomes, the greater the flow of barakah. Overpowering barakah can be experienced in sacred places, in sacred art and in sanctified people, all of which are theophanies, revealing and manifesting the Divinity - here on earth.

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