| Introduction
|
Tasawwuf Sufism |
Sufi Symbols
|
What Is Sufi ?
|
|
Sufi Way
|
Sufi Message |
Sufi
Mission
| Sufi Meditation
|
Tasawwuf or sufism, Tasawwuf or
sufi
Tasawwuf or
sufism Khwaja Garib Nawaz Ajmer,Tasawwuf or sufi,Tasawwuf or sufi.
Tasawwuf or sufism (the translation
usually preferred in the West) is the name of the ways sufis follow
to reach God, the Truth. While the term tasawwuf usually expresses
the theoretical or philosophical aspect of the search for truth, its
practical aspect is usually referred to as ‘being a dervish.’
Tasawwuf has been defined in many ways.
According to some, tasawwuf
is Almighty God’s annihilating man with respect to his ego and self-centredness
and then reviving him spiritually with the lights of His Essence; in
other words, God’s annihilating man with respect to his own will and
then directing him by His Own Will.
Another approach to tasawwuf sees it as the continuous striving to
be rid of all kinds of bad maxims and evil conduct and acquiring
virtues. Junayd al-Baghdadi, a famous Sufi master, defines tasawwuf
as a way by which to recollect ‘self-annihilation in God’ and
‘permanence or subsistence with God.’ Shibli’s definition is
summarized as being always together with God or in His ever-presence
while aiming at nothing worldly or even other-worldly.
Abu Muhammad Jarir describes it as resisting the temptations of the
carnal self and bad moral qualities and acquiring laudable moral
qualities. There are some who describe tasawwuf as seeing behind the
[outward] reality of things and events and interpreting whatever
happens [in the world] in relation with God Almighty.
Then, by
regarding every act of the Almighty as a window to ‘see’ Him, living
one’s life in continuous effort to view or ‘see’ Him with a
profound, spiritual ‘seeing’ indescribable in physical terms, and
living in profound awareness of being continually overseen by Him.
All the accounts just given can be summed up as follows: Tasawwuf
means that by being freed from the vices and weaknesses particular
to human nature and acquiring angelic qualities and conduct pleasing
to God, one lives one’s life in accordance with the requirements of
knowledge and love of God and in the spiritual delight that comes
thereby.
Tasawwuf is based on observing the rules of Shari‘a down to good
manners and penetrating their (inward) meaning. An initiate or
traveler upon the path (salik) who can succeed in this never
separates the outward observance of Shari‘a from its inward
dimension and carries out all the requirements of both the outward
and inward dimensions of religion. Through such observance, he
travels toward the goal in utmost humility and submission.
Tasawwuf is a path leading to knowledge of God and is a way
demanding solemnity [of bearing and purpose]. There is no room in it
for negligent or frivolous manners. It requires that the initiate
should, like a honeybee flying from the hive to flowers and from
flowers to the hive, continuously strive in pursuit of knowledge of
God.
He should purify his heart from all attachments other than
seeking God, and resist all inclinations and desires and appetites
of his carnal self. He should also lead his life at a spiritual
level with a readiness to receive Divine blessings and inspirations
and in strict observance of the Prophetic example. Sincerely
admitting attachment and adherence to God as the greatest merit and honour, he should renounce his own desires for the sake of the
demands of God, the Truth.
After these [preliminary] definitions, we should discuss the aim,
benefits and principles of tasawwuf: Tasawwuf requires strict
observance of the religious obligations and austerity in life-style,
the renunciation of animal appetites. Tasawwuf aims, by purifying
man’s heart and employing his senses and faculties in the way of
God, to live a life at the spiritual level.
Tasawwuf also enables
man, through constant performance of the acts of worshipping God, to
deepen his consciousness of being a servant of God. It enables him
to renounce the world with respect to its transient dimension and
the face of it that is turned to human desires and fancies, and
awakens him to the other world and to the face of this world that is
turned toward the Divine Beautiful Names.
The benefit of Tasawwuf is that man develops the angelic dimension
of his existence and acquires a strong, heart-felt and experienced
conviction of the truths and articles of faith that at first he had
accepted only superficially. The principles of tasawwuf may be
listed as follows: Reaching substantial, true belief in Divine
Oneness and living in accordance with its demands.
In addition to
heeding the Divine Speech (the Qur’an), discerning the commands of
the Divine Power and Will on the face of the universe (the laws of
creation and life which are the subject matter of the sciences) and
obeying them. Overflowing with Divine love and getting on well with
all other beings in the consciousness (originating from Divine love)
that the universe is a cradle of brotherhood.
Acting with a spirit of altruism and therefore giving preference or
precedence to the well- being and happiness of others. Acting in
accordance with the demands of the Divine Will-not with the demands
of our own will-and trying to lead our lives at the ‘peaks’ of
self-annihilation in God and subsistence with Him. Being open to
love, spiritual yearning, delight and ecstasy. Acquiring the ability
to discern or unveil what is in hearts or minds through the
expressions of the face and the Divine mysteries and meanings on the
face of events. Visiting such places and seeking the company of such
people as will encourage avoidance of sin and striving in the way of
God.
Being content with lawful or licit pleasures, and being
determined not to take even a single step toward the sphere of the
unlawful. Continuously struggling against worldly ambitions and the
illusions that lead us to suppose this world to be eternal. Never
forgetting that even in the way of serving religion and striving for
the guidance of people to the way of the Truth, salvation is only
possible through certainty or conviction (of the truth of religious
principles of belief and conduct), sincerity or purity of intention
and aiming only to please God. Acquiring knowledge and understanding
of the religious and gnostic sciences, and following the guidance of
a perfected, spiritual master may be added to these principles,
which are of considerable significance in the way of the
Naqshbandiya.
It may be useful to discuss tasawwuf in the light of
the following basic concepts which are the subject-matter of the
books written on good morals and manners and asceticism, and
regarded as the points where one finds the ‘Muhammadan Truth’ in
one’s heart. They can also be considered as the lights by which to
know and follow the spiritual path leading to God.
Contact
Syed Sameer Chishty Shah
| Introduction
|
Tasawwuf Sufism |
Sufi Symbols
|
What Is Sufi ?
|
|
Sufi Way
|
Sufi Message |
Sufi
Mission
| Sufi Meditation
|
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