Sufism glossary
Tawassum
Tawassum (توسم) means “to discern signs, to perceive marks”. In Qur’anic usage it refers to the ability to read the signs of Allah in the universe, history, and within the self. It is a spiritual insight (firāsah) that penetrates beneath appearances and recognizes divine meaning.
- Qur’an: “Surely in this there are signs for those who discern (al-mutawassimīn).” Qur’an 15:75
- Function: Converts physical events into spiritual lessons. It allows a believer to transform ordinary experience into nourishment for the soul, deepening awareness of Allah’s wisdom and power.
Tafakkur
Tafakkur (تفكر) means “to reflect, to think deeply, to contemplate.” It is the deliberate use of the intellect to consider the creation of Allah, and through it to ascend from phenomena to their Divine Source.
- Qur’an: “Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying down, and reflect (yatafakkarūna) upon the creation of the heavens and the earth…” Qur’an 3:191
- Function: A conscious, meditative process of thought that awakens spiritual perception. It is not idle speculation but purposeful contemplation that turns observation into conviction of Allah’s oneness and purpose.
Tadabbur
Tadabbur (تدبر) means “to consider deeply, to look into the consequences, to ponder the outcome.” In the Qur’an it specifically refers to a reflective engagement with revelation—going beyond surface reading to grasp inner wisdom and purpose.
- Qur’an: “Do they not reflect deeply upon the Qur’an? Had it been from other than Allah, they would have found much contradiction in it.” Qur’an 4:82
- Function: A second stage beyond tafakkur. Where tafakkur examines creation, tadabbur penetrates revelation. It seeks the ʿāqibah (end result), drawing lessons for action and transformation of the self.
Tazakkur
Tazakkur (تَذَكُّر) means “to remember, to call to mind, to take admonition.” It is the conscious recollection of divine truths already known, and the act of internalizing them so they shape one’s conduct.
- Qur’an: “And it is He who made the night and the day follow each other—for whoever desires to remember (yadhdhakkar) or desires gratitude.” Qur’an 25:62
- Function: Tazakkur is the bridge between knowledge and practice. Where tafakkur and tadabbur uncover meaning, tazakkur keeps it alive in the heart, transforming awareness into mindfulness, gratitude, and obedience.
Hama az Ust
the Sufi concept of “Hama az Ust”, meaning “Everything is from God”. It is a spiritual state of perceiving that one’s temporary separation from God is an illusion.
This concept is paired with a related one, “Hama Doost”, meaning “Everything is for the Beloved God”. The main difference between the two is the practitioner’s path:
Hama az Ust: The individual longs for nothing but union with God.
Hama Doost: The individual remains content with the will of God, the Beloved.
Both concepts are part of a spiritual journey toward realizing unity with the divine through intense love.
Ranjhan
“Ranjhan” has multiple meanings depending on the context, but it most famously refers to the male lover in the Punjabi tragic love story of Heer and Ranjha. It can also mean “lover,” “beloved,” or a person who is “worthy of respect”.
- In the context of the legendary love story, Ranjha is the devoted male lover of Heer.
- By extension, “Ranjhan” is used by women to refer to their own male lover.
- It can also mean “beloved” or “sweetheart” more generally.
- In Urdu and Hindi, “Ranjhan” can mean a large earthen pot used for water. [
Other related meanings
- Ranjhna: A variant form that specifically means “lover who loves her lover despite all roadblocks”.
- Rujhan: A separate word that means “inclination,” “aptitude,” or “trend”.
AI responses may include mistakes.
[1] https://www.quora.com/Hindi-language-What-is-meaning-of-the-film-titled-Raanjhanna
[2] https://www.rekhtadictionary.com/meaning-of-raanjhan
[3] https://dict.hinkhoj.com/%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8-meaning-in-english.words
kaar-e digarast
The Persian phrase “kaar-e digarast” means “it is another matter” or “that is a different story”. It is often used to signal that a subject is a separate and distinct issue from the one currently being discussed.
Meaning and usage
- Separating topics: The phrase draws a distinction between two different points or situations. For example, if two people are discussing a simple issue, one might say kaar-e digarast to interrupt a conversation that is veering off into a more complex or unrelated subject.
- Emphasizing uniqueness: It can also emphasize that a situation is special or different from a standard case. In the context of Sufi poetry, it can refer to a deeper, more profound truth that comes from a “different” or unique source.
- Literary and poetic use: The phrase appears in Sufi and mystical Persian poetry, where it points to a divine or spiritual reality that is distinct from the mundane world. For example, the poet Hamidoddin Naagawri used the line “Kaarist waraai ‘elm raw aanraa baash” (There is a work beyond knowledge, realize that).
Breakdown of the words:
- Kaar-e: “Work” or “matter”
- Digar: “Another” or “different”
- Ast: “Is” (a linking verb)