Beyond the image of inclusivity, there is a counter-cultural aspect of Sufism, as well. Sufi mystics often lived life on the margins of society and went against what they regarded as petty cultural norms. Many of them were ascetics who wore austere clothing, such as the aforementioned rough wool garments. It is not correct to define Sufism as simply a counter-cultural phenomenon, however. It has always been and continues to be an integral part of mainstream Islam.
It has become intertwined with local traditions and folk practices of Islam, which often reflect certain pre-Islamic traditions of the area. Not any religion or cultural system. I am not from the East or the West. Tasawwuf has numerous definitions. Another approach to Tasawwuf can be the continuous venture of eliminating all types of bad maxims and evil conduct and working towards acquiring virtues. On the other hand, Abu Muhammad Jarir describes it as a state of resisting the temptations of the carnal self and bad moral qualities and acquiring laudable moral qualities.
There are some who describe Tasawwuf as the ability to look past the outward reality of things and events and interpret all happenings in the world with proximity to God Almighty.
The one who grasps this spiritual high often strives to live in a continuous effort of trying to attain this state of profound spirituality and attempts to constantly carry on the cognizance of being continually overseen by Him. We may sum up all the accounts of Tasawwuf iterated above as a means of being freed from all vices and weaknesses that pertain to human nature, while striving for angelic qualities in pursuit of pleasing God by living with the knowledge and love of the Creator; thus, benefitting from the spiritual satisfaction that comes with it.
Upon bearing these steps in mind, one may travel towards the goal in utmost humility and submission. Tasawwuf is a path which leads to the knowledge of God; and this demands solemnity. Thus, there is no room in it for negligent or frivolous manners. Like a honeybee flying from hives to flowers and back from flowers to hives, this path requires a continuous strive in the pursuit of the knowledge of God. Following the preliminary definitions [above], we shall attempt to discuss the aim, benefit, and principles of Tasawwuf:.
Tasawwuf requires a strict adherence to religious obligations, austerity in life-style, and the renunciation of carnal appetites. Over time, a great variety of Sufi brotherhoods was formed including several that were militaristic one of which established the Safavid Dynasty in Iran in the 15th century Ibid. Other important orders are the "Dhahabi" and "Kharksar" brotherhoods.
Sufi brotherhoods, i. Hence Iranian Sufis have experienced persecution by the clergy at certain periods of time. Under the late Shah, Sufism was revitalized due to the weakness of the clergy Ibid. While there is no indication of persecution of Sufis by the Islamic government of Iran, the Sufi brotherhoods are regarded suspiciously and generally have kept a low profile Iran: A Country Study , p.
Metz, Helen Chapin. Iran: A Country Study. It is said that human soul was some day in the vicinity of Divine presence, but later it was separated. It is the only means to achieve the objective, i. Love is divided into two varieties:. The opposition between love and reason has been always a subject of Sufi works. These two forces are in conflict within the human being. A similar conflict between the religious Law Shari'ah and love is discussed in the discourses of the Sufis.
To be brief, love is a method of purifying inner being through spiritual discipline. After being purified and cleansed, the heart becomes ready to receive the light of God. Now whatever man sees is God, and it is at this stage that real unity and perfection are achieved. One of the basic beliefs of the Sufis is tawakkul trust in God, resignation to His Will , which means acceptance of the Divine will in all matters.
Stress on trust tawakkul and submission taslim to God, and consent to Divine good pleasure rids shows that these qualities are regarded as the pillars of Islamic mysticism. They believe that every man's fate is predestined. Some Sufis accordingly retired into seclusion and refrained from doing anything at all.
However, others believe that work and effort is the means through which God has enabled us to struggle for attaining our goals in accordance with the Quranic edict:. Man shall have nothing except what he makes an effort for. Sari replied, "Since he has resided in the mountains, he has nothing to do. One should rather go out into the bazar, keep himself busy, and there not forget God even for a moment! Mawlawi defends the freedom of individual's will, and despite recognizing the principle of tawakkul, considers work and effort essential for life.
God has mixed good and evil, and true and false, so that man is able to produce in himself a touch stone of faith by resorting to tolerance and resignation; such a man accepts all kinds of evil and adversities, but always discovers beauty in everything.
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