An Introduction to Sufism

*by*
*Zakir Hussain*

A paper presented to
Dominion Lodge No 117
A.F. & A.M. G.R.A.

*What is Sufism?*


   - *Origin and Background*
   - *Formative Years*
   - *Orders and Lodges*
   - *Rituals and Practices*
   - *The "Path" - Its Teachings and Tenets*
   - *Sufi Literature and Poetry*
   - *Sufi Music and Dance*
   - *Contemporary Sufism*
   - *Conclusion*


*What is Sufism?*

Sufism is the mystical dimension of Islam based on the esoteric, or
"inner-meaning" of its scripture, namely the Qur'an. Sufism's central
doctrine is based on a verse of the Qur'an; in which God says, "I created
man and breathed My spirit into him." This "Divine spark" placed into every
individual, says the Sufi, must be nurtured and cherished. Furthermore, each
individual "spark" or "spirit" separated from the Universal Spirit, desires
to return and reunite with the Universal spirit. This is confirmed by
another verse in the Qur'an, which says " *from God we came, and to God
shall we return*." This "returning" is vital and central to the Sufi
doctrine. Now, the Sufi embarks on a spiritual journey known as the Sufi
Path; a path of devotion and love; which leads to none other than God
Himself. I shall have more to say [about this] ater on.

*Origin and Background*

The word "Sufi is derived from the Arabic word "*suf*," meaning "wool,"
Garments woven from wool were generally worn by early mystics, who came to
be known as "Sufis," There are other explanations and meanings of the word
'Sufi' but the one I have just given is generally accepted by most Sufis and
Sufi scholars. Sufism is known in Arabic as ' *Tassawuf*' or Islamic
Mysticism. A Sufi is a mystic, if by "mystic" we mean a person who strives
towards intimate knowledge or communion with God; through contemplation,
meditation and or "inner-vision."

The origin of Sufism goes back to the Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of
Islam, who received the Divine Revelation known as the 'Qur'an,' over a
period of 23 years. As all Muslims know;  the Holy Qur'an is a
"multi-layered revelation," whose verses can be interpreted literally,
metaphorically, philosophically, and mystically.

The Prophet used to explain and clarify the meaning of each chapter and
verse of the Qur'an to his immediate friends and companions. To a select few
of his Companions he explained the mystical interpretation of the verses;
thus starting a "chain of transmission" of the esoteric meaning of the
Qur'an. This was conveyed first by "word of mouth" from master to pupil or
disciple. This oral tradition has continued from generation to generation to
the present day. It is interesting to note that the "Sufi pledge" between a
Sufi-master and his disciple is still an oral one. It was much later that
Sufi teachings and practices were formally [laid] down in writing for future
generations.

*Formative Years*

The formative years of Sufism were between 620 to 1100 AD. It was during
this time the Sufi masters, known in Arabic as "*Shaikhs*," started to form
the first Sufi fraternities. These early fraternities, and indeed some
individual Sufis, met with great hostility and resistance from certain
sections of the Muslim community; on points of interpretation of Islamic
Theology and Law. Some early Sufis were even persecuted on account of their
mystical utterances and beliefs. The most famous Sufi-martyr was AL HALLAJ
of Basra in Iraq.

Nevertheless, individual Sufis achieved great eminence because of their
piety and practices. The well-known among them are RABIA BASRI (a [female]
Sufi Teacher), JUNAID, IBRAHIM ADHEIM, and HASAN BASRI.

Perhaps the most notable one was the great theologian and philosopher AL
GAZALLI who lived in Syria around 1100 AD. His famous treatises, called the
"Reconstruction of Religious Sciences," the "Alchemy of Happiness," and
other works; set off to convince the Islamic world that Sufism and its
teachings originated from the Qur'an and were compatible with mainstream
Islamic thought and theology. It was AL-GAZALLI who bridged the gap between
traditional and mystical Islam. It was around 1000 AD that the early Sufi
literature, in the form of manuals, treatises, discourses, and poetry,
became the source of Sufi thinking and meditations.

*Orders and Lodges*

Around 1200 AD Sufism was institutionalized into Sufi orders. Generally, the
political atmosphere from North Africa to India was "ripe" for the formation
of Sufi orders. Under the patronage of kings and sultans, prominent Sufi
masters received financial grants to build lodges and hospices to house the
master; his disciples, students, novices and even travellers. The lodges
soon became schools of Sufi learning and scholarship. Attached to the lodges
were other places of learning, such as colleges and universities; where
students could learn Islamic law and theology, philosophy, and natural
sciences.

The most prominent Sufi master of the day became the "founder" of a
particular Sufi order. One of the well-known orders is the "Qadiryya"
founded by the great Sufi-master ABDUL QADIR GILANI in Iraq. Others were
founded in different parts of the Islamic world by Sufi-masters such as
JALALUDDIN RUMI in Turkey, SUHARWARDY in Asia minor, and MUINUDDIN CHISHTI
in India. Although each order had a regional flavour, their basic teachings
and practices remained fundamentally the same. Because of this, a mutual
respect and admiration exists between various orders. Hence, a Sufi may
belong to more than one order.

It was between 1200 - 1500 AD that Sufis and Sufism enjoyed a period of
intense Sufic activity in various part of the Islamic world. Hence this
period is considered as the "Classical Period" or the "Golden Age" of
Sufism. Lodges and hospices soon became not only places to house Sufi
students and novices but also places for "spiritual retreat" for practising
Sufis and other mystics.

Some of the original orders, which I mentioned before, along with new ones
are to be found in the Middle and Far East, India, Africa and various parts
of Europe and North America. It is estimated, that presently, there are some
40 Sufi Orders in the world.

*Rituals and Practices*

Now, I should like to talk about the Sufi rituals and practices. It is
rather difficult to summarize all the practices and rituals associated with
the various orders. However, there are certain practices common to all the
orders. They are:

1  Ritual prayer and fasting according to Islamic injunctions.
2. Remembrance of the "spiritual lineage" of each order.
3. The practice of "*dhikr*," an Arabic word for remembrance of God, by
invocation.
4. Meditative and contemplative practices, including intensive spiritual
training, in "spiritual retreats" from time to time.
5. Listening to musical concerts, to enhance mystical awareness.

The ritual of "initiation" into the order is ordained by the Sufi master of
that particular order.

Aspiring novices had to undergo a period of intense training in
self-discipline, learning to control one's instincts and desires, guided by
the Sufi-master. It was the master who would eventually decide if the novice
was ready to be initiated into the order. The "initiation" was and still is
a "solemn pledge" by the novice to obey the master implicitly in all
matters, spiritual and moral. The master in turn pledges to instruct, teach
and guide the "new initiate" along the Sufi path. The initiation really
symbolizes that the initiate or disciple is now ready to understand the
"inner truth" of spiritual realities. Realities which can only be
experienced and understood by "intuitive knowledge," Knowledge which stems
from the "heart," rather that the "mind."

The practice of "*dhikr*" is the central feature in all Sufi orders. "*Dhikr
*" is the Arabic word for the devotional practice of the "remembrance of
God," It is performed by the repeated invocation of the Names and Attributes
of God. It is based on the Qur'anic verse in which God says " *Remember Me
and I will remember you*," The practice of "*dhikr*" may vary in different
orders; but its ultimate object is to create spiritual awareness and love
for God. It can be practiced individually, or collectively. Some orders
perform it silently and some loudly; all under the direction of the Sufi
master.

It should be noted that "*dhikr*" is not exclusive to the Sufis [for] it is
practiced by all Muslims as part of Islamic prayer and devotion.

Another important practice in Sufism is what is called "*Sema*," or "*Sama*'
" which literally means "listening," These auditions may be a recitation
from the Holy Qur'an, or devotional poetry. Throughout the centuries, Sufi
poets have written mystical poetry for devotional purposes and some have
even been set to music. Listening to musical concerts, as part of Sufi
devotion, is permitted and practiced by certain Sufi orders.

A Sufi Order known as the 'Mevlevi Order" founded by the Sufi master
Jalaluddin Rumi, who lived in Turkey around 1200 AD, permits a "mystical
dance" known in the west as the dance of the Whirling Dervishes. To
appreciate the significance of this dance,it is necessary to be aware of its
symbolic interpretation and meaning.

Veneration of Sufi Saints is a common practice amongst Sufis. Devout Sufi
masters who led highly devotional and spiritual lives were elevated to
sainthood. The Sufis believe that a Sufi saint (although dead for hundreds
of years) can still make his "spiritual presence" felt to his disciples
Hence, it is common practice among Sufis to visit [the] tombs of Sufi saints
to pay homage, recite Sura Fateha and/or other Quranic passages, pray to God
for *isa-e-thawab *(i.e. praying to God that the rewards of such recitations
be bestowed on the dead), and ask for the deceased saint's blessings. There
is no formal procedure, or official appointment, or proclamation, similar to
the practices of other religions used for the canonisation of saints.

Other practices, include ritual prayer, fasting, and meditation, as directed
by the master. Finally a Sufi may, under the strict guidance of his master,
enter into a "spiritual retreat," for a fixed period (usually between 3 to
40 days, or for 24 hours) for intensive prayer and meditation, and daytime
fasting. It is best to remember here that all these practices are to prepare
the Sufi for the "spiritual journey" along the Sufi path; a path which leads
towards God through love and devotion.

*The Path - Its Teachings and Tenets*

I shall now try to outline briefly some of the principal teachings and
tenets of Sufism. The Sufi firmly believes that each individual spirit
desires union with the Universal Spirit, namely God, after death.
Furthermore, he believes that it is possible to "experience" God in this
life! This kind of experience is described by Sufis as supra-sensory,
ultra-mystical, and even "visionary," It must be emphasized here that this
kind of "experience" has been achieved by only the elite! Nevertheless, this
is the goal of every Sufi.

Sufism teaches that the Sufi who seeks God, must advance by slow "stages"
along the Path. The "stages" relate to repentance, followed by abstinence,
renunciation, 'poverty', patience and trust in God. These stages constitutes
the ethical and ascetic disciplines of Sufism. Total commitment at each
stage is vital towards the spiritual progress of the Sufi.

The individual soul is called "*nafs*" in Arabic. Sufism teaches that the
soul initially is a "demanding soul," which can be and should be disciplined
into a "contented soul," and subsequently into a "soul at peace." These
characteristics of the soul are described at length in the Qur'an and
commented upon by Sufi teachers and scholars.

Sufism's primary teaching is based on the Unity of God called "*tawheed*" in
Arabic. Its emphasis is on the "Oneness" and "Uniqueness" of God. This
concept of Unity leads to the realization of Unity which embraces
multiplicity in the Universe. This may sound paradoxical, but Sufi writers
and theologians (both classical and modern) have written volumes on this
subject, with particular emphasis on explaining various aspects, or grades
of manifestation, in terms of immanence and transcendence.

Sufis believe that God's earliest creation was the human "intellect." Giving
humans the knowledge to discern, and to choose between right and wrong, good
and evil. This knowledge in Sufism is raised to a higher level, which arises
from the "heart" rather than the "mind." It is this intuitive knowledge that
distinguishes a mystic from a philosopher. It is through the practice of
intuitive knowledge that a Sufi experiences mystical phenomena and visions.

The central doctrine of Sufism, however is love, divine love. The Qur'an
teaches that "*God's mercy is greater than His wrath*" and that "*God's love
is His supreme attribute *." The Sufi does NOT reject, but instead believes
in the doctrine and the concepts of the 'Fear of God' and 'God's wrath of
the Day of Judgement." The Sufi maintains that obedience to God's commands
should ensue NOT out of the fear of punishment of Hellfire or for the desire
of the pleasures and bounties of Paradise as a reward, but rather with the
sincere motive and intention of attaining proximity to God - purely for the
sake of, and solely for the pleasure of God. To the Sufi, Paradise (as a
reward) and Hell (as a punishment) are but graphic terms to make us
understand a state of things which is beyond all our notions of life in this
world. The Sufi longs for what is beyond Paradise, the vision of God Himself
- the ultimate reward after entering Paradise. And nothing would be lovelier
than gazing upon the Lord when He removes his 'veil' (His 'garb of
grandeur'). The Sufi attests that God has created man with a mind,
free-will, and love. Therefore the mainspring of Sufism is love. Based on
this, the Sufi path becomes a 'Path of Love,' where the Sufi becomes the
'lover' and God the 'beloved.' This love affair ends only with the ultimate
union with the Beloved. This love relationship is depicted in most volumes
of Sufi literature and poetry.

*Sufi Literature and Poetry*

As has been previously mentioned, earlier Sufism was based on an oral
tradition, but around 1000 AD, its teachings and doctrines were put into
writing. For the next four centuries, Sufi literature flourished in the form
of manuals, mystical tales and anecdotes, treatises on Islamic theology,
philosophy, metaphysics and mystical poetry.

Sufi manuals were for the instruction and practice of new "initiates," in
various orders. They took a form of "master-disciple" instruction on correct
behaviour and conduct within the order. They also dealt with strict
"obedience" to the master, methods of " *dhikr*" and meditation, and also
with piety and devotion to God. A famous classical manual is by IBN ARABI
called, "*Journey to the Lord of Power,*" which is a handbook on spiritual
retreat.

Tales and anecdotes in the form of literature are really meant as "teaching
tales," with the purpose of driving home a moral or mystical point. Some of
the tales are elaborate and allegorical in their content. A classical
example is ATTAR's " *Conference of the Birds*," and SA'DI's "*The Rose
Garden*," and many others by Arabic and Persian authors and poets.

Classical Sufi treatises on the nature and essence of Sufism and Islamic
theology were written by the famous Sufi philosopher AL GAZALLI, who lived
in Damascus, Syria around 1100 AD. His famous work called " *Reconstruction
of Religious Sciences*," and "*Alchemy of Happiness*"' are classic examples.
Another Sufi master IBN ARABI, born in Spain around 1160 AD, is perhaps the
most profound Sufi author of his time. Two of his famous works are called "
*Bezels of Wisdom,*" and"*Meccan Revelations.*" They deal with theories on
pantheism and monotheism, such as the theory that asserts that "God is
Nature, and Nature God." The other theory differentiates God from Nature, by
asserting that "God is above Nature, which He created." Yet other theories
deal with the "Unity of Being," and the "wisdom of prophecy," and so on.
Studies based on such works are still subjects for Sufi contemplation and
meditation.

Sufi poetry is recited by Sufis to enhance mystical awareness. Such poetry
written in the "classical era" were by Arabic poet IBN-AL-FARID, and persian
poets such as HAFIZ, SA'DI, JAMI and RUMI. RUMI, perhaps is the best known
in the West for his monumental poetic works called the " *Masnavi*" and *
"Divan-i-shams*." Poetic imagery both symbolic and mystical, depicts the
central themes with which all Sufis are familiar with, are the "pangs of
separation of the lover from the beloved," the "individual soul's" desire
for mystical union with the "Universal soul," These are some of the
important themes. Classical and modern Sufi poetry can be found from North
Africa and Middle East, to India and Indonesia.

*Sufi Music and Dance*

The practice of music and dance in Sufism, is rather contentious. It is by
no means universally accepted by all Sufis as some Sufi orders frown upon
it. Others [may] rejoice in the recitation of mystical poetry, accompanied
by musical instruments and performed as part of their prayers and devotions.
Some Sufis consider such music conducive to "mystical ecstasy." These Sufis
maintain that music can arouse passion - either sensual or spiritual. It is
spiritual passion (longing for God) which is the Sufi's goal. Hence musical
concerts are a regular feature of some Sufi orders.

The Sufi dance that is much talked about in the West, belongs to one Sufi
order, founded by a Sufi master JALALUDDIN RUMI who lived around 1100 AD.
This dance is known in the West as the dance of the "whirling dervishes."
Actually, the dance is performed by the Sufis from that order under strict
and controlled conditions, led by a Sufi master. The "steps" and "motions"
symbolically depict the "cosmos in motion."

*Contemporary Sufism*

There are two aspects of Sufism, one is called "practical Sufism" and the
other [is] "philosophical Sufism." One deals with the actual practice, while
the other deals with the 'way' and how it is practiced. By way of analogy,
it has been said that the "philosopher" looks at "water," and describes its
properties, whereas the "Sufi," on the other hand, drinks it to quench his
thirst.

Sufism was brought to the West within the last two hundred years by several
western scholars, who were generally Christian missionaries. This gave a
rather biased view of Sufism, which is now being corrected. Contemporary
western scholars, now study Sufism within the framework of Islamic theology
and tradition and are therefore able to present it as "the mystical
dimension of Islam." Some of the contemporary authors and scholars are
FRITHJOF SCHUON, TITUS BURCKHARDT, MARTIN LINGS, S.H. NASR, and ANNEMARIE
SCHIMMEL.

As previously mentioned, a "schism" exists today within the Islamic world. A
certain section of Muslims believe that Sufi practices are too radical,[and
are] a departure from the fundamental teachings and practices of Islam. This
is debatable and I do not propose to go into it here.

There are also two schools of thought within the Sufi community. One
believes  that Sufism is firmly entrenched in Islamic thought and tradition,
and cannot be uprooted from Islam. The other school believes that the Sufi
message is a "universal message," and therefore transcend any one religion.
However, an overwhelming majority of practising Sufis belong to the first
group. They maintain that the so-called "Sufism" of the second group is a
mere misnomer and that it should really be designated as "mysticism" mainly
because the word 'Sufi' has an essential Islamic connotation. It is
obviously for this reason that genuine Sufism is correctly referred to
as *Islamic
mysticism*. In other words, one must distinguish between genuine-Sufis and
pseudo-Sufis who appear to have mushroomed in the very fertile land of
California and other places such as Europe and even Asia.

*Conclusion*

I should like to conclude by summarising a Sufi as one who is a mystic,
empowered by the Qur'an and the Prophet, guided by the Sufi master and
Saints and belongs to one of the many Sufi orders. In addition to ritual
prayer and fasting, he practices various techniques of meditation. He
recites poetry and delights in music all towards one goal, namely union with
God, the Divine Beloved.

Finally it is said that Sufism in the olden days was a "reality without a
name," today it is a "name without reality."

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