Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Introductory Discussion –
The Eternal Path to Reaching the Creator – Sufism. We are not just a worldly object created by soil and water, we are the mature form of a luminous creation system – within which is hidden the luminous form of the Supreme Being – the Spirit. Which is the very nature of Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, i.e. the human form of existence. The form that originates from God’s own existence. The desire to see that form, to unite with that glorious existence, is inherent in humans. I would rather say that this desire has made humans the best creation in the world. The yearning to see and attain the Lord, that path and system is called Sufism. The teaching that brings humans closer to the Lord is Sufism. That which establishes humans is Sufism. That which makes humans human is Sufism.
Sufism is a journey into the inner world, where people dive deep into the soul. Being immersed in the love of the Lord, they attain eternal peace. People become superhuman. Sufism is never a doctrine opposed to religious philosophy, Sufism is rather the most exalted form of religion, the inner mystical form of religion. Sufism is the soul of Islam, the essence of all religions and the inner philosophy of Islamic mysticism. If external rules are the body of religion, Sufism is the soul of Islam. The soul that teaches people the unadulterated way to attain the Creator through love, remembrance, meditation, tazkiya and self-surrender.
What is Sufism? Definition and Meaning –
Many have given many opinions about the origin of the word Sufism. Some say that the word Sufism originated from Safa, some say, from Suf, some say from Ahl al-Suffa. However, most researchers agree that the word Sufism originated from the word `Suf’ or wool or special wool. The true believers of the past used to wear coarse woolen or fur clothes to free themselves from worldliness and to bury their pride and arrogance. Since then, they have been called Sufis.
True Sufism is to purify the soul, to abandon oneself, that is, one’s own ego and self, and to become eternally immersed in the love of Allah. Sufism is not a fictional theory, but rather a real experience where the soul gains a direct understanding of the love of the supremely loving God.
The goal of Sufism –
Where the general education of religion teaches some external rules, Sufism teaches to purify the heart and awaken the love of the Lord in the heart. It transcends the rituals and customs of the Sharia and turns the follower into a complete lover by awakening the path, truth, knowledge and ahadaniyat.
Origin of Sufism –
The path of Sufism has revolved around the arrival of humans in the world and the blossoming of consciousness. Through self-knowledge, the path of Sufism has been enriched in every country and time. Starting from the original father Adam or Manu, all the great human beings, namely the prophets, saints, sages, and noble souls, have become great in the world through self-awareness and following Sufism. All the great men of the world have enriched Sufism with their views/paths. There is no religious philosophy in the world except Sufism. All the religions propagated in the world are just one version of Sufism. The path of the great man is the Sufi path or Sufism.
History of Sufism in Islam –
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was the greatest Sufi of all time. Sufism has been established continuously through his life, work, and thoughts. After the death of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his worthy successors propagated Sufism in the world. Since the Holy Prophet (PBUH), various streams of Sufism have been propagated. Many orders and sub-orders have been established. Countless saints of Allah or Sufis have been born. Sufism has been established in the world through them and is being established.
Sufi Philosophy –
The only Sufi philosophy is love. Love of Allah. Love of God. The love that illuminates the soul, absorbs the soul into the Supreme Soul. The heart always emits a fountain of divine light. In Sufi philosophy, love is the ultimate surrender to the Supreme, one has to give up one’s own being and exist in the existence of the beloved. This path of self-surrender takes the lover to his desired station, Tawheed.
Why is Sufism necessary –
Only Sufism can spread the cool, sweet atmosphere of peace in this ever-restless mechanical life. Sufism can bring spiritual peace to people amidst thousands of noises in this life of countless crises. Sufism can remove all the impurities of the heart and establish the beautiful light of the divine light in the heart. Sufism teaches love in people. It teaches tolerance. Therefore, there is nothing more important in this world than the practice of Sufism.
Author – Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Editor – Apon Khobor
Director – Apon Foundation