Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Sufism or Tasawwuf is the true truth of Islamic spirituality or the religion of Islam. The truth that opens the door to eternal liberation for people. Sufism is a philosophy that shows the path of real liberation not only to the followers of Islam, but to all people. The way to break out of the depths of slavery.
Sufism is a spiritual philosophy. Those who practice Sufi philosophy in life, in meditation, in thought, in contemplation, in general life, are called Sufis. Sufi philosophy is a consciousness that elevates human values, awakens the glory of excellence in the heart, and teaches people to be real people.
The main topic of Sufism, i.e. Sufi philosophy, is the discussion of the soul. Sufi philosophy is the path or knowledge of the path to reach the Almighty God through spiritual purity.
Origin of Sufism
Sufism is basically a religious philosophy that indicates the path of spiritual liberation of man. Sufism is as old and eternal as religion. Sufism or the philosophy of human liberation took a well-organized and integrated form from the time of the last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). The religion of Islam, preached and established by Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is the complete Sufi philosophy, i.e., Tasawwuf or the path of spiritual purification. Which was also called Tazkiya-e-Nafs in Islamic terminology.
But the foolish nomadic Arab society of that time abandoned this great path of self-realization and self-construction preached by Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and rebuilt the religion of Islam through their ignorance. As a result, the religion of self-identity was reduced to mere morality. Then, a handful of companions or followers of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) absorbed the teachings of Tazkiya-e-Nafs introduced by the Prophet in their hearts and souls. It is through them that the infallible religious code is still being propagated in the world. The religion or philosophy that teaches people to be free from the chains of self-identity. That religion or philosophy is Sufism.
The manifestation of Sufism
Sufism was propagated by a handful of companions who followed the Prophet (PBUH) with all their hearts and souls and loved him more than their own lives. Foremost among them was the closest person to the Prophet (PBUH), Maula Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH). Basically, all Sufi orders originated from him. Those who have portrayed Sufism or the religion of Islam in their philosophy of life.
Sufi Definition and Word Analysis
Sufism is not a specific sect, it is a philosophy. All the holy or pure human beings in the world are called Sufis and Sufism is the path and method of purifying the heart. The word Sufi is derived from the Arabic word Safa which means purity. To become sinless. It is also called Tazkiya or self-purification.
Sufi Path Method
Sufism indicates the path to knowing the Supreme Being through knowing oneself. The main trend of Sufism is to surrender oneself to a holy wise man or a pure man and engage in an effort to purify oneself on the path shown by him. Those who are not pure in their hearts are not Sufis in any way. This method of surrender is called Bayat or Mobayat. By accepting Bayat, that is, by sacrificing oneself at the feet of a pure man, the imprint of purity will gradually emerge in oneself.
Sufi orders
Since ancient times, various paths and methods have been used in the world to practice purity. Among them, the only true and best method is to become wise by dedicating oneself to the wise. This is the basic foundation of Sufism. Although the Islamic philosophy or the philosophy of self-liberation has been severely persecuted and persecuted by the consumerists from time to time since the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the teachings of the true religion of Muhammad have remained in some Sufi orders.
Those who are continuously teaching the basic ideals of the religion of Muhammad to people in an institutional way. They are the Pir Mashaykhs. The sequences introduced by them are called Tariqat or Tariqa. Maula Abi Talib (peace be upon him) received the basic religious consciousness and the real significance or education of religion from the Prophet (peace be upon him). That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) called him the gate of the city of knowledge. All the Sufi orders spread in the world originated from the six main disciples of Maula Ali (a). The two world-wide orders, Chishti and Qadriyah, were spread from the foremost of them, Maula Hasan Basri Al Ansari (ra).
Sufi Philosophy
Sufism is an innate human religion. It teaches people to be human. People are naturally bound by the qualities of animality. Due to their natural imperfection, they are always involved in the evil of delusion. They destroy their beauty and become immortal. Sufism teaches people how to avoid the bad qualities that have settled in their personality and practice purity. Sufism teaches people how to break the walls of nafsaniyat, that is, animality, and become immortal people of humanity. Sufism teaches people how to surrender to a holy person and retain the holy qualities of that holy person in their hearts and remain in the enlightened world. The path to the enlightened world is Sufism or Sufi philosophy.
Education
Sufism is a non-sectarian, liberal and noble way of life. Where the main topic of discussion is to transform oneself into a great person. By associating the human being with the glorious Supreme Being and becoming divine by being endowed with His qualities. The divine person is always free and always peaceful. The method of becoming divine is to become like the divine persons or to become divine by imitating and following their example. Which is called Bayat or Surrender. It is through Bayat that a person begins his journey on the path of purification.
Finally
The only effective philosophy of real liberation in the world is Sufi philosophy. Which is not bound by any mere ritual or any religious nation. It is universal. Any holy person in the world is a Sufi. The path shown by him is Sufism. Which will elevate people to true humanity.
Date of writing -12/08/2021
Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty