Sufism | Definition & Sufism History

Sufism History – Sheikh Esref Efendi, the spiritual head of the Germany-based totally Sufi Center Rabbaniya, that’s part of the Naqshbandi Order, described Sufism for DW.

“The Sufis are Muslims and stay Islam in perfection with body and soul. The frame of Islam is Sharia, the regulation, and soul of Islam is Sufism, spirituality.

For Sufis, Sharia is fundamental, because regulation gives order in existence and Sufism gives for joy in lifestyles. The day by day remembrance of God within the dhikr and the one of a kind varieties of meditation in the community, enhance the aware feeling of closeness to God and the charity for the other.”

Sufism History – He persevered: “Sufis adhere to the prophet’s subculture of loving each creature for the sake of the Creator’s love. So they forget about the errors and blemishes of the people they encounter and handiest take a look at the light of God in them. By spotting the light of God, the Sufis exercise forgiveness of mistakes of guy.”

Types of Sufism

There are several types or branches of Sufism that have emerged over the centuries. Here are some notable types of Sufism:

Qadiriyya: Founded by Abdul-Qadir Gilani, the Qadiriyya order emphasizes the importance of spiritual discipline and adherence to Sharia (Islamic law). It places emphasis on the concept of tawhid (oneness of God) and emphasizes the role of the spiritual guide (sheikh) in the disciple’s journey.
Naqshbandi: The Naqshbandi order focuses on silent meditation and remembrance of God through the repetition of specific phrases or names. It places a strong emphasis on the transmission of spiritual energy from the master to the disciple and encourages inward contemplation and detachment from worldly distractions.
Chishti: The Chishti order, founded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, emphasizes the importance of love, compassion, and service to humanity. It places a strong emphasis on music and poetry as a means of spiritual expression and aims to cultivate the heart through devotion and renunciation of worldly desires.
Mevlevi (or Mawlawi): The Mevlevi order is famously known for its Whirling Dervishes. Founded by Jalaluddin Rumi, this order focuses on ecstatic dance and music as a means of reaching a state of spiritual union with the divine. The whirling dance is seen as a form of meditation and a way to transcend the self.
Rifai: The Rifai order, established by Ahmed ar-Rifai, emphasizes physical exertion and ascetic practices as a means of spiritual purification. It includes practices such as chanting, dancing, and the performance of rituals involving self-inflicted pain or mortification of the flesh.
Bektashi: The Bektashi order, which originated in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), incorporates elements from Shia Islam and Turkish folk traditions. It places an emphasis on unity and tolerance among different religious communities and values music, poetry, and communal gatherings as part of its spiritual practice.
Suhrawardiyya: The Suhrawardiyya order, founded by Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi, focuses on the mystical teachings of light and spiritual illumination. It emphasizes the importance of spiritual insight and the experience of divine reality through meditation, contemplation, and adherence to moral and ethical principles.

These are just a few examples of the diverse types of Sufism that have emerged over time. Each order has its own unique practices, rituals, and teachings, while still sharing the common goal of seeking spiritual realization and a closer connection with the divine.

Origins

Sufism History – Sufism originated after the loss of the life of Mohammed in 632. However, it developed into orders in the 12th Century.

The orders have been formed around religious founders, who gained saint fame and shrines constructed of their names. There are dozens of Sufi orders and offshoots.

Sufism spread throughout the Muslim world, becoming a central issue of many people’s spiritual practice from Indonesia and South Asia to Africa and the Balkans.

Sufi orders had been now and again close to the ruling powers and the Ottoman Empire, supporting their spread and effect.

As it spread, it regularly adapted to and incorporated local ideals and customs, making it popular. Still, it could later be considered with the aid of Islamic extremist businesses as heretical.

Salafism and Wahhabism

Sufism History – The 18th Century saw the emergence of a new puritanical Islamic ideology and motion at the Arab peninsula that might later supply beginning to violent extremist agencies, which include al-Qaeda and IS.

Wahhabism sought to purge Sunni Islam of accretions and improvements, including the sizable Sufi exercise of venerating saints and journeying tombs and shrines. The purpose became to create a “pure” Islam.

The Wahhabi motion allied with the House of Saud, which ultimately set up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932.

From the Nineteen Sixties onward, Saudi and Arab Gulf oil wealth helped fuel the worldwide growth of Wahhabism ideology, which is regularly associated with hardline Salafism.

From the 1960s onward, Saudi and Arab Gulf oil wealth helped gas the worldwide expansion of Wahhabism ideology, which is frequently associated with hardline Salafism.

Salafist jihadists have repeatedly focused on Sufis, deeming them heretics. They have also centred Christians, Shiites and others they deem apostates.

Sufism History – Al-Qaeda-linked militants in 2012 destroyed historic Sufi shrines in Timbuktu, Mali, drawing worldwide condemnation. But IS has taken the violent jihadist ideology in addition.

Earlier this yr, an IS suicide bomber killed over 70 humans at a Sufi shrine in Pakistan.

While no organization has claimed duty for Friday’s attack on a mosque attended with the aid of Sufis within the Sinai peninsula, it bore all of the symptoms of IS.

It comes as the Egyptian IS affiliate final yr beheaded the blind Sheikh Suleiman Abu Heraz, a Sufi determine. In January, IS’ online propaganda mag encouraged focused on Sufis and warned it might “now not allow (they’re) presence.”

Sufism History – Wahhabism vs the whole lot else

For centuries, most of the Muslim global has had conventional Sufism, a stance that has been supported with the aid of leading mainstream Sunni Muslim scholars and centres of learning.

“The contemporary disputes inside the Middle East aren’t surely among ‘Sufism’ and ‘extremism,’ however between Wahhabism and everything else,” stated Winter, adding that mainstream Sunni Islam advocates tolerance and peace.

As Sheikh Esref Efendi explains, IS simplest sees perceived violations within Islam and “now not the people and the light inside the people, and therefore name Sufis traitors of Islam.”

“IS thinks that any wrong ought to be punished. They think and devote even the best sin of Islam: They claim themselves Gods who can determine on life and death and use violence to kill.”

Questions & Answers about Sufism History

Q: What is Sufism?

A: Sufism is a mystical and spiritual tradition within Islam that focuses on seeking a direct personal experience of the divine. It emphasizes inner purification, love, and the cultivation of a close relationship with God.

Q: When did Sufism originate?

A: The origins of Sufism can be traced back to the early centuries of Islam, with its roots in the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. However, it began to develop as a distinct mystical tradition around the 8th and 9th centuries.

Q: Who were the early proponents of Sufism?

A: Some of the early prominent figures in Sufism include Rabia Basri, Hasan al-Basri, Junayd of Baghdad, and Bayazid Bastami. These individuals played significant roles in shaping the early practices and ideas of Sufism.

Q: What are the key teachings and practices of Sufism?

A: Sufism emphasizes the internalization of Islamic beliefs and practices through techniques such as meditation, chanting, and various forms of asceticism. Key teachings include the concept of tawhid (the oneness of God), love and devotion to God, self-discipline, and the pursuit of spiritual perfection.

Q: How did Sufism spread throughout the Islamic world?

A: Sufism initially spread through the efforts of Sufi masters who traveled, established schools, and attracted followers. It gained popularity through the appeal of its mystical teachings and practices, eventually becoming an integral part of Islamic culture across regions.

Q: What are some famous Sufi orders or brotherhoods?

A: Sufism gave rise to various orders or brotherhoods, each with its own unique practices and teachings. Some well-known Sufi orders include the Qadiriyya, Naqshbandi, Chishti, and Mevlevi (known for their Whirling Dervishes).

Q: How did Sufism influence Islamic civilization?

A: Sufism had a profound impact on Islamic civilization. It contributed to the development of Islamic literature, music, art, and architecture. Sufi poets and writers produced remarkable works that expressed their spiritual experiences and teachings, shaping the cultural landscape of the Islamic world.

Q: Did Sufism interact with other religious and philosophical traditions?

A: Yes, Sufism interacted with and influenced various religious and philosophical traditions. It engaged in dialogues with Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, and incorporated elements from these traditions into its mystical practices. Sufi ideas also influenced philosophers like Ibn Arabi, who explored the concept of “Unity of Being.”

Q: Were there any challenges or controversies surrounding Sufism?

A: Sufism faced occasional opposition and controversy throughout history. Some orthodox religious scholars criticized certain practices of Sufis, considering them deviations from mainstream Islamic teachings. Additionally, political rulers sometimes viewed Sufi orders as potential sources of dissent or challenge to their authority.

Q: Is Sufism still practiced today?

A: Yes, Sufism is still practiced by millions of Muslims around the world. Sufi orders continue to exist, and individuals engage in various Sufi practices such as dhikr (remembrance of God), meditation, and seeking guidance from Sufi masters. Sufism’s teachings continue to inspire seekers of spiritual knowledge and inner peace.