Sufism
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Mystical system also known as tassawuf. Most people are familiar with the whirling dervishes of Turkey. Stemming from an Islamic lineage, with influences from Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism. Sufism influenced the development of Sikhism and the Bahai religion. It encouraged the transfer of knowledge from Greek to Arabic development and is influential in architecture such as the Taj Mahal, pioneering the use of coffee, the concept of zero in mathematics, scientific methodology, gardening, medicine, craft, literature and depth psychology. As it becomes better known by Westerners its influential and highly developed researches are gaining widespread acclaim and adoption.
Rose wove on Chinese loom in silk
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[edit] Sufism
The diversity of Islamic sects including Sunni, Shi, Wahabi, Ismailism, and so on find common ground in opposing or integrating with Sufism (dependent on prevailing political, religious and other influences). This is a reflection of their prevailing interest.
Sufism is based on these rules.
1) Shariat
First of all strictly follow the islamic rules(sharia).
2) Tareekat
After following Sharia, one will be start learning Tareekat(Islamic Spirtualism) under a spritual teacher(Shaikh or Peer)
3) Ma'arifat
After practicing Tarakiat, one will get the real understanding of the Spiritualism by his own experience and it is called Ma'arifat.
4) Haqeeqat
And after all this, finally he finds the real truth(Haqeeat) about ALLAH.
The purpose of Sufism is to purify the inner or spirit to highest maximum level and prepare yourself to be very close to god(ALLAH).
According to sufi system, one has to select a spiritual teacher called Shaikh or Peer who will lead and guide him throughout all the way. The student is called "Salik"(The Learner or The Finder of True Path").
Selecting the Shaikh or peer is called "Bait". One first has to check the character of the Shaikh or Peer that he is truely following Sharia or not. A man not following islamic sharia cannot be a true Shaikh.
Then Shaikh judges the spirtual level the salik and advise him Azkar(Kalima, Darood, Quranic Verses etc) to recite for a specific number of time daily. These Azkar include the praise of ALLAH and thus have effect of "Noor"(Holy Light). The repetitions of these Azkar and strictly following islamic sharia collects more and more Noor into the heart(Qulb) of salik and purifies his spirit(Rooh). During the recitation of Azkar, salik has to pay full attention to ALLAH, and thus to reach a state where he will be able to ignore everything except ALLAH. This concentration to ALLAH is also practiced during five prayers(Salat or Namaz). This also fulfils the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad(Peace Be Upon Him), according ot that "Offer the Prayer in a way like you are looking at ALLAH, or if not possbile then at least in a way like ALLAH is looking at you".
Increase in the concentration raises the spirtual level of the Salik and he starts observing the things that others do not even feel. This streanthens his believe in ALLAH takes him more and more closer to ALLAH.
[edit] Main Schools
[edit] Gonabadi Order
The Nimatullahi Sultan Ali Shahi Gonabadi Order The largest Mystical order in Iran.
[edit] Oveyssi
Directs the truth seeker to find truth within. Everybody can (and should) experience the truth, and that is the only way to know. It is then practical path. One needs somebody who has walked the walk and knows the road, who knows the way, and dangers. The line of teachers go back to Oveys al-Gharani from Yemen, a companion and receiver of truth directly from prophet Mohammad PBUH, even though he never met Him in person, Prophet used to say : ""I smell Rahman (GOD) from Yemen"" and "" His name is Oveys, Follow him step by step, for he is the rescuer of my nation (omma)"". For more info on Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi School of Islamic Sufism, visit: http://www.mtoshahmaghsoudi.org/
[edit] Chishti Order
The high status accorded women and the respect and welcome of people following other religions than Islam enabled this school to flourish in multi-cultural India in particular during the Moghul Empire. Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti was the most popular saint of this order who migrated to India from Arabia on an instruction from Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him). Lakhs of people followed him and this sufi order spread across India
This sect believes in Wahdat-Ul-Wajood, i.e Everything in existence is due to the existence of Allah, & Allah is is present in everything".
For more information on the Chishti order see: http://www.uga.edu/islam/sufismorders.html#Chishti
[edit] Naqshibandiya
Most of the Muslim-populated North Caucasian region in Russia follows the mystical order of the Naqshbandiya. The uprising in Chechnya and its incursion into Dagestan is turning the Naqshbandi followers to the more strict orthodoxy of the Saudi-based Wahabi order. Russian onslaught in Chechnya is transforming the mystical faith into a militant one.
[edit] Kalandar
Associated with wandering minstrels. This is actually a level of sufism that is acheived by first strictly following the sharia(rules of islam) and then learning the spirtualism(Roohaniat) under the orders of a teacher(Shaikh or Peer) who has already reached a good level.
[edit] Shatiriya
The fast way similar to tantra in some aspects.
[edit] Bektashi
Bektashi at Wikipedia.
[edit] Zahediyeh
- Zahediyeh at Wikipedia.
[edit] Safaviyeh
- Safaviyeh at Wikipedia.
[edit] Moiniya
[edit] Moiniya Hamidiya
This sect is one of the branch that comes from both famous sects of sufism namely Quadri and Chishti. This was lead by His Holiness Hazrat Sayyed Akbar Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him)--> Hazrat Sayyed Mohd. Iftikhar Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him)-->Hazrat MoinUllah Shah (Peace be upon Him)--> and Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him). After this the deciples of Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him), still follow his path and teachings which is common even today like Khatm-e-Khwajgan which is recited weekly. Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him) left Hazrat Ghulam Ali Shah as Sajjadah Nasheen to handle & accomplish all the duties of this sect as it was during life of Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace b upon Him). Till today one can feel the pureness and greatness of the teachings of Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him) which is kept alive by Sajjadah Hazrat Ghulam Ali Shah Sahab and Hazrat Haamid Ali Shah Sahab.
Sajjadah Hazrat Ghulam Ali Shah Sahab has published one book named Fahem-wa-Amal which is a complete composition and collection of the teachings of Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him).
Hazrat Haamid Ali Shah Sahab is said to be shadow of his Peer-O-Murshid Hazrat Hamid Ali Shah (Peace be upon Him) since Hazrat Haamid Ali Shah has truely and faithfully followed teachings and has made a great effort in making more deciples & turning peoples towards right path of Sufism which is said to be Rooh of Islam. Hazrat Haamid Ali Shah Sahab says He has never turned his back to his Peer's teachings since he was 23 of age. Hazrat haamid Ali Shah remains on a continous tour through out India especially Maharashtra, to make people understand teachings of his Peer-O-Murshid. He has never been seen resting at one place Aurangabad Sharif which is his native. Hazrat says "I am greatfull to my lord my peer that he has given me this opportunity to serve peoples with his teachings". He also thanks to Sajjadah Hazrat Ghulam Ali Shah Sahab for his support through out in spreading teachings. According to Hazrat(Haamid Ali Shah Sahab), he is born on this earth only to service & please his Peer-O-Murshid by spreading truth of Islam via Sufism. These teachings are called Tareeqat since the tareeqah(method)of knowing God is followed in sequence & in chain from Peer to Peer till Hazrat Ali (RA) & then finally Huzur Muhammed (SAWS). This teaching is also termed as ILM-E-SEENA(knowledge of heart) which is the knowledge that is transfered from Seena to Seena(heart to heart) from Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) to our Peer-o-Murshid. Tareeqat is therefore based on Tasawwuf. Tasawwuf is nothing but condition of heart. It is recommended to follow tareeqat after completing shariyat. Shariyat is knowledge of Halaal & Haraam (do's & dont's). It shows us the way how to behave & how to appear in society as a muslim ummath. It is based on 5 pillars of Islam namely-->namaz, roza, Hajj, zakath & jehaad. Tareeqath is knowledge of what should be our attitude towards these 5 prayers & what should be the condition of our heart while praying. Ma'arifat: After combining both in right proportion & manner one achieves & attains a postion called Ma'arifat. The one who attains Ma'arifat is called Aarif meaning the one who has known Allah. Haqeeqat When Aarif can hold himself firmly on this position then there itself his soul gets enlightened with Haqeeqat. It is again a top level of Ma'arifat where there is no hijaab(wall or hurdle) between Aarif & Allah. All these levels are followed in chain & fall one after other. Shariyat is said to be the body & tareeqt, ma'aarifat, haqiqat are said to be its soul. Body is useless without soul & soul can not do anything without it body. So both are interdependent & holds great importance with each other. Shariyat if for oneself for our own on how to behave & how to live, what to do & what not to do. Shariyat is for knowing our limits or knowing our self, Tariqat is to follow Peer & know Peer in order to attain his spirit, Ma'rifat is to know Huzoor Muhammed(SAW) & attain his love then Haqiqat is to know Allah Almighty & to attain his knowledge & meet him. Therefore a Mureed has to be complete & true in Shariyaat then only he can achieve levels falling after it. Our Dada Peer Hazrat Sayyed Iftekhar Ali Shah (RA) has said & which is very famous in sufis that "Jiski Shariyat me baal barabar kami reh gayi to uski Tariqat me baal barabar gunjaish nahi hai" These teachings were said to be taught by Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) to his Sahabas (peace be upon them). Just think seriously on this: Today why Ummath is on decline & is defeated every where in world though we are very large in number, Why? Answer is that we have divided ourselves because our groups follow either only Shariyath or Tareeqat alone. The group who emphasis on Shariyat is empty from its soul i.e Tareeqath & another group which follows Tareeqath has no relation with Shariyat. Therefore both groups live & end their lives meaning less. This is where Shaitaan (Satan) wins & we help him win by dividing ourselves & by not following true islam which is still present & alive with Sufi's, sahib-e-dil, buzurgaan-e-deen in khankaah-e-aluliya. Where they are taught lessons of Love & how to defeat Shaiytan by defeating our evil will. Sahabas use to hold great love for their Peer-o-Murshid Huzoor Muhammed (SAWS) & so they use to follow each & every task with out any delay & problem. Today ummath lacks the spirit of Love & therefore every where Ummath is declining in faith & spirit. Ummath has to therefore follow the path of Sahabees & have to become Mureed to attain the faith in true sense. One needs somebody who has walked the walk and knows the road, who knows the way, and dangers, the rehbar rehnuma i.e. Peer-o-Murshid.Since the time Ummath has stopped becoming deciples of Peer-o-Murshid they got divided & Shaitan has got chance to play around with them. Huzur Peer-o-Murshid Hazrat Haamid Ali Shah Sahab says "Shaitan lets momin do every good work but never let him become a Mureed because he knows if he becomes Mureed then he will be safe from Shaitan's hands". Muslims have been divided just because they dont have a common faith because they dont have common teacher i.e. they dont follow a common path by becoming Mureed. Hazrat Ghaus-e-Azam (peace be upon him) had said that "jiska koi Peer nahi uska Peer Shaitan hai". Today we can see truth of his sayings. The Islam that we understand is not islam as our thought capacity is very limited & we tend to percieve as per our boundaries with help of what ever we read or hear. It is here where we get targeted by Shaitan. We need to follow the path & walk on the path where Murshid has walked & has seen all the ups & downs & dangers. It is called Tariqat. Shaitan has wrongly spread the thought that Followers of Peeri Mureedi are (Ma'azAllah)doing shirks & they are bending in front of Gair Allah. This is where he (shaitan)has suceeded in dividing us in name of Shirk. Shirk is the one which he did by denying Allah & not doing Sajdah to Adam (A.S). He now wants all of Muslims to fall prey to same mistake. He made a mistake by Defining Adam Gair Allah i.e. different from Allah, where as none of the existance in this world or univerese is different from Allah. Every thing exist just because of Allah rabbul Izzat. Other form of weapon of Shaitan is Bida'at. Bida'at means new invention or new methodology. Sufis are not at all doing any Bida'at rather they are following the same old method which Huzur (SAW) has directed us to & has verily said "My Sahabas are like stars, follow them if you want to walk in right direction". Sahabas followed Their Peer-o-Murshid Huzur (SAW), then Tab'aeen followed Sahabas, Tabe Taba'een followed Taba'eens, Auliya follow Tabe Taba'eens & so on till my Peer-o-Murshid Hazrat Haamid Ali Shah Sahab. Therefore Peeri Mureedi is actualy following the path of Sahabas which is obeying Rasool Allah (SAW). Ummath is no where now because they are not obeying Rasool (SAW). One can never atain the wisdom of Sahabas untill & unless he follows his Peer. Therefore it is mandatory for one to become Mureed (desciple)to become a Momin the way Rasool Allah (SAW) wants us to be. Earlier some 200 years ago every Muslim use to become deciple (Mureed) of Peer & it was taken as a very compulsory to have Peer-o-Murshid else that man was not treated as a good Muslim in comunity even if he use to follow all rules of Shariyat. This was because every one was worried as per the saying of Huzur Gaus-e-Azam (RA) & didn’t wanted to be deciple of Shaitan. This air of shirk & Bid'aat has poluted the true & very pure Islamic concept of soul purification & thus has stoped Muslims from becoming true Momin. Hazrat Sayyed Akbar Ali Shah (RA) traveled from Shahjahan pur to Hyderabad in search of Peer & finaly reached khankah of Hazrat Sayyed Shah Shajaul Haqqani (RA). Similarly Hazrat Sayyed Iftekhar Ali Shah(RA) spent 12 years in Ajmer at Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishty as he was keen on becoming mureed of Khwaja sahab. He use to sweep the floor of dargah & mosque & lighten the candles. This he did for 12 years & finaly one day he saw Khawaja Ajmeri in his dreams saying "go to Hyderabad & become mureed of Sayyed Akbar Ali Shah" He insisted i want to bcome your Mureed, Khwaja sahab replied " Akbar Ali is me & i am Akbar Ali. Go & become his desciple." Hazrat Iftekhar Ali Saha(RA)then travelled to Hydrabad & he was welcomed by Hazrat Akbar Ali Shah (RA) as he was also intimated by Khwaja Ajmeri about arival of Hazrat Iftikhar(RA). Hazrat Iftikhar Ali Shah(RA) when became mureed he then atained great name & fame among suifs & is still remembered by his mystical poetries & ashars where he has defined his travel of within himself & then reaching his spirit in Diwan-e-Watan. Watan was his takhallus(title). One of his famous ashar from his poem: 'Mai jab hi tak tha ke teri jalwa peerai naa thi. Jo namud-e-Haq se mitt jata hai wo batill hu mai. Meaning: I was there in side my body till time there was no sign of my Peer, I am that falsehood which vanishes with birth of truth. Murid is false hood & Peer is truth.' If we will read biography of other Auliya's we will come to know that every one had Murshid & they had tried hard to find them in their life.
None of the Auliya Allah is without Murshid because this is the only way to attain Ma'arifat & Haqiqat of Allah Subhanhuta'aala.
[edit] Quaddiri
A system derived by & from His Holiness Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (Peace be Upon him) & his deciples. They belive " Wahdat-UL-Shahud, i.e Everything in existence is due to presence of Allah & every thing gives shadat of Allah's Existance".
[edit] Rufi
[edit] Philosophy
Universal sufferage and inspired and exhalted love. A stress on ascetic practices such as night vigils, fasting and zhikr (prayer repetitions). Important ideas are kismet (fate) and baraka (spiritual grace or power). Great emphasis is placed on the tariqa (circle) of the teachers influence. By alignment with a tradition or path, the qualities and transmissions associated with a particular methodology develop. Students travel through different stations (phases) during which qualities are stabilised. Conditions of ecstasy and sobriety alternate and are eventually superceded. Some groups such as the kalandars are reknowned for inducing altered states of consciousness.
[edit] Hagiography
Al Ghazzali One of the great 'Hakim' of Islam and also a reknowned mystic
The Persian Rumi
Your heart may have a thousand locks;
do not fear: search for the shop of Love.
Love will unlock your heart.
Rumi
The Spaniard Ibn-Arabi
Nasrudin Mythical, fun teaching tool, also known as Hodja
Nasrudin sat on a river bank
when someone shouted to him from the other bank:
"Hey! how do I get across?"
"You are across!" Nasrudin shouted back.
The poet Attar
famous for the 'Conference (or parliament) of the Birds'
With your whole heart and soul,
seek to regain Reality,
nay seek for Reality within your own heart,
for Reality, in truth, is hiddin within you.
Attar
[edit] Influences
[edit] Poetry
[edit] Dance
Whirling dervishes
[edit] Western Developments
The first noticeable development of Sufi ideology came from the Persian religion of Zoroasta and the mystical teachings of the Jews and the Christians.This idealogy of SUFISM was totally changed when it was blended with Greek ideas and the obvious major heritage and lineage of the Hadith and Koran. Much cross-cultural integration of Sufism came from the French and Spanish colonies of the Islamic empires.
