sufism

[Rambo]

Sufism is the form which has taken in Islam. The term Sufism embraces the philosophy and practices in Islam which aims at direct communion between God and man.

The Islamic values of love, peace and kindness, embodied in the Prophet of Islam were embraced by Sufis. They devoted their lives to spreading these virtues all around the world.

The original intention of Sufism was to deliver man from slavery to worldly passions by destroying the power of the flesh and uniting souls to God by ties. The Sufi movement's origins lie in asceticism. In one sense self-denial was a reaction to the worldliness of some of the faithful who were absorbed in the pursuit of worldly goals. Sufis felt the need to help the poor and the helpless. During the reign of the Abbasids a rich minority enjoyed all the comforts of life, while the majority lived as poor peasants and labourers.

Sufis reiterated that God was all-loving and all-merciful; that God wants people to love one another, be merciful and compassionate. They raised such questions as how we are justified in expecting love and compassion from God, while we have nothing to offer to our fellow- men but hate and ill will. Sufis spread the message of harmony, brother-hood, peace and friendship.

The Sufis hold that despairing of love and mercy is a greater fault than committing sin. For, as we learn from traditions, everything in life is mortal, except for God and good deeds. All worldly things are characterised by impermanence. Good deeds alone can bring us salvation. The says: "Do not despair of My mercy. God turns to those who repent and surrender themselves to Him" (39.54).

Shaykh Nizamuddin Awliya devoted his life in saving mankind from sin and suffering. He believed that, in the eyes of God, no deed was of greater significance than freeing fellow human beings from their misery and helping the helpless. Once someone asked Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti what was the highest form of religious devotion in the eyes of God. He replied: "Develop river-like generosity, sun-like bounty and earth-like hospitality".

Love is most important. Sufis conceive God as the beloved and man as the lover. According to Ibn Arabi, no ranks higher than the religion of love. Love is the source and the essence of all creeds. Therefore, a Sufi thinks that all the evil thoughts which breed dislike, hatred and religious division and prejudice must be replaced by love. When he has come to his last stage of enlightenment, his self is annihilated in the complete sense. This is the stage when he comes closer to God, and naturally he becomes a servant to God's people. He rises above vested interests, above all biases and predilections. A realised Sufi has no other interest but his love of God and world brotherhood.

Love of God is a process that purifies the human perso-nality. That is, the soul comes to realise itself, in the sense that the latent natural potential of the soul is ultimately awakened and, in the words of the Qur'an, it becomes the 'serene' or 'pure soul'. A heart filled with God's love will necessarily be filled with the love of other human beings, all the creatures of God. As Bayazid Bistami says: "A Sufi belongs to the sect of God".

[Rambo]

my question is why is sufism disliked by some muslims

[AmroodWaala]

Rambo said

my question is why is sufism disliked by some muslims

to Rambo:

Nasha pila ke girana tu sab ko ata hai
Maza tu jab hai kay girtu ko thaam lay Saaqi

Kati hai raat tou hungama gustri main teri
Seher kareeb hai, Allah ka naam lay Saaqi

--Iqbal

[Rambo]

^ i dont get what you mean?

[Abdul_Karim]

Rambo said

my question is why is sufism disliked by some muslims

Because, generally speaking, Sufism is filled with beliefs and practices that have no justification in the Qur'an or Sunnah.

[Wolfn]

Abdul_Karim said

Because, generally speaking, Sufism is filled with beliefs and practices that have no justification in the Qur'an or Sunnah.

Also, don't Sufis like worship their Scholars?

[Salika]

Wolfn said

Also, don't Sufis like worship their Scholars?

No they don't.

[LEGALEAGLE]

tasawuff isn't for everyone so your question has no relevance. it makes as much sense as saying i don't like beta-blockers if you've never needed or will need to take them.

[Rambo]

i really like the spritual side of sufism. sufis have helped spread islam the most compared to other groups. In my opinion in groups like salafis the spritual side is really lacking

[Jaysh]

Rambo said

i really like the spritual side of sufism. sufis have helped spread islam the most compared to other groups. In my opinion in groups like salafis the spritual side is really lacking

What spiritual side? Explain what you mean by this. I think Sufis certainly say they are spiritual. But other than just saying that they are spiritual, how are they any more spiritual than Salafis? Is it just a matter of saying "we are spiritual"? Please define exactly how Sufis are more spiritual. Ten bucks says that you will either not be able to pinpoint any thing at all, or if you can, it will be a bidah that the Prophet [s] did not ever do.

[Revert]

Wolfn said

Also, don't Sufis like worship their Scholars?

Bro you need to stop listening to others and crack open a few books.

[Rambo]

Jaysh said

What spiritual side? Explain what you mean by this. I think Sufis certainly say they are spiritual. But other than just saying that they are spiritual, how are they any more spiritual than Salafis? Is it just a matter of saying "we are spiritual"? Please define exactly how Sufis are more spiritual. Ten bucks says that you will either not be able to pinpoint any thing at all, or if you can, it will be a bidah that the Prophet [s] did not ever do.

being spritual means not caring for the duniya that much, its a total devotion to Allah. Ofcourse it really depends on the person it self but the sufi scholars teach their students to be spritual

know i am not saying all salafis are not spritual but many i have seen are just going after this duniya's wants and desires.

[Sim]

Abdul_Karim said

Because, generally speaking, Sufism is filled with beliefs and practices that have no justification in the Qur'an or Sunnah.

wrong.

Jaysh said

What spiritual side? Explain what you mean by this. I think Sufis certainly say they are spiritual. But other than just saying that they are spiritual, how are they any more spiritual than Salafis? Is it just a matter of saying "we are spiritual"? Please define exactly how Sufis are more spiritual. Ten bucks says that you will either not be able to pinpoint any thing at all, or if you can, it will be a bidah that the Prophet [s] did not ever do.

explain - in brief - what a sufi is first. if you understand what a sufi is and understand what the science of taswwuf is about by definition - then you'll understand why they are "spiritual"

[Abu_Hind]

If you are looking for an authentic work on authentic tasswuf, try shaykhul islam Muhiyuddeen abdal qadir jilani's 'al-ghunya' (try to get urdu translation by hafiz mubashar lahori). The english translation by Muhtar Holland is far from reliable.

Also, as far as I know "Tassawuf" as a science is for advanced students of knowledge who learn it from a shaykh. So, I don't understand this modern fad of joining a tariqah, " oh masha Allah masha Allah shaykh nazim.." "...oh when I go to kharabsheh I feel a spirirtual high...". Stuff like that?

I don't get it. It's strange because tassawuf without sound knowledge of fiqh and aqidah can be very misleading.

[Revert]

Abu_Hind said

If you are looking for an authentic work on authentic tasswuf, try shaykhul islam Muhiyuddeen abdal qadir jilani's 'al-ghunya' (try to get urdu translation by hafiz mubashar lahori). The english translation by Muhtar Holland is far from reliable.

Also, as far as I know "Tassawuf" as a science is for advanced students of knowledge who learn it from a shaykh. So, I don't understand this modern fad of joining a tariqah, " oh masha Allah masha Allah shaykh nazim.." "...oh when I go to kharabsheh I feel a spirirtual high...". Stuff like that?

I don't get it. It's strange because tassawuf without sound knowledge of fiqh and aqidah can be very misleading.

PM Liam_Saiful_Din he might be able to explain it to you insha'Allah

Personally I don't feel comfortable in a Tariqa situation but I do enjoy reading Sufi literature, Iike poetry and such.