Introduction to Sufism

WHAT IS SUFISM?

Sufism or Tassawuf is defined as Islamic Mysticism and it refers to the quest for Truth and Divine Love.

The substance of Sufism is the Truth and the purpose of Sufism is the selfless experiencing and actualization of the Truth. The practice of Sufism is the intention to go towards the Truth, by means of love and devotion. This is called the tarigat, the spiritual path or way towards God. The sufi is one who is a lover of Truth, who by means of love and devotion moves towards the Truth, towards the perfection which all are truly seeking.

Origin of Sufism

There has been a lot of debate concerning the origin of Sufism as, though the movement is rooted in Islam, many of it's principles existed before even the advent of Islam in 610 CE.

From the earliest days, ascetic Muslim contemplatives practiced fasting, praying and meditation in seclusion. Perhaps because they wore rough garments made of wool (suf in Arabic), these people came to be known as ‘Sufis’ but there have been other suggested origins for the term, for example, it may also have connections with the word ‘safa’ for 'purity' and another is that it has links with the Greek 'sophia' or wisdom.

Sufism as we know it today originated in the 9th and 10th centuries in Islam as a group of religious minded people called sufis turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the Caliphate as a religious and political institution.

The Sufis were against the fundamentalist practices that existed at the time in Islam and were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Qur'an and sunna (traditions of the Prophet) adopted by theologians. They laid an emphasis on seeking salvation through intense love and devotion for God by following his commands, and by following the example of Prophet Muhammad whom they regarded as a perfect human being. They believed the Quran must be interpreted on the basis of personal experience.

Coming of Sufism to India

The Sufi saints played an important role in the contemporary Indian society. The Arabian trade influenced them to settle in the coastal parts of India. Due to their preaching and profess, there were many religious, social and political changes that had taken place. Thus, we see, Sufism had a great impact in contemporary India.

Following the entrance of Islam in the early 8th century, Sufi mystic traditions became more visible after the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century. Groups of Sufis migrated to India in the late 12th century which led to the establishment of Khanqah (hospices ran by Sufis).

Consequently, several orders or silsilas established around the Indian Subcontinent , for example - The Suhrawadiyya, Chistiyya, Naqshbandi, Qadiriyya.