sufism: an introduction
sufism: an introduction
book content
- the origin and evolution of Sufism
- the early development
- into mysticism
- the formative period
- the chishti order
- the qadri order
- the suhrawardi order
- the naqshbandi order
- the firdausi order
- the sufi concept of meditation
- tasawwuf today
- glossary
- index
- selected bibliography
book introduction
This book is a historical survey of Sufism (tasawwuf) with specific reference to its spread throughout the Indian subcontinent.
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deals with the major Sufi orders, their distinguishing features, and the ideology and method of Sufism.
The goal of Tasawwuf, to put it briefly, is to attain God Realization.
god-realization produces all kinds of spiritual qualities.
Although the term Tasawwuf came into vogue as early as the 2nd century AD, Tasawwuf was actually an integral part of the believer’s life from the very beginning. Tasawwuf is, in fact, another name for the Islamic realization of god.
In later periods of Islamic history, the spread of Islam throughout the world was due less to the expansion of the Muslim empire than to the efforts of the Sufis.
The greatest achievement of the Sufis has been the painstaking development of a version of Islam that has been acceptable to all.
This version of Islam is free from all negative characteristics such as hatred, the desire for revenge and the need to perpetrate violence. it is rather characterized by love, compassion and charity.
This is why Sufism became so popular in the medieval world. if the ruling class can take credit for the political expansion of Islam, the Sufis can take credit for the spiritual expansion of Islam.
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Regarding the method, Tasawwuf places great emphasis on meditation. Sufis held that meditation actually existed in the form of reflection, contemplation, and pondering in the days of the prophet and his companions.
However, the Sufis made it a discipline. It is generally considered by religious scholars to be a deviation from true Islam, but Sufis do not subscribe to their views.
They think that meditation facilitates the attainment of the higher stages of tazkia, (purification of the self), ihsan (excellence in worship) and maarifah (god-realization), the goal of Islam. a glossary of Sufi terms has also been provided. farida khanam
evolution of Sufism
the meaning of the Sufi term
sufism (tasawwuf) is the name given to mysticism in Islam
. The term Sufism encompasses the philosophy and practices that aim at direct communion between God and man, and those who practice Sufism are called Sufis.
Scholars differ as to the derivation of the Sufi term, as it is not mentioned in the Qur’an or hadith books, nor does it figure in standard Arabic dictionaries compiled until the 8th century AD
According to Qushayri (d. 465/1074), author of al Risala, the word Sufi was used as a generic term to describe people who adopted a particular religious attitude based on austerity and spirituality, and came into use only at the beginning of the 9th century.
this explains it simply: ‘after the prophet muhammad, sahabi (companion) was the only title given to muslims of that period.
This was the highest title for them, and therefore they required no other title for their piety and religiosity.
the next generation who received religious education directly from the sahaba were called tabiin (followers of the companions), while the title taba tabiin (followers of the followers of the companions) was the title given to those who had received religious training from the tabiin.’
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according to khaliq ahmad nizami1, those who dedicated their lives to religious studies and religious devotion after the times of the tabii were called zahid – ‘the pious ones’ – and abid – ‘the servant (of allah)’. is
origin and evolution of Sufism
It is only in relation to successive generations that one comes across the term Sufi. according to abdur rahman jami2, citing earlier sources, the first spiritualist to receive the title sufi was shaykh abu hashim kufi (d. 776).3
Let’s examine the etymological meaning and origin of the term Sufi.
is made up of three Arabic letters: s-w-f, but there is a lot of controversy among scholars around it.
one view is that the word sufi is derived from the Arabic word saf, meaning line or row,
referring here to those early Muslim contemporaries of the prophet who stood in the front row during prayer, having arrived at the mosque on time.
Others hold that the word is derived from the word suffa, the verandah or portico of the mosque of the prophet in medina.
Traditions say that several of the prophet’s homeless companions stayed in this gallery.
They spent their time in worship, memorizing the verses of the Koran and memorizing the words of the prophet. they disassociated themselves from worldly activities.
The prophet and his companions took care of their needs. since the porch of the mosque had practically become their home, they were called ashaab-i suffa or “people of the porch”.
however, most scholars are of the opinion that the word sufi comes from the word suf, or wool. this is because most of the early pious people were inclined to asceticism and wore garments of coarse, undyed wool. the rough cloth symbolized voluntary poverty and renunciation of the world with all its pleasures.
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