IS SUFISM ISLAMIC?
Assalamu Alaikum
The word Sufism is from the Arabic word ‘Tasawwuf’ A Soofi or Sufi is the one who practices Sufism. Out of the four essential parts of Religion of Islam, the first three, viz. Iman, Islam and Tauhid, become the foundation for the building of Sufism. It will be futile to construct a building without a foundation at all. One can read volumes of books, become a research scholar and obtain a Doctorate in Sufism. But he can never become a Sufi unless the first three parts of Islam is studied and practiced.
Some organizations which have western influence or which are having their head quarters in western countries may claim to be spreading Sufism but that is nothing but cheating themselves and cheating others. You may teach universal brotherhood but not Sufism. If any Shaikh claims that he can teach any one Sufism, he may mean some thing else but not Sufism. A rose is rose by whatever name you call it. Can a donkey become a rose if it is called by the name rose? Any one can call himself a Sufi but he is not unless he has faith in Allah- the final goal of Sufism, submits himself to Allah and firmly believes in One-ness of Allah.
Sufism is not a combination or by-product of Jewism, Judaism, Gnosticism or Hinduism as it is claimed by certain groups. Sufism is definitely within the frame work of Islam and Islam only. The practice of Sufism has nothing to do with tantric chakra, yoga, asnas, kabbala or merkava. These practices may have their own specialties but not to purify heart and make it empty. A heart that is emptied becomes the abode of Almighty Allah.
All Muslims need not be Sufis. How can that be when Marifa- knowledge of Allah- is part of Islam? A Muslim must practice the first three parts of Islam to be a Muslim. The knowledge of the fourth part i.e.Marifa is enough. To practice or not to practice is up to him. With the first three parts, he qualifies himself to be a Muslim. It is obligatory on him to practice faith, submitting himself- as a created being and slave- to Allah, and establishing by word and heart the Oneness of Allah. But all Sufis must be Muslims. There is no compromise over it.
Assalamu Alaikum
The word Sufism is from the Arabic word ‘Tasawwuf’ A Soofi or Sufi is the one who practices Sufism. Out of the four essential parts of Religion of Islam, the first three, viz. Iman, Islam and Tauhid, become the foundation for the building of Sufism. It will be futile to construct a building without a foundation at all. One can read volumes of books, become a research scholar and obtain a Doctorate in Sufism. But he can never become a Sufi unless the first three parts of Islam is studied and practiced.
Some organizations which have western influence or which are having their head quarters in western countries may claim to be spreading Sufism but that is nothing but cheating themselves and cheating others. You may teach universal brotherhood but not Sufism. If any Shaikh claims that he can teach any one Sufism, he may mean some thing else but not Sufism. A rose is rose by whatever name you call it. Can a donkey become a rose if it is called by the name rose? Any one can call himself a Sufi but he is not unless he has faith in Allah- the final goal of Sufism, submits himself to Allah and firmly believes in One-ness of Allah.
Sufism is not a combination or by-product of Jewism, Judaism, Gnosticism or Hinduism as it is claimed by certain groups. Sufism is definitely within the frame work of Islam and Islam only. The practice of Sufism has nothing to do with tantric chakra, yoga, asnas, kabbala or merkava. These practices may have their own specialties but not to purify heart and make it empty. A heart that is emptied becomes the abode of Almighty Allah.
All Muslims need not be Sufis. How can that be when Marifa- knowledge of Allah- is part of Islam? A Muslim must practice the first three parts of Islam to be a Muslim. The knowledge of the fourth part i.e.Marifa is enough. To practice or not to practice is up to him. With the first three parts, he qualifies himself to be a Muslim. It is obligatory on him to practice faith, submitting himself- as a created being and slave- to Allah, and establishing by word and heart the Oneness of Allah. But all Sufis must be Muslims. There is no compromise over it.
Wassalam.
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