Sufism arose from within islam in the 8th9th centuries c. The movement may have been given or taken on the name sufism because of the course wool garments they wore as. Sufis trace the origin of sufism or tasawwuf to the prophet of islam. Name and origin by paul yachnes sufism has been described in many different ways by scholars writing in english, throughout this century, but they all agree on its essential character as being the inner, esoteric, mystical, or purely spiritual dimension of the religion of islam. Origins home origins having glimpsed the universal spirituality revealed in the quran, what remains significant and compelling for the sufi is the particular grace operating through the specific forms of the islamic revelation. When a little persian sect at the end of the eighth century a. Sufism, or tasawwuf in arabic, is practiced by many muslims around the world, both shia and sunni, as a personal, mystical, or. They consider love to be the only means of reaching god. Abdul hamid suleiman and the origins of the moorish science. Ancient origins articles related to sufism in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Pdf sufism tasawwuf is the name given to mysticism in islam. Sufism is a muslim movement whose followers seek to find divine truth and love through direct encounters with god. Despite these general stages, however, the history of islamic mysticism is largely a history of individual mystic experience.
Gabriel told muhammad that god had commissioned muhammad as his last prophet. Tara chand, sufism is a religion of intense devotion. Suharawardiyya order of sufism became popular in bengal contemporary relevance of sufism, 1993, published by indian council for cultural relations. Sufism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. Farida khanam sufism tasawwuf is the name given to mysticism in islam. A history of meditation in the west meditation first began to be of interest in the west in the 1700s, when some of the eastern philosophy texts, containing references to meditation techniques and practices, were translated into different european languages. Oct 31, 2012 it is claimed that there are or were initiatic brotherhoods based in the city with lineages going back deep into ancient times before the greeks, persians, indians, arabs, turks and others, adapting to the coming and going of changing empires. There are many opinions regarding the origin of this word. Pdf basran origins of classical sufism christopher. The practice and oral circulation of the commandments pertaining to belief, worship, and daily life enabled people to memorize them. Sahabi companion was the only title given to the muslims of that period. Sufism, or tasawwuf as it is known in the muslim world, is islamic. The book also provides information on the quranic origins of sufism and its special relations with shiism as well as the role of shii imams in the spiritual realization of a sincere wayfarer. However, it was only a few centuries later that the practice came to be known as sufism.
Origin of sufism, origin of tasawwuf,origin of sufi,origin of. In the first place, therefore, i propose to offer a few remarks on the origin and historical development of sufism, its relation to islam, and its general character. The sufi way is contemporary expression of a perennial spiritual path. The word sufi derives its name from another arabic word suf which means wool. One of the most famous saints in the history of sufism was sayyid. The philosophy and practices of sufism may very aptly be stated in the words of dr. Sufism in india a bloodied history the overbearing scholarly perceptions suggesting that the sufis resorted to only peaceful and humble mannerism in order. As an inner school it is dedicated to nurturing mystical awakening in individuals. Some scholars traced the seeds of soofism to the early stages of the second century of the hijri calendar, while others pointed out that the early features of it began before the year 200 after hijrah ah. A sufi is a muslim who seeks annihilation of the ego in. A pathbreaking history of sufism, from the earliest centuries of islam to the present. Thereafter, from time to time, new elements and modification were introduced into the teachings and practices of sufism. It grew out of an early ascetic movement within islam, which sought to counteract the worldliness that came with the rapid expansion of the muslim community. This article provides a description of sufism and information about its history and practice.
Gods spiritual paths adaptation and renewal in the context of modernization. Sufism is popular in such african countries as egypt, tunisia, algeria, morocco, and senegal, where it is seen as a mystical expression of islam. A short introduction to origin, beginning and history of sufism or tasawwuf 76 observed incessant prayer and fasting as did the prophet muhammad s. The th century is considered the golden age of sufism, in which some of the greatest mystical poetry was composed. The medieval history of india is a vast topic which students generally feel difficult to cover and moreover. In this paper, i will briefly introduces different sources with suggest sufism is in fact part of a far time. Sharda in his book, sufi thought sufi literature of the posttimur period shows a significant change in thought content. Pdf the origin and evolution of sufism researchgate. In connection with the origins of omni pdf converter sufism, attitudes have changed very rapidly. Must read books on sufism online ebooks you cannot become a sufi mystic. On the origin of the word of sufi, and its adoption, there are many different opinions among the learned. An introduction to the history of sufism internet archive. An introduction to the history, practices, and beliefs of sufi islam. From mosques to khanqahs the origins and rise of sufi.
Bismi allahirrahmanirrahim the word sufi is derived from the arabic word suf which means wool and which refers to the coarse woolen robes that were worn by the prophet muhammad pbuh and by his close companions. According to the sufi tradition the origins of sufism date all the way back to the practices and life of the prophet muhammad pbuh and the quran. Islamic mysticism had several stages of growth, including 1 the appearance of early asceticism, 2 the development of a classical mysticism of divine love, and 3 the rise and proliferation of fraternal orders of mystics. Govt, hamidia arts and commerce college bhopal, barkatullah university bhopalmadhya pradesh, india. Pdf sufism in history and its relationship with power islamic. Virtually all of the following ebooks and articles are in pdf format. It is generally believed that sufism is derived from two arabic words i. The origin of sufism fethullah gulens official web site. History of sufism follows a long period of evolution since the time of the prophet. However, some scholars contend sufism is a far older religion disguised in islamic garb. Sufism in india a bloodied history indiafactsindiafacts. Sufism is mystical and ascetic form of islam practiced by tens of millions of muslims. The word sufi is derived from the arabic word suf which means wool and which refers to the coarse woolen robes that were worn by the prophet muhammad pbuh and by his close companions. The link between teacher pir and disciples muridwali was vital for the sufi system.
Rather, it was inseparably and essentially present in the spirituality of islam. In addition, they were able to make some subjects of sufism like the states of the spirit, certainty or conviction, sincerity and morality, which are dealt with by tasawwuf more profoundly, a part of the curriculum of madrasasthe institutions where religious sciences are taught. Sufism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf ebooks. The origins of sufism abu bakr siraj aldin martin lings in this revised version of the origins of sufism, with additional documentation, the article is rich in providing deep insights into the qur.
A number of mystics in the early generations had concentrated their efforts upon tawakkul, absolute trust in god, which became a central concept of sufism. Isf online book reader has lightbox feature book can be displayed in the same page with lightbox effect. The revelations muhammad received until his death in 632 constitute the quran, islams holy book. Dec 08, 2007 sufism has been a prominent movement within islam throughout most of its history. Muhammad saws and his companions ashab, the term sufism tasawwuf did not exist as a distinct discipline. The sufis will often say that sufism came before islam and will be sufism after islam too. Orientalists have expressed various opinions concerning the origins of sufism. The origins of sufism there is disagreement among religious scholars and sufis themselves about the origins of sufism. They claim that there are great resemblances between the soofee adept and ahlusuffa. Published by threshold books excerpts from love is a stranger poetry of mevlana jalaluddin rumi translated by kabir helminski the root of the root of your self dont go away, come near. A short introduction to origin, beginning and history of sufism or tasawwuf 75 a short introduction to origin, beginning and history of sufism or tasawwuf 1ajay kumar ghosh, 2sumeer ahmad mir 1professor of history. It was a reality without a name which was practiced in the daily lives of the companions.
All texts will be provided as pdf s on the blackboard site, and will be uploaded at least. Understanding the concept of islamic sufism journal of education. Download masnavi rumi, saadi, hafiz, khayam, attar in pdf format presents masterpieces of literature by sufis and saints which can be downloaded in ebook format pdf. There are thousands of books written on this genre. Sufism within a historical and crosscultural perspective. Suharawardy order of sufism was founded by shihabuddin suharawardy of baghdad and introduced in india by his disciple bahauddin zakariya of multan. Although sufism mostly concentrates on the individuals inner world and deals with the meaning and effect of religious commandments on ones. Nicholson of cambridge cited similarities between the works of sufis and greek philosophers. The sufis are an ancient spiritual freemasonry whose origins have never been traced or dated.
Abdul hamid suleiman and the origins of the moorish science temple patrick d. The term is taken from the root word in arabic suf which. An iraqi school of mysticism became noted for its strict selfcontrol and psychological insight. As some postmodernist critics of history writing have claimed, co5 gently, history is always history for someone, and that someone cannot be the past itself, for the past does not have a self. Sufism tasawwuf is the name given to mysticism in islam. Origin of sufism can be traced a long way back in the history of islam, and was known to have existed even before the time of prophet muhammad. This contemplative process depends upon the simultaneous nurturing of psychological health, openheartedness, and caring action. Sufism is traditional in morocco but has seen a growing revival with the renewal of sufism around contemporary spiritual teachers such as sidi hamza al qadiri al boutshishi. The term is taken from the root word in arabic suf which means wool. The sufis did not attach importance to namaz, hajj and. Origins and nature of the sufis robert graves light. Some authors argue that it was influenced by greek philosophy. The following is a list of the various arabic and other words.
Sufism in history and its relationship with power authors. Historian tara chand says, sufism indeed was a religion of intense devotion, love was its passion. Sufism has been opposed since its inception, in spite of its enduring appeal and broad base of adherents. The traditional view is that sufism is the mystical school of islam and had its beginnings in the first centuries following the life of the prophet mohammad. On the origin of the word of sufi, and its adoption, there are many different. The origins of sufism like many other sufi doctrines, pantheism is adopted from manmade religions and philosophies, as confirmed by s. Even though sufism as the school of spiritual knowledge based on self cognition as the door toward understanding the realities of being is a school open to all humanity, but it was born out of islam and is the heir to the treasures of knowledge from the sacred heart of the prophet mohammed, and has practiced its way accordingly. In tracing the history of sufism, the earliest instances of sufism can be found even before the time of the prophet muhammad. The presence of sufism has been a leading entity increasing the reaches of islam throughout south asia.
This paper examines the evolution of sufi institutions from the realm of the mosque institutions to the independent and selfgoverning bodies and. Abdul hamid suleiman and the origins of the moorish. The traditional definition of sufism is esoteric islam. As the history of islamic religious sciences tells us, the religious commandments were not recorded in the earliest times of islam. The word sufi is derived from the word suf, meaning wool. At times labeled heretical or simply extremist, each age has had its own sufis and anti. Following the entrance of islam in the early 8th century, sufi mystic traditions became more visible during the 10th and 11th centuries of the delhi sultanate and after it to the rest of india. These secret instructions are acted upon by a disciple with perfect faith in the teacher. The next important stage in sufi history was the development of fraternal orders, in which disciples followed the teachings of a leaderfounder.
All texts will be provided as pdfs on the blackboard site, and will be uploaded at least one week prior to the class in which they will be discussed. But radical islamists have taken to targeting sufis in brutal. June 14, 2015 the early sufi mystics stressed on the virtues of repentance, abstinence, renunciation, poverty and trust in god. Of the numerous orders of islam, sufism is defined as the inner and mystical dimension. After centuries as the most important asceticmystical strand of islam, sufism saw a sharp decline in the twentieth century, only to experience a stunning revival in recent decades. Mbacke suggests that one reason sufism has taken hold in senegal is because it can accommodate local beliefs and customs, which tend toward the mystical.
In its earliest form, sufi teachings stressed that an individual should give. Sufism is traditional in morocco, but has seen a growing revival with the renewal of sufism under contemporary spiritual teachers such as hamza al qadiri al boutchichi. An abstract word, sufism derives from the arabic term for a mystic. Origin of sufism, origin of tasawwuf,origin of sufi,origin. The history and methodology of sufism sufism is an esoteric doctrine transmitted by word of mouth, and sometimes without even a spoken or written word, by an authorized teacher to a disciple, and from disciple to another disciple, in confidence. Nicholson draws lines to old christian, gnostic, neoplatonistic and even the buddhist influences from where sufism read more and download pdf. However, it took a formal shape much later with the first known sufi, hasan of basra. Since the sufis meditated upon god on a carpet, sufism took its birth i. It must be noted that even if sufism does indeed offer a positive mes sage, this. Origins and nature of the sufis robert graves from his introduction to idries shahs the sufis. Bridging the gulf between the islamic clerics and sufis, wali ullah infused new vigour in practice of naqshbandi sufi order. However it was only after the arrival of the prophet that the practice came to be known by the name of sufism.
1301 1279 347 1283 566 1224 41 653 529 431 1195 186 268 75 77 371 1081 1309 1122 376 21 1061 621 15 582 1131 1039 258 824 1306 1351 307 197