The Language of the Future

Sufi Terminology by Murshid F.A. Ali ElSenossi

mahq
Obliteration

(Mahq). Obliteration indicates the obliteration and annihilation of the slave's being in the Essence of Allah.


See also: Effacement Effacement in affirmation

(Mahw). This indicates the annihilation of the slave's actions in the actions of Allah. Effactement is distinct from 'obliteration' in which the slave's very being is annihilated in the Essence Itself. Effacement is the removal of the attributes of habit and the elimination of the cause. The entity itself remains because it is only through one's own entity that one has knowledge of Allah. So, it is impossible for 'you' to be removed because Allah wants 'you' to know Himself. He does not remove you from yourself but rather He obliterates you from yourself so that you do not halt with the existence of your own entity. Then does the slave understand that his actions are in Reality the actions of Allah.
Effacement

(Mahw fi Ithbat). Obliteration in affirmation. The lover is completely at the behest of Allah. He is effaced in his affirmation. He does not desire anything other than what is desired for him. He is the object of the act not the Agent. His affirmation lies in the fact that the Sacred Law was prescribed for him. He never ceases to follow this prescription. His effacement within that affirmation lies in Allah's words, "Allah created you and what you do" (Qur'an 37:96) and "Nothing of the command belongs to you" (The Qur'an 3:128). The lover is the locus within which affairs take place.
Effacement in affirmation
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