Islam Flashcards
The substance of Sufism is the
Truth and the meaning of Sufism is the selfless experiencing and actualization of the Truth, by means of love and devotion.
Internalise
God
Sufism’s not a
sect/denomination of Islam. It is part of Islam Islamic Mysticism Branch
Arose in
8th-9th centuries
Sufism developed religious practices focusing on
strict self-control that enable both psychological and mystical insights as well as a loss of self, with the ultimate goal of mystical union with God.
Sufis believe the spiritual journey of the soul on its return to God takes ___ what is the first
many stages
- The first and most important stage is repentance. Not always form sins but also from the material life
sufi stages: o Tawakkul-
trust-in God above any need or desire
sufi stages:o Irada-
desire-personal desire is replaced by desire for God
sufi stages: Dhikr
o -remembrance-experience of constant awareness of God-
sufi stages:o Marifa
-mystic knowledge-knowledge which enters the heart directly from God. It is the attribute of the one who knows God
Sufis belongs to
Tariqas, orders
Sufi Orders/ Tariqas (points)
- These orders have a master who will teach sacred knowledge to others in the group.
- The role of the teacher is fundamental-Murshid
- The student (Murid) submit to the will of the teacher (Shaykh)
- Student owes utter devotion to teacher as it symbolises utter devotion to religion
- Sufi Schools – bring up with religion but also charity, inner peace, helping at hospitals
- Some Orders: Qadiriyah, The Mevlevi tariqa
Sufi Practices intended to help
them realize union with God
Sufi practices inclue
- “Whirling Dervishes,” a Turkish Sufi order that practices meditation and contemplation of God through spinning.
Sufi Practice of - Dhikr -
devotional acts in Islam in which short phrases or prayers are repeatedly recited silently within the mind or aloud
“remember God often”. (33:40) “the remembrance of God makes the heart calm” (13:28)
o Through dhikr, Sufi masters train students to purify their hearts and souls.
o Through Dhikr, Sufis reach happiness, mercy of God, purity of spirit and adornment of the soul.
Sufism Contribution
Rabia
Al Garali
Rumi
Rabia al adawiya
- Rabia al-Adawiya lived during the 8th century C.E., and is one of the most famous female Sufis in history.
- She is most well known for her asceticism, as she rejected wealth materialism and love as she was a celibate
Rabia al adawiya (quote)
“One must love God as God is love”\
“God can give me more or even double what can be given with a husband. It does not please me to be distracted from god for a single moment
Al Gazali
- Al-Ghazâlî (11th Century) is one of the most prominent and influential philosophers, theologians, jurists, and mystics of Sunni Islam
- Studied jurisprudence
- Seen as the most important teacher in the history of Islam-known as “the proof of Islam” as he achieved an integration between faith, reason and mysticism that made him very accessible to the modern mind and gave him a place as one of islams greatest scholars and recognition as one of the mujaddid “the renewer of Islam”
- His great notoriety gave Sufism credibility
Jalaluddin Rumi
Rumi (13th century) in Balkh in present-day Afghanistan.
- Dedicated to waking people up, and encouraging them to experience life themselves, rather blindly following the scholars of the day.
- When was 35 met a Sufi called Shams with whom he had life changing relationship
- After Shams disappearance, Rumi searched for him. While searching he wrote or dictated his poetry
- His poetry shows his profound love of God
- It is believed that Rumi would turn round and round while reciting his poetry, and it is this dance which formed the basis for the Whirling Dervishes.
- Dervish means doorway, and the dance is believed to be a mystical portal between the earthly and cosmic worlds.
- Rumi’s Seven Pieces of Advice reflect the high level of inner purity that Sufis strive for.
“In generosity and healing others, be like a river In modesty and humility be like earth. In tolerance be like a sea. Either exist as you are or be as you look.”
effect of Sufism
- Sufism has helped to shape large parts of Muslim society
- Some masters have raised their voices against social inequality and have tried, even at the cost of their lives, to change social and political conditions for the better and to spiritually revive the masses.
- Contribution through poetry and art are a source of happiness
- The importance of Sufism for spiritual education, and inculcation in the faithful of the virtues of trust in God, piety, faith in God’s love, and veneration of the Prophet, cannot be overrated.
- Mysticism permeates Persian literature and other literatures influenced by it. Such poetry has always been a source of happiness for millions
- Today’s modern world Sufism offers support to the individual by training him in the needed values such as respect for relations and living, appreciation for love.
When in doubt talk about in Islam
Muhammad :)