<\/p>\n
Sufism<\/strong><\/p>\n www.islamreligion.com website<\/p>\n 2013 – 1434<\/p>\n Whether it\u2019s from a documentary on TV or a beautifully designed website, the majority have heard something about \u2018Sufis\u2019 and \u2018Sufism\u2019; programs on TV have aired, talk show hosts have made mention of them and politicians are taking a keen interest in this group\u2026 one has only to type the word \u2018Sufi\u2019 on any search engine to be overwhelmed with the videos and pictures that are available. \u00a0In cyberspace one can view images and videos of Sufi mystics and elders dancing in rhythmic forms to the background of vibrant melodies. \u00a0Disturbing images of mystic Sufi elders jabbing their heads with knives or submitting themselves to various means of torture are all too common as well. \u00a0One interested in Islam may get a wrong idea about Islam and Muslims, for to the occident \u2018Sufis\u2019 and \u2018Sufism\u2019 is just a synonym of Islam and Muslim.<\/p>\n The question that arises, are they really Muslims, and are they practicing Islam? Before jumping the gun, I have to make mention that there are many sites, articles and books that have been written and put together, but most talk about Sufism in an emotional manner, which will lead one to think that they are impartial.\u00a0 In this humble endeavor, I attempt to write about \u2018Sufism\u2019 in an informative manner, far from any biases.<\/p>\n Though only a tiny minority, Sufis can be found in many countries, Muslim and non-Muslim.\u00a0 But contrary to the belief that Sufism is one \u2018group\u2019, Sufism is divided into \u2018orders\u2019; each differs from the other in terms of belief and practice. \u00a0Some groups are larger than others, and others have gone to rest with the passage of time.\u00a0 Among the surviving groups today, there is the Tijaani order, the Naqshabandi order, the Qadiri order and the Shadthili order.<\/p>\n In its earliest form, Sufi teachings stressed that an individual should give more emphasis to the spiritual aspects of Islam, a result of many losing sight of this lofty goal of Islam.\u00a0 After a period of time, however, infamous Sufi elders introduced practices foreign to Islam which were welcomed by its followers. \u00a0Practices introduced included dancing, playing music, and even consuming hashish.<\/p>\n The Scholar Ibn al-Jawzi, wrote in his book \u2018Talbis Iblis\u2019 about the origin of the name used by this group, saying: \u2018They are called by this name in relation to the first person who dedicated his life to worship around the Ka\u2019bah, whose name was Sufah.\u2019<\/p>\n According to this, those who wanted to emulate him called themselves \u2018Sufis\u2019.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ibn al-Jawzi also mentions another reason, he said: \u2018they would wear woolen clothes.\u2019 Wool in Arabic is called \u2018soof\u2019 and woolen clothes were the sign of an ascetic during those times, since wool was the cheapest form of clothing and was very rough on the skin; in short it was a symbol of a asceticism.\u00a0 In any case, the word Sufi was not present at the time of Prophet Muhammad and his companions instead first appeared at about 200 Hijrah (200 years after the migration of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah).<\/p>\n The well known scholar, Ibn Taymiyyah, mentions that the first appearance of Sufism was in Basrah, Iraq, where some people went to extremes in worship and in avoiding the worldly life, such as not seen in other lands. [1]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n Sufism is a series of concepts and practices that range from poverty, seclusion, deception, depriving the soul, singing and dancing; and is based on a mix of many different religions and philosophies such as Greek philosophies, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, as well as Islam. \u00a0It is often referred to by Sufis themselves or by Orientalists as \u201cIslamic mysticism\u201d, in order to give the impression that Islam is either wholly or partly an dogmatic religion with a set of meaningless rituals. \u00a0The very nature of Sufism (or Tasawwuf<\/em>) opposes what a Muslim is to believe in, this will be explained further when I make mention of Sufi beliefs in general.<\/p>\n A Muslim always refers back to the Quran and narrations of Prophet Muhammad, may the blessing and mercy of God be upon him, called the Sunnah, in matters of religion.\u00a0 God tells us in the Quran:<\/p>\n \u201cIt is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when God and His Messenger have decided a matter, they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair.\u00a0 And whoever disobeys God and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.\u201d (Quran 33:36)<\/p>\n Prophet Muhammad stressed the importance of following the Quran and Sunnah and the danger of introducing any innovations into Islam.\u00a0 It is known that the Prophet said: \u201cWhoever does a deed which is not in accordance to my commands (i.e. the Islamic Law), it shall be rejected.\u201d (Saheeh Muslim<\/em>)<\/strong><\/p>\n Ibn Mas\u2019ood (a companion of the prophet), may God be pleased with him, said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Messenger of God, may the blessing and mercy of God be upon him, made a straight line on the ground with his hand, then he said, \u201cThis is the straight path of God.\u201d<\/strong> \u00a0Then he made a (short) line on each side of the straight line; then he said, \u2018These (short) lines, each one has a <\/strong>devil<\/strong> inviting people to it.\u201d<\/strong> Then he recited the verse (of the Quran):<\/p>\n \u201cAnd this is My path straight.\u00a0 So follow it, and do not follow (other) ways, lest they lead you away from My path.\u201d (Quran 6:153)<\/p>\n Saheeh: Reported by Ahmad and an-Nasaae\u2019e.<\/p>\n A Muslim therefore is required to obey God and His Messenger.\u00a0 This is the highest authority in Islam.\u00a0 One is not to blindly follow religious leaders; rather, we as humans are required to use the faculties given to us by God, to think and reason. \u00a0Sufism, on the other hand, is a binding order that strips one of free thought and personal discretion and puts him at the mercy of the Sheikh of the order\u2026 as it has been said by some Sufi elders, \u2018one must be with their Sheikh as a dead person is while being washed\u2019, i.e. one should not argue, or oppose the opinion of the Sheikh and must display total obedience and submission to him.<\/p>\n True Muslims are content with the name \u201cMuslim\u201d given to them by Almighty God, as He says:<\/p>\n \u201cHe has chosen you (to conform to His religion) and has imposed no difficulty upon you in religion, the religion of your father Abraham.\u00a0 He named you \u2018Muslims\u2019 both before (in the preceding Divine Scriptures) and in this Book.\u201d (Quran 22.78)<\/p>\n Sufis may insist that they are Muslims, but at the same time some insist on identifying themselves as Sufis rather than Muslims.<\/p>\n In short a Muslim believes in the Uniqueness of God. \u00a0He has no partner; no one is like unto Him. \u00a0God, Almighty, says:<\/p>\n \u201cThere is nothing like unto Him[2]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0and He is the all-Hearing and the all-Seeing.\u201d (Quran 42:11)<\/p>\n God is separate from His creation and not a part of it. He is the Creator, and all else is His creation.<\/p>\n Sufis hold a number of beliefs in relation to God, Almighty; of these beliefs are the following:<\/p>\n Mansoor al-Hallaaj, a figure much revered by Sufis, said: \u201cI am He Whom I love,\u201d he exclaimed, \u201cHe Whom I love is I; we are two souls co-inhabiting one body. \u00a0If you see me you see Him and if you see Him you see me.\u201d [3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\nIntroduction<\/h2>\n
Origin of Sufism<\/h2>\n
So what is Sufism?<\/h2>\n
Traits of a Muslim<\/h2>\n
Islamic Beliefs at a Glance: Belief in God<\/h2>\n
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