Sufism? sufism History, Sufi Philosphy, stages of Sufism, What are the seven stages of Sufism? What are the 10 steps of Sufism?

Sufism:

Sufism is a special way of practicing Islam that focuses on connecting with God through personal experiences. Sufis believe in exploring their inner selves and making their hearts pure to get closer to God. A person who follows Sufism is called a Sufi.

Sufis use different methods like meditation, chanting, and prayer to reach a deeper spiritual understanding. They often come together in groups led by a spiritual teacher called a sheikh. Sufis have followers all around the world and have influenced many different cultures.

Sufis express their devotion and spiritual experiences through poetry and music. Some famous Sufi poets include Rumi and Hafiz. They use symbols and stories to talk about their spiritual journey and the relationship between people and God.

You might have heard of the Whirling Dervishes, who are a famous Sufi group. They perform a spinning dance called the Sama, which helps them meditate and feel closer to God.

Sufis believe that love and kindness are very important. They think that by being loving and compassionate, people can become closer to God and find inner peace.

Sufis have their own way of understanding Islam. They focus more on the deeper meaning of religious teachings instead of just following the rules. They believe that by connecting directly with God, they can better understand the essence of Islam.

In Sufism, having a spiritual guide is very important. This guide, called a sheikh, helps Sufis on their spiritual journey by giving them guidance and support.

Remember, Sufism is a diverse and complex tradition, and different Sufi groups may have their own beliefs and practices.

Sufism is a vast topic, and it is impossible to do respect to its illustrious history and fascinating influence on society in this constrained chapter. The term "sufi" did not exist during the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammad (May peace and blessings be upon him). There was no need for the Sufi approach at this early period of Islam. However, as time went on and the Kingship acquired control of the caliphate, it was decided that a resurgence of Islamic influence was required.

Sufism is currently being offered in various parts of the West without reference to Islam. Sufis are widely believed to be free-style mystics who exist outside of religious restrictions. First and first, it is important to remember that Sufism cannot be compared to anything outside of Islam.

Islam's mystical side, Sufism, emphasises the beauty of the soul via cleanliness, righteousness, and an all-encompassing love for everyone. Sufis symbolise this inner side of Islam's ideology. Sufism's core beliefs are devotion to Allah and unselfish service to others. The ultimate goal of a Sufi is to become close to God, to solidify his conviction of God's unity, and to completely submit to His will. It's a very challenging process that begins with dying the ego (Nafs), involves developing one's internal and exterior character, meditation, mortification, helping others, and ultimately progresses to the level of divine truth. The Sufi adhere to the tradition of the Prophet Mohammad SAW and hold that every Muslim has a duty to pursue knowledge.

Sufi's history

Regarding the word's origin, several academics have different theories. Sufi, which means purity of the heart, is allegedly derived from the term Safa, according to some. The alternative theory holds that name originates from Saff Awwal, the first row of the faithful. One of the theories is that it was adapted from Ahle Suffa, a group of devoted believers who resided in the original Madina mosque during the lifetime of the prophet Mohammad SAW. However, the theory that it derives from the term suf, which means wool, is the one that is generally accepted. Suf refers to a group of genuine worshippers who lived during and shortly after the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and who became noted for their propensity to wear coarse woollen clothing.

Sufi Thought:

There are four divisions in this Sufi philosophy:

(law or religion practiced publicly) Sharia

(The way is) Tariqa.

(The Inner truth) Haqeeqat

(Divine Knowledge) Maarifat

The teachings of the Quran and the Hadees form the foundation of Sharia, the canonical law of Islam. The way to comprehend this law is through tariqa. The voyage from Shariat to Haqeeqat is referred to as this. comprehending the reason behind what we must do and must not do is as important as observing the law. This is because comprehending the law is preferable to simply abiding by it. The stage of recognising one's inner truth is known as haqeeqat. It displays what is true, sincere, and genuine. Maarifat has a true grasp of spiritualism thanks to his personal encounters.

The goal of man's creation, according to Sufi doctrine, is to gain knowledge of God, including knowledge of the Creator and knowledge of creation. Man can come back to God by loving him. If someone truly loves God, it goes without saying that they will also love and serve God's creation. The Sufi holds that having a heart that is capable of seeing God's vision is the most crucial component for following the Sufi path. And if the heart is tarnished with the dust of Nafs (worldly cravings), it needs to be cleansed through the Sufi rituals, which are essentially a path of spiritual growth that leads to God Almighty. This road of Divine knowledge and spirituality has many levels, which are referred to as muqamaat (stations).

Sufism as a Way:

This Sufi way is characterised by constant conflict and is known as Jihad-e-Akbar (the greater fight) in Sufi parlance. A practitioner is engaged in an internal struggle to master the Nafs (Ego), which constantly strives to overpower the soul. A Sufi aspirant who wishes to follow this path must first look for a Pir (spiritual preceptor), who must be a skilled practitioner of Sufism. Sufi practise consists of two parts. First, one must separate one's love from earthly pleasures, and then one must cultivate a sincere and ardent love for the Almighty. A Sufi must pass through numerous stations as they travel this road. Tauba (repenting), Zuhd (abstinence), Faqr (pious poverty), Zikr (reciting the name of Allah), Fikr (reasoning), Muraqaba (meditation), Muhabsaba (self-examination), and Tawakkul (reliance on God) are among these stations.

Tauba:

It represents the start of the Sufi path. It is the point in a mendicant's consciousness where he is aware of the sins he has already committed in a previous life. He begs God for pardon since he is ashamed of his sins.

Zuhd:

It involves freeing oneself from opportunistic and selfish behaviour and letting go of worldly pleasures. It does not entail giving up job, living in a remote location, or pursuing a solitary existence; rather, it refers to making an effort to abstain from pointless worldly attractions.

Faqr:

A stage of non-possessiveness is called faqr. The mendicant in this instance is not concerned with material gain. For him, it makes little difference whether the world experiences material gains or losses. The pleasures and tragedies of this world do not make him happy or sad.

Zikr:

The Sufis' most admirable practise is to concentrate their thoughts on God. They chant Allah's names so they might be constantly conscious of the Divine influence in all facets of life. There are two types of zikr: zikr-e-jali (loud recitation) and zikr-e-khafi (quiet recitation in the heart).

Muraqaba:

Sufi meditative science known as muraqaba. It is a technique for managing, monitoring, and safeguarding one's desires. The Sufi purifies his heart and eliminates its darkness by sitting and closing his eyes as he visualises the name of Allah. At this point, he feels as though both God and himself are present.

Muhasaba:

This is a method of self-evaluation. The practicant considers his entire day's accomplishments at the end of each day to assess him. What activities has he engaged in today? Why did he do that? What has he left out? Why did he leave it out? If somebody is content, he ought to give thanks to God for that. If he accepts responsibility, he must beg God's pardon and make every effort to prevent future transgressions. When a person is getting ready for bed at night, that is the greatest time to practise self-criticism.

Tawakkul:

It denotes a complete reliance on God. Three levels of Tawakkal were mentioned by Sultanul Mashaikh Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia. The first is the person who engages a lawyer to represent him in court. The plaintiff's friend and legal representative are one and the same. In this circumstance, the plaintiff feels assured and at ease. There is a baby, which marks the second stage. He begs her mother not to nurse him even though he sobs. He has complete faith in her mother's love and support. The woman breastfeeds her child. The third step of Tawakkal is the presence of a deceased individual prior to ghassal (the act of bathing the deceased prior to burial). He does not speak or make any motions. However, Gaassal chooses to turn and wash him. This is Tawakkal's purest manifestation.

Raza (surrender to God's will) and Sabr (great patience) are the two primary requirements for this voyage. When a person faces terrible situations without complaining, it is known as Sabr (patience), according to Sultanul Masshikh. And it is said to be Raza when someone encounters something dreadful but does not feel its dreadfulness since it has not reached them.

A Sufi recognises God in all things. Everything he perceives, experiences, and tastes is fleeting to him. Nothing exists outside of God's sphere of influence because he is eternal and supreme. He doesn't think that taking is better than giving. He holds that everything in his immediate environment serves as a sign of God's presence, and that everything else is merely an opinion.

Questions and Answers:

The seven stages of Sufism:

Sufism does not have a universally agreed-upon set of stages, as interpretations and practices can vary among different Sufi orders and teachers. However, some commonly mentioned stages in Sufism are:

Shariah: Following the Islamic law and adhering to its teachings.
Tariqah: Entering the spiritual path under the guidance of a Sufi master.
Haqiqah: Experiencing the inner reality and truth of existence through spiritual practices and disciplines.
Marifah: Gaining deep knowledge and understanding of divine mysteries.
Ishq: Attaining intense love and longing for the Divine.
Maqam: Reaching higher spiritual stations and states of consciousness.
Fana and Baqa: Experiencing annihilation of the self in the Divine and merging with the Divine essence.

The ten steps of Sufism:

There is no standard list of ten steps in Sufism, as the path and practices can vary. However, some Sufi teachings emphasize the following steps:

Seeking a spiritual guide (Murshid) and entering the Sufi path (Tariqah).
Observing religious obligations and following the Islamic law (Shariah).
Purifying the heart through remembrance of God (Dhikr) and meditation.
Practicing self-discipline and self-control (Tahleel).
Cultivating sincerity and truthfulness (Ikhlas).
Embracing poverty and detachment from worldly possessions (Zuhd).
Surrendering the ego and submitting to the will of God (Tawhid).
Seeking knowledge and understanding of divine truths (Marifah).
Engaging in acts of service and compassion towards others (Ihsan).
Attaining unity with the Divine and realizing the ultimate truth (Ma'rifat).

The stages of love in Sufism:

Sufi teachings often describe different stages of love on the spiritual path. These stages can vary depending on the Sufi tradition, but some common stages include:

Ishq-e-Dil: Love of the heart, characterized by longing and yearning for the Divine.
Ishq-e-Majazi: Symbolic love, where the Sufi seeks the beloved through various symbols and metaphors.
Ishq-e-Haqiqi: True love, where the Sufi realizes the presence of the Divine in all aspects of existence.
Ishq-e-Mutlaq: Absolute love, where the Sufi's love for the Divine becomes all-consuming and transcends all other attachments.
Ishq-e-Ma'bud: Love of the beloved, where the Sufi recognizes the Beloved in every form and being.
Ishq-e-Yaqeen: Love of certainty, where the Sufi attains complete faith and conviction in the Divine love.
Ishq-e-Murshid: Love of the spiritual guide, where the Sufi experiences a deep connection and love for their teacher or guide.

The classes of Sufism:

Sufism is not typically divided into specific classes. It is a spiritual path that can be pursued by individuals from various social, cultural, and educational backgrounds. Sufi teachings and practices are often transmitted through a hierarchical structure, with the guidance of a spiritual teacher or master (Murshid). However, these hierarchies are not based on social classes but rather on spiritual progression and knowledge.

The four stages of Sufism:

Sufism is not commonly described in terms of four stages. The stages of Sufism can vary depending on the tradition or interpretation. However, one possible division of Sufi stages is as follows:

Shariah: Following the Islamic law and external religious practices.
Tariqah: Embarking on the Sufi path under the guidance of a spiritual teacher.
Haqiqah: Experiencing the inner reality and truth of existence through spiritual practices and disciplines.
Ma'rifah: Attaining direct knowledge and realization of the Divine through mystical experiences.

The seven stages of Ishq:

Ishq, meaning intense love, is often described in Sufi poetry and literature. While there is no universally agreed-upon set of seven stages of Ishq, some interpretations mention the following stages:

Ishq-e-Haqiqi: True love for the Divine, beyond worldly attachments.
Ishq-e-Majazi: Symbolic love, seeking the Beloved through worldly symbols and metaphors.
Ishq-e-Mutlaq: Absolute love, where the lover becomes consumed by the beloved.
Ishq-e-Waswasi: Love mixed with doubts and whispers of the ego.
Ishq-e-Nafsani: Self-centered love, driven by egoistic desires.
Ishq-e-Murshid: Love for the spiritual guide or teacher who leads one towards the Divine.
Ishq-e-Tam: Complete and perfect love, where the lover merges with the Beloved and experiences divine unity.

The three pillars of Sufism:

Sufism is often described with three main pillars, representing the foundational aspects of the spiritual path:
Shari'ah: Following the Islamic law and adhering to the external rituals and obligations of the religion.
Tariqah: Embarking on the Sufi path, seeking inner purification and spiritual growth under the guidance of a spiritual teacher.
Haqiqah: Realizing the inner truth and ultimate reality of existence through direct experience and spiritual practices.

The number of types of Sufism:

Sufism is a diverse and multifaceted spiritual tradition, and different Sufi orders and lineages may have their own unique practices, teachings, and emphases. It is challenging to categorize Sufism into fixed types, as there are numerous variations and interpretations within the broader Sufi tradition. However, some scholars have identified different Sufi orders or schools, such as the Naqshbandi, Chishti, Qadiri, and Mevlevi, which have distinct lineages and practices.

The golden rule of Sufism:

The golden rule of Sufism, like in many other spiritual traditions, is to treat others as one would like to be treated. It emphasizes compassion, kindness, and empathy towards all beings. In Sufism, this principle is often expressed through the concept of "adab," which encompasses proper behavior, respect, and courtesy towards others, recognizing the presence of the Divine in everyone and everything.

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