|
|
Question
#93969. --simone--
asks:
What is 'Sufism'?
|
BRY2K
|
Sufism is generally understood by scholars to be the inner or mystical dimension of Islam.
A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a Sûfî, though some senior members of the tradition reserve this term for those practitioners who have attained the goals of the Sufi tradition. Another common denomination is the word Dervish .
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism
Mar 26 08, 7:36 PM
|
author
|
Sufism originated as a reaction to certain features of Orthodox Islam, such as...
* ...Orthodox Legalism
-- Because the Sufis regarded the mere observance of religious law as a matter of outer conformity, they encouraged a desire for inner, personal experience of the Divine, through meditation (dhikr: remembrance) and other means.
-- "Tariqa" the inner way of meditation, contrasted with "Shari'ah" the outer path.
-- Observance of "outer" Muslim law is only a first step, helping to sever the attachment to earthly things.
-- This leads to a negation of the self and a passing away ("fana") into God.
-- Some Sufis were inspired to open violation of the law, in order to indicate that they had transcended it.
* ...Worldliness of the Umayyad and Abbaasid Caliphates.
-- Encouraged the rejection of wealth and class distinctions.
-- Based themselves on the simpler lives led by Muhammad and the first Caliphs
-- Model of poor wandering Dervishes, Faqirs.
* ...Intellectualism of Theologians
-- Proclaimed the importance of intuitive mystical experience of God (Ma'rifa).
-- Perception that mystical experience is indescribable by human language leads to use of paradoxes and riddles, dancing, etc.
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/I_Transp/IO7_Sufism.html
Mar 26 08, 7:42 PM
|
author
|
Tariqah (or Persian: Tarighat) means "way", "path" or method. In Sufism, it is conceptually related to Haqīqah, truth, the ineffable ideal that is the pursuit of the tradition. Thus one starts with Islamic law, the exoteric or mundane practice of Islam and then is initiated onto the mystical path of a Tarīqah. Through spiritual practices and guidance of a Tarīqah the aspirant seeks Haqiqa or ultimate truth.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariqa
Haqīqah is literally translated as essence, or truth (derived from one of the 99 names of Allah, Al-Haqq, means The Truth). In Sufi thought, it refers to the inward vision of divine power achieved through mystical union with God, or alternatively "the ultimate way". Approached by Sufis through the use of intuitive and emotional spiritual faculties trained under the guidance of a sheikh, it is considered one station in the way towards God. Both Shiis and Sufis believe haqiqa can be reached through adherence to shariah and the principle of tawhid, although specific methods differ.
For Sufis, when an individual has gone through haqiqa and reached the station of marifa he or she is able to see the true nature of God.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haqiqa
Marifa literally means knowledge. The term is used by Sufi Muslims to describe mystical intuitive knowledge, knowledge of spiritual truth as reached through ecstatic experiences rather than revealed or rationally acquired. M. Fethullah Gulen in his book on Sufism describes Marifa ("knowledge of God") as a special knowledge that is acquired through reflection, sincere endeavor, using one's conscience and inquiring into one's inner world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marifa
Mar 26 08, 7:45 PM
|
|
Fun Trivia | 
Quizzes | 
Games
| 
People | 
Services | 
Help | 
Me
Sign up NOW for your free FunTrivia account. Compete,
join
teams, and meet people!
Have a question that you want answered? Are you able to answer questions from other FunTrivia guests? Then you have come to the right
place!