INTRODUCTION TO SUFISM
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds.
O Allah! Bestow Thy blessings and peace upon Thy Messenger Sayyidina Muhammed (P,B.U.) and on his family and all his companions.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds.
O Allah! Bestow Thy blessings and peace upon Thy Messenger Sayyidina Muhammed (P,B.U.) and on his family and all his companions.
This work on Sufism is undertaken with a view to acting in accordance with the tradition (Hadith) of Muhammed (P.B.U.) that is reported as follows:
“Allah granting through you right guidance to a man is better than red
camels and in the end better than the world and everything therein”
Possessed though of little knowledge and practice, by the favor of Allah, it is easy for me to gather the necessary information from Sufi literary works and explain it to you the basic principles of Sufism in plain language that can enlighten the seekers of knowledge on Sufism. These basic principles will be explained in easy ways so that all those who are interested in practicing Sufism may benefit thereby.
“Whoso directs to good (acts) is like him who performs them”
– Tradition of Muhammed (P.B.U.)
The Religion of those who have submitted to Allah (God) is referred as ‘Deen’. The word ‘Deen’ in Arabic means religion. This word occurs in Holy Quran in many places and one such is the following verse:
“Lakum deenukum wa liya deen”
“Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion” (cix: 6)
‘Deenul Islam’, therefore, means Religion of Islam. The one who follows the Religion of Islam is a Muslim. The four chief categories of Religion of Islam are:
1. Faith ( Iman in Arabic): Faith means belief with strong conviction of the existence of Allah.
2. Islam: It means submission or obedience. That is submitting oneself to Allah ( the Creator), and acting in obedience to His Laws and Commands.
3. Oneness (Tauhid in Arabic): Tauhid establishes the One-ness of Allah.
4. Knowledge of Allah ( Ma’rifa in Arabic)
Neglecting any one of these four “pillars” is virtually neglect of the entire structure which it supports.
Where does Sufism fit into these four categories? Definitely the fourth essential category of Religion of Islam, Ma’rifa – knowledge of Allah, is nothing but Sufism. Sufism is never distinct from Islam and to fully comprehend and live correct with Sufism one must be a practicing Muslim obeying the Sharia.
“Allah granting through you right guidance to a man is better than red
camels and in the end better than the world and everything therein”
Possessed though of little knowledge and practice, by the favor of Allah, it is easy for me to gather the necessary information from Sufi literary works and explain it to you the basic principles of Sufism in plain language that can enlighten the seekers of knowledge on Sufism. These basic principles will be explained in easy ways so that all those who are interested in practicing Sufism may benefit thereby.
“Whoso directs to good (acts) is like him who performs them”
– Tradition of Muhammed (P.B.U.)
The Religion of those who have submitted to Allah (God) is referred as ‘Deen’. The word ‘Deen’ in Arabic means religion. This word occurs in Holy Quran in many places and one such is the following verse:
“Lakum deenukum wa liya deen”
“Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion” (cix: 6)
‘Deenul Islam’, therefore, means Religion of Islam. The one who follows the Religion of Islam is a Muslim. The four chief categories of Religion of Islam are:
1. Faith ( Iman in Arabic): Faith means belief with strong conviction of the existence of Allah.
2. Islam: It means submission or obedience. That is submitting oneself to Allah ( the Creator), and acting in obedience to His Laws and Commands.
3. Oneness (Tauhid in Arabic): Tauhid establishes the One-ness of Allah.
4. Knowledge of Allah ( Ma’rifa in Arabic)
Neglecting any one of these four “pillars” is virtually neglect of the entire structure which it supports.
Where does Sufism fit into these four categories? Definitely the fourth essential category of Religion of Islam, Ma’rifa – knowledge of Allah, is nothing but Sufism. Sufism is never distinct from Islam and to fully comprehend and live correct with Sufism one must be a practicing Muslim obeying the Sharia.
No comments:
Post a Comment