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A Short Introduction to Origin, Beginning and History of Sufism Or Tasawwuf

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A Short Introduction to Origin, Beginning and History of Sufism Or Tasawwuf International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-2, Issue-12, Dec.-2016 A SHORT INTRODUCTION TO ORIGIN, BEGINNING AND HISTORY OF SUFISM OR TASAWWUF 1AJAY KUMAR GHOSH, 2SUMEER AHMAD MIR 1Professor of History. Govt, Hamidia Arts and Commerce College Bhopal, (Barkatullah University Bhopal)-Madhya Pradesh, India. 2Ph.D Research Scholar. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Abstract— Sufism or Tasawwuf is the name given to mysticism in Islam. The term Sufism embraces the philosophy and practices which aim at direct communion between God and man, and those who practice Sufism are called Sufis. Scholars differ as to the derivation of the term Sufi, for it is not mentioned in the Qur’an or the books of Hadith, nor does it figure in the standard Arab dictionaries that were compiled as late as the 8th century A.D. According to Qushayri (d. 465/1074), author of al Risala, the word Sufi was used as a generic term to describe individuals adopting a particular religious attitude based on austerity and spirituality, and came into usage only at the beginning of the 9th century. This he explains simply: ‘After the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) Sahabi (companion) was the only title given to the Muslims of that period. The Sufis trace the origin of Sufism or Tasawwuf to the Prophet of Islam. They believe that there were two dimensions to the revelations received by the Prophet: one took the form of the words of the Qu’ran, the other that of the divine inspiration within his heart. The former was meant for all, while the latter was to be imparted to the chosen few and conveyed directly ‘from heart to heart’. ‘Book knowledge’ or the knowledge of the words of the Qur’an and hadith was known as ilm-e-safina, while ‘the knowledge of the heart’ was known as ilm-e-sina. It is generally said that Sufism came into being toward the close of the second or beginning of the third century of Islamic era. It is a mistaken idea that leads some modern scholars to connect Sufism with Greek Philosophy, which had begun to creep into the mind of some of learned Muslims. The earliest of three greatest Islamic mystics were Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), his life-partner, Bibi Khadijah (R.A.) and Imam Ali (R.A.). There were others also from prophets’ family and his companions who were actively engaged in Sufi-practices. However, an overview of their spiritual struggle will entail a long discussion. Hence my little attempt and the aim of this paper is to trace the origin and beginning of Sufism. Keywords— Sufism, Origin, Beginning, History. I. INTRODUCTION 622), the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) migrated from Mecca to Medina plunged himself into Sufism is the esoteric and spiritual dimension of organizing his community and into fighting wars Islam representing the inward aspects of the world’s against the religious opponents. However, all sources greatest religion. The basis and beginning of Sufism unanimously relate that he himself continued to lead (Tasawwuf) is Iman (Faith) which had six important an exceedingly austere and ascetic life. He considered beliefs and principles, viz the existence and unity of his own pursuit of Faqr that is a life of poverty and God, the Angles, the Prophets, the day of resurrection resignation to God’s will, a source of personal pride. and good and evil, and lastly the God’s (3) predestination. The Islamic Sufism finds its roots Sufism or Tasawwuf is considered as esoteric part of with the life and personality of Prophet of Islam human life. Sufis considered the Holy Qur’an as the Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W.), who is the role model foundation of their hope and trust. The mystic for all those Mystics, Spiritualists, Sufis, Darwishs, exegesis of the Holy Qur’an surely enables them to Faqirs, Rishis and Pirs who had dedicated their lives achieve high ranking from the ignoble and faceable for gaining the knowledge of ‘haqiqt and tariqa’t in problems in which a class of Mullas has entangled the light of Qur’an and Sunnah to achieve the real Islam. The Qur’an exegesis presented by Sufism or goal of Islam. Tasawwuf based on (Aqliyat) human understanding Sufism is not something different or a new religion as well as on humanism also having a magnimity in from Islam. In fact the mystic spirituality also it. Its instruction is towards the World. Its tone is depends on the five basic and fundamental pillars of universal (Afaqi). Probably this is the appropriate Islam i.e., the Kalma (Shahadt), to Prayer (Salat), the exegesis of the Holy Qur’an. (4) Saum (Fasting during Ramdan), the (Zakat) the Among Muhammad’s (S.A.W.) companions at this obligatory contribution towards poor and finally the time were a number of people who dwelt in the performance of Pilgrimage (Hajj) if the person could Medina Mosque practicing, poverty and self- effort the expenses. (1) mortification. They were called Ahl al-Suffa or Ashab-I Suffa (The Prophet of the Verandah). Islam II. ORIGIN, BEGINNING AND HISTORY OF made prayers, five times a day, and fasting for the SUFISM OR TASAWWUF whole of Ramazan, the 9th Month of the Islamic The Sufis trace the origin of Sufism to the Prophet calendar, obligatory. However the Ahl al-Suffa and Muhammad (S.A.W.) of Islam. (2) In (September many other followers of Muhammad (S.A.W.) A Short Introduction to Origin, Beginning and History of Sufism or Tasawwuf 75 International Journal of Management and Applied Science, ISSN: 2394-7926 Volume-2, Issue-12, Dec.-2016 observed incessant prayer and fasting as did the Accordingly, Shaykh Aliu’l-Hujwiri writes prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) himself. (5) concerning Imam ‘Ali. However the term Tasawwuf penetrated in Islam as in His renown and rank in this path (of Sufism) were the earlier stages, Taqwa and Zuhud was frankly used very high. He explained the principle (Usul) of for the more holy peoples who had denounced the Divine truth with extraordinary subtlety, so that world. It was from the 2nd century Hijra that the word Junaid told; Ali (R.A.) is our Shaikh as regards the Sufi and Tasawwuf became famous in masses. (6) endurance of affliction i.e. in the theory and customs The Quranic chapter entitled Al-Bara’at (Immunity) of Tasawwuf or Sufism: for Sufis call the method of or Al-Tauba (Repentance) was revealed in the 9th this path “Principle” (Usul) and its practice consists Hijri or (630 A.D.) and contained a declaration of entirely in the endurance of affliction. (12) immunity from obligation for the idolatrous tribes The fourth caliph Hazrat Ali (R.A.) (656-661) was which had repeatedly violated their treaties. regarded by the Sufis as their Shaikh (teacher) in both Moreover, it drew attention to the duties of Muslims the conception and practice of Sufism. The former to avoid hoarding wealth. (7) consisted principles and the later rested entirely on The Sufis believe that Muhammad (S.A.W.) has endurance of affliction, Hazrat Ali (R.A.) was model declared that every verse of Holy Qur’an has an for Sufis ‘in respect to the truths of outside outward and inward a trust clearly in line with their expressions and the distinction of inner meanings, the quest for the Haqiqa. However, this process of Holy stripping of one’s self of all poverty of this world or Qur’anic version trust and used by the Sufis in of the next and consideration. (13) support of their claim can arguably be seen as a A party under Ali (R.A.) had previously emerged reliance on exegesis. (8) believing that their leader’s right to success The rise of Sufism was also inspired by the feeling Muhammad (S.A.W.) had been usurped by the first that a direct relationship of man to God, Who is not to three Caliphs. The death of Husain (R.A.) and the be regarded as a Unwilling and All-Powerful Ruler of persecution of his successors by the Umayyads made the destinies of humankind but as a friend and their followers even more determined in their beloved of their spirits as fully, is possible. The Sufis opposition to the Umayyad Caliphs. This group came or mystics have desired to know God, so that they to be called Shi’as or Shi’is that is followers of the may love Him and they have faith that the spirit can House of Ali (R.A.). The majority of Muslims who receive a success from Allah (God), by direct did not question the order of succession of the first religious experience not through the senses or four Caliphs became known as Sunnis. (14) intellect. (9) When Abbasids were moved eastward, a strong The decade following the death of the Muhammad Persian influence came on their society. Such (S.A.W.) on 8th June,632, saw the Arab town dwellers influence manifested itself in poetry, science, art and and Nomadic, whom he had joined into one luxury, and came to be associated with the Baghdad residential (Umma), because the masters of Syria, court. In the words of a historian, “Abu ‘Bakr and Iran, Egypt, Tripoli and parts of the African ‘Umar would hardly have recognized the Caliphate in peninsula. They were now not only exposed to the its Baghdad incarnation”. (15) evils of material prosperity, but to new ideas of the Difference between Sunnis and Shi’is sharpened ancient civilized World. These made varying impacts under the Abbasids (R.A.) (750-1258).
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