Sufism

Question 1

What does Awaliya mean and who are they?

Answer 1

It means friends of God - for Shiah’s these are the Imams and for Sufis it is the Saints.

Question 2

What does Wilaya mean?

Answer 2

“Friendship of God”. This refers to the Saints who have a special relationship with God.

Question 3

What does Qushayri say about the Saints?

Answer 3

God will protect them but they must be totally obedient to God. He also says they are protected from sin and unaware of their own status (no ego).

Question 4

What did Sulami say about the Saints and what does this say about them?

Answer 4

“The end of the Saints is the beginning of the prophets”. This shows that the saints aren’t as important as the prophets.

Question 5

How did the Saints influence teachings?

Answer 5

Sayings of the saints were put together in biograhpies, which included stories, which had points, and miracles of the Saints

Question 6

Give an example of a biography of a Saint?

Answer 6

Sulami put together “the generations of the Sufis - contained guidance of ethics and spirituality”

Question 7

Give an example of a story of a Saint.

Answer 7

Attar’s story of the execution of al Hallaj.

Question 8

Given an example of a miracle performed by a Saint.

Answer 8

Khatun - a fish became luminous after she looked at it.

Question 9

Why are the biographies important?

Answer 9

Because reading them bestowed the blessings of the saint, gave ethical guidance. Enabled the saint to be well known.

Question 10

What does Ihsan in the Gabriel Hadith mean?

Answer 10

Perfection - to show faith (iman) in action.

Question 11

What does Sufism mean?

Answer 11

From safa, meaning purity but best defined by quotes.

Question 12

What does Qalb mean?

Answer 12

Heart

Question 13

What does Ruh mean?

Answer 13

Breath of God

Question 14

What does Fana mean?

Answer 14

One with God/annihilation of self.

Question 15

What is a Mureed?

Answer 15

Sufi disciple

Question 16

What is a Qutb/Shaykh/Murshid?

Answer 16

Sufi spiritual leader.

Question 17

What is Hal?

Answer 17

a deep state of spiritual consciousness.

Question 18

What does Tazkiyat mean?

Answer 18

To purify

Question 19

What are nafs?

Answer 19

Vices

Question 20

Describe the state of Fana.

Answer 20

Achieved when the Sufi is drowned in God. It is the third stage of Tazkiyat al nafs (the purification of the nafs). In a state of pure love for God - the sufi takes on God’s qualities. Gets rid of the ego, and the ruh takes over the Qabl. Sex (self annihilation) and drunkenness (loss of reason, unity with God) used to symbolise Fana.

Question 21

What are Shatahats?

Answer 21

Divinely inspired statements made in a state of Fana.

Question 22

Give an example of a Shatahat.

Answer 22

Al-Hallaj shouted “I am the truth” and “I am God” he was put to death.

Question 23

Why are Shatahats important?

Answer 23

They symbolise unity being reached between the Sufi and Allah. They are statements that should be taken allegorically.

Question 24

What are the key aspects of sober sufism?

Answer 24

Study Islamic law, teachings and shariah. They study hard. Sobriety is often a state after drunkness. Sober Sufi’s emphasise importance of Baqa (persistence of self) - going back into society after fana and being constantly aware of God.

Question 25

What does Tariqah mean?

Answer 25

The sufi path. These are the stages towards fana and are called stations. Sufis vary in the number of stations they think there are but the Mureed will be led through them by the Shaykh.

Question 26

What are Balkhi’s four stages in Tariqah?

Answer 26

Asceticism, fear, longing for paradise and love of God.

Question 27

How does Attar describe Tariqah?

Answer 27

Tells the conference of the birds who fly over 7 valleys towards spiritual enlightenment.

Question 28

What does Rumi describe in his song of the reed?

Answer 28

Tells of the spiritual journey e.g. being separated by sin, the need to get rid of sin, to get rid of desire, have only passion and love for God, the path is a secret but we must keep searching or go mad with grief.

Question 29

What practices help achieve Tariqah?

Answer 29

Five daily prayers plus five more. Prayers for particular days and activities. Dhikr - takes them to the heart of God - “There is no God but God” is the most important Dhikr. Fasting - reminds them of their dependency on God - during Ramadan but also may fast on alternate days and for longer. Meditation - on fear, paradise and love of God.

Question 30

What is significant about a Shaykh?

Answer 30

Have to be related back to Muhammad through the Caliph Ali. They have achieved Fana.

Question 31

Why do disciples swear allegiance to a master?

Answer 31

In order to help them to also achieve Fana.

Question 32

What is the origin of oath of allegiance?

Answer 32

Goes back to when Muslims swore allegiance to Muhammad by oaths when he conquered Mecca.

Question 33

Describe the bayah cermony.

Answer 33

The mureed kneels before the Shaykh, who places his hands on the Mureed’s head and recites the Qur’an. The Mureed is asked if he willingly offers an oath of allegiance and recites Surah Fatiah. This is called bayah which literally means sells. He is selling his freedom to the Shaykh. Fellow Sufis then greet them as a new brother/sister into their family.

Question 34

What does Irada mean?

Answer 34

Explains the master/disciple relationship - one who desires and one who is desired.

Question 35

What is the role of the Mureed?

Answer 35

Must have total trust in the master as the journey to fana takes years. Must show love and devotion to the Qutb, who will guide him through the spiritual stations. Mureed’s kiss the hands of the Qutb and will do whatever they request e..g spiritual offerings e.g. help the poor. They will learn the spirutal path, interpretations of meditations and spiritual exercises.

Question 36

What is the role of the Shaykh?

Answer 36

Must show rather than teach how Fana is achieved.

Question 37

According to Aslan, what is the first stage of Tazkiyat-al nafs?

Answer 37

Where all humans are - we all have nafs (anger, desire) and they grip our soul and pull the heart down, must start to fight these to overcome satan.

Question 38

According to Aslan, what is the second stage of Tazkiyat-al nafs?

Answer 38

The person becomes aware of the nafs, asks for forgiveness but can’t stop them. The ruh (breath of God) battles with nafs for the soul.

Question 39

According to Aslan, what is the third stage of Tazkiyat-al nafs?

Answer 39

The ruh wins the heart over the nafs. This is self purification and fana - being at one with God is achieved. No longer concerned with worldly concerns - total faith in God.