What is called Sufism in simple words – a complete study

Sufism is a mystical and spiritual dimension of Islam. Practitioners Sufism are referred to as “Sufis”. Sufis emphasize the inner, personal experience with Allah (God) beyond the outward practices of Islam. Sufism focuses on the purification of the heart and soul, aiming to attain closeness to Allah (God) through love, devotion, and selflessness.

What is called Tasawwuf?

Sufism also translated as Tasawwuf which refers focusing on spiritual purification through practices like meditation, remembrance and devotion.

What are Aims and Objectives of Sufis?

While all Muslims believe that they will close to Allah after death in Paradise (Jannat), but in Sufism, Sufis believe that it may be possible to close to Almighty Allah by strong devotion in this life also. When a person follows Sufism and becomes Sufi, he has to leaves all the bad habits of his life and only tries to attain Allah. The Sufis believed that the relationship between man and God was that of the slave and the master.

Who are called Murshid and Mureed ?

Murshid means a Saint, Guide or Teacher also known as Sheikh, Peer. Mureed means a disciple or Follower. In Sufism, if someone want to become Sufi, then has to pledge to his Murshid and follows him. Murshid leads their disciples on the path of spiritual enlightenment and union with Allah (God) through its Chain, which starts from his Murshid, then the Murshid’s Teacher, then so on so, and it reaches finally to Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him through Imam Ali A.S.

What are Devotional practices of Sufis ?

Sufis also involves in various practices designed to draw the individual closer to Almighty Allah, such as Extra Prayers, remembrance (dhikr), Muraqaba (Meditation /Yoga), Sufi Whirling, Sufi Music and acts of kindness which are as follows:

Prayers:

Alongwith the Farz (compulsory Prayers), Sufis try to perform extra prayers to connect to Almighty Allah. In this regard, there is a famous Hadith, which is called Hadith Qudsi:   “My servant draws near to Me through nothing I love more than that which I have made obligatory for him. My servant never ceases drawing near to Me through supererogatory works until I love him. Then, when I love him, I am his hearing through which he hears, his sight through which he sees, his hand through which he grasps, and his foot through which he walks” – (Hadees No. 25 of 40 Hadith Qudsi)

Remembrance (Dhikr):

Sufis also perform Dhikr (the remembrance of Allah) through a specific devotional act, such as the repetition of divine names, supplications and aphorisms from Holy Quran and hadith. Sufis often read Allah Hu with the line of heart beat. Sufis also read 3 times, “Ilahî anta maqsûdî wa-ridâka matlûbî—my Allah, you are my Goal and Your good pleasure is what I seek”. To engage in dhikr is to practice consciousness of the Divine Presence and love, or to seek Almighty Allah.

Muraqaba (Meditation):

Sufis often practice Muraqaba (Meditation). Meditation is very useful activities to connect to Almighty Allah. Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya also adopted yogic breathing exercises.

Sufi whirling (Dance):

Sufi whirling is a form of physically active meditation which practised by the Sufi Darveshes . It’s aim to reach the source of all perfection. This is sought through abandoning one’s nafs (egos) or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on Almighty Allah and spinning one’s body in repetitive circles, which has been seen as a symbolic imitation of planets in the Solar System orbiting the Sun.

Sufi Music:

As in Islam, Musical instruments are prohibited except Daf (frame drum). But some Sufi Saints permitted and encouraged the Sufi Music except female voice. Like Qawwali was originally a form of Sufi devotional singing popular in the Indian subcontinent, and is now usually performed at Dargahs. Sufi saint Amir Khusrau is said to encourage it and these songs are classified into Hamd, Naat, Manqabat, Marsiya, etc.

Acts of kindness:

Sufis believe on Love to All concept whether one is from different religion, different countries. Sufis do acts of kindness without partially to anyone. Sufis often organize Langarkhana (free foods for all) with the concept of humanity and for all human being.

What are the Orders (Silsila) in Sufism ?

In Sufism, Sufis believe on orders (Silsila), also known as tariqas, are mystical brotherhoods within Islam, The four major Sufi orders in South Asia are the Chishtiya,  Suhrawardi, Naqshbadi and Qadiriya.

1. The Chisti Orders (Silsila):

The Chisti order was established in India by Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chisti (also known as Gharib Nawaz) around c.1192 CE. After staying in Lahore and Delhi, he finally shifted to Ajmer. There were also some great Saints in the Chisti Orders (Silsila) like Hazrat Farid-ud-din Ganj-i-Shakar – also known as Baba Farid, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, Hazrat Nasiruddin Chiragh-e-Dehlavi, Hazrat Sheikh Burhanuddin Gharib, Hazrat Muhammad Banda Nawaz etc.

2. The Suhrawardi Orders (Silsila):

The Suhrawardi’s order entered India at about the same time as Chistis but its activities were confined largely to the Punjab and Multan. This Sisila was founded by Shihabuddin Suhrawardi in Baghdad and was established in India by Bahauddin Zakariya.

3. The Naqshbandi Orders (Silsila):

This Silsila was established in India by Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi. It was later propagated by his successors, Shiekh Baqi Billah and Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1563 – 1624). They practised silent meditation of the heart, so were called “silent Sufis”.

4. The Qadri Order (Silsila):

Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir and his sons, Sheikh Niamatullah, Mukhdum Muhammad Jilani and Miyan Mir established the Qadri silsila during the Mughal rule and this order was popular in Punjab. Another famous saint of this order was Shah Badakhshani. The Mughal princess Jahanara and her brother Dara were disciples of this silsila.

After Prophet Muhammad – Pbuh, Imam Ali is the first Sufi (Friend of Allah):

Almost every Sufi order (Silsila) traces its lineage to Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him through ʿImam Alī. Sufis, believe that ʿImam Alī inherited the spiritual power from the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him as Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him said  that Ali un Wali Allah (Ali is the friend of Allah). After Prophet Pbuh, Imam Ali is the first Wali Allah (friend of Allah) and Wilayat (Chain of Friends of Allah) starts from Imam Ali.

To know more about Imam Ali A.S. click here : https://mahmoodkhan.in/imam-ali-as-is-the-most-virtuous-person-after-prophet-muhammad-pbuh-in-the-light-of-quran-and-hadith/

Conclusion:

Overall, in Sufism, it is believed that all human being are created by Almighty Allah (God) and they believe on the concept of Love for All as well as feeding to hunger, without any differences on the basis of casts, religions and colour. Sufis often focuses more on the spiritual and mystical aspects rather than the legalistic or doctrinal, as their only aim to be closer to Almighty Allah (God).