Ghurba (Separation)
Literally meaning the state of being a foreigner, homelessness, loneliness, separation, and being a stranger in one’s own…
Islamic Sufism
99 articles
Qalaq (Passion)
Literally meaning boredom with the place where one is and with the surrounding conditions, feeling discomfort as if…
Zawq and ‘Atash (Pleasure and Thirst)
Meaning the feeling of happiness and satisfaction, and enjoyment and amusement, zawq (pleasure) in Sufi terminology is one…
Barq (Lightning)
Barq (lightning) is a light that flashes in an initiate during the first steps of the journey toward…
Dahsha and Hayman (Amazement and Stupor)
While discussing ecstasy and willful rapture, we have mentioned the states of dahsha (utmost astonishment) and hayman (stupor).…
Wajd (Ecstasy)
Wajd (ecstasy) is overflowing with spiritual joy and enthusiasm, and rather than using reason, logic, or will, one…
Firasa (Discernment)
Firasa (discernment) can be defined as profundity, productivity and coherence in thought and the forming of opinions, the…
A History of Sufism for Western Readers
Among the general Western public, Sufism has often been confused with the mystical traditions of the Far East,…
Adab (Mannerliness)
Its meaning covers being sensible and reasonable, well-behaved, well-mannered, treating people kindly. Adab (mannerliness) is used in the…
Freedom (Hurriya)
The realization of every lawful desire without hindrance, freedom from any pressure, confinement, or subservience, the right to…
Riyada (Austerity)
Riyada (austerity), which we can describe as disciplining life, appetite and thirst, and sleeping and waking only in…
Faqr and Ghina (Poverty and Richness)
For Sufis, poverty means that an initiate claims possession of nothing and is freed from all kinds of…
Qabd and Bast (Contraction and Openness)
Qabd (contraction) and bast (openness), emotions felt by almost everyone during their lives, relate especially to those who…
Dahsha and Hayra (Utter Astonishment and Amazement)
Every traveler journeying in the valleys of love and zeal sometimes burns with the fire of love, and…
Jadhba and Injidhab (Attraction and the Feeling of Being Attracted toward God)
In the language of Sufism, jadhba (attraction) means that a servant is attracted toward God by God Himself,…