Tasawwuf
There is no doubt that Tasawwuf is an important department of Islam, irrespective of whether the word itself is derived from the Arabic word suf (meaning wool), or its origin is traced to Safa.(Arabic word meaning cleanliness or purification)
It has its foundation in sincerity, both in conduct and intention, and its ultimate aim is belonging with ALLAH and attainment of His pleasure. The study of the Quran and the Ahadith and the everyday life of the Holy Prophet saw and his faithful Companions, provide support to this reality.
During the time of the Prophet saw and his companions the terminology for various departments of the Din (Islam) like Tafsir, Canon, Fiqh, Philosophy, etc. had not come into use despite their existence in principle and in spirit. These were compiled under the present titles at a later stage. Likewise, this was a part of the Prophet’s saw mission and the lives of the Companions provided a model. Yet its compilation as an independent department of knowledge was undertaken afterwards.
Against the exalted application of Companion, other terms like scholars, commentators, traditionalists, jurists, and Sufis, being of little consequence were not applied to the Companions. The lives of those who subsequently showed singular devotion to this department , and became its torch-bearers, specialists and zealous followers, provided the pristine examples of piety, asceticism, sincerity and simplicity. By their habit of taking simple food and wearing coarse garments of wool (suf), they were known as Sufis and the branch of the Faith pertaining to their way of life came to be knows as Tasawwuf.
In the Quran it has been referred to as Taqwa, Tazkiyah (Purification), Khashiyat ALLAH the essence of the faith. Full details may be seen in Hadith-e Jibril.
In short, Tasawwuf, Ehasan and Sincerity are different names of the same reality.
These are two distinct facets of Prophethood, both equally important, as enunciated in the Quran.
Truly ALLAH has shown Grace to the believers by sending to them a Messenger of their own, who recites to them His revelations and causes them to grow in purification and teaches them the Scripture and wisdom.
(3:164)
The first, external, or the outward, aspect pertains to the recitation of the Scripture, its teaching and exposition;
The second, internal, pertains to inward purification.
It must be remembered that all these attainments emanate from the same fountainhead, the Book and the Sunnah, which constitute the only connection between ALLAH and his faithful believers and in it alone lies the ultimate salvation. Right from death, to the resurrection, the basis of all reckoning will be the Book and the Sunnah. That is why all learned Sufis are unanimous in asserting that a Shaikh or a guide must have a thorough understanding of both. If someone is seen flying about, but his practical life runs counter to the Book and the Sunnah, cannot be termed a wali; instead, he is an impostor or charlatan, because perfect obedience to the Prophet saw is in impostor or charlatan, because perfect obedience to the Prophet saw is indispensable to any claim of Divine love as enjoined by him:
Say (O Muhammad to mankind): if you love ALLAH follow me, ALLAH will love you. (3:31)
Only those of Allah’s bondsmen proved true followers of Sunnah who kept in view the importance of both aspects of prophethood, Outward as well as Inward, and in their preaching and dissemination of the Message, down the ages, never lost sight of purification of the soul. Every excellence, and all exalted hierarchical officers are attained solely through total adherence to the Prophet saw. This is certainly the foundation stone of Tasawwuf.
What is not Tasawwuf?
- Kashf and karamah are not a criteria for Tasawwuf.
- It is neither an avenue for prosperity in commerce, nor hocus-pocus, nor talisman trading, nor a means of winning cases in the courts of law.
- Tasawwuf has also nothing to do with prostration on tombs, the provision of maqntles or kindling of lamps thereon; nor is the prediction of the future is Tasawwuf.
- To call the Aulia in absentia, (with the belief that they hear such a call) or believe that they have the power to deliver mankind of their sufferings is not Tasawwuf.
- It is not a warrant that a single Tawajjuh of a Mentor will edify and enlighten a disciple and saddle him to the straight path without endeavor and due regard to the Prophet’s saw Sunnah. Neither veracity of kashf and ilham in the process is guaranteed, nor ecstasy, trance, dance, or music are Tasawwuf.
All these are against Tasawwuf, in fact opposite to Tasawwuf.
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