Labib Mahfuj Chisty
Every human being from birth to death is immersed in an endless quest—that quest is not of the external world, but of the soul. The spiritual path of journeying to this inner world is called Sufism. Sufism is not the name of a specific doctrine; rather, it is the name of a mystical trend of self-purification, love, selflessness and pure love for Allah. It is an internal revolution that gradually transforms man—from a biological man to a ‘Insan-e-Kamil’ or superhuman journey.
Sufism is not confined to the boundaries of Islam alone. It also has deep similarities with Hindu devotion, Christian mysticism, Buddhist meditation and external religious concepts. Sufism stands on these three pillars: truth, love and unity. It speaks the language of the heart across religious divides. From Rumi’s poetry to Lalan’s songs, from Ibn Arabi’s philosophy to Hallaj’s sacrifice—all of it reflects the glorious journey of the same soul—Sufism.
Sufism—A Mystical Path of Love
Sufism is not a new religion, it is the pure desire of the heart—the silent stream of surrender to the love of Allah. The Sufis say, “Love is my Kaaba, love is my Qibla.” This path begins with self-identification and ends with the dissolution of the soul or annihilation, where the existence of the individual dissolves in the being of the Supreme Lord.
The Emergence of Sufism in History
Sufism has its roots in the Quran and the life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). His divinely enlightened behavior was true Sufism. Later, Sufism was developed and propagated as a final path by saints like Hazrat Khwaja Hasan Basri, Hazrat Khwaja Bayezid Bostami, Hazrat Khwaja Junaid Baghdadi.
Sufism’s tendency in all religions
Wherever truth and love are located, there is the Sufi heart. In Hinduism, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, in Christianity, Saint Francis of Assisi, in Buddhism, Padmasambhava or Milarepa—their pursuit, realization and expression were completely Sufi-friendly. Liberation from the ‘slavery of the mind’ is the one and only goal of all religions.
The glorious journey—from human to superhuman
The main trend of Sufism is “Safar Illallah”. This path has to be followed through self-restraint, Tazkiya, Riyazat, Dhikr, Muraqaba. At the beginning of this journey, Salek first has to recognize his own being, then he merges himself in the existence of Allah. The Sufis say, “I do not seek Paradise, but the Giver of Paradise.”
The great Sufis of the world and their sayings
Rumi: The love you are looking for is also looking for you.
Ibn Arabi: My heart is the sky of religion, the desert of the Torah, the Gospel, the Quran.
Hallaj: Anal Haqq – that is, I am the truth – he was hanged for uttering this.
Shams Tabriz: Learn to see the truth in untruth, only then will the truth be perceived as truth.
The four main pillars of the Sufi path
- Shariat – external discipline
- Tariqat – spiritual practice
- Haqiqat – manifestation of the inner world
- Ma’rifat – highest transcendental realization
The gradual ascension of these four levels makes a person ‘Insan-e-Kamil’ (superhuman).
Chishtia Order and Sufism in South Asia
The Chishtia Order was established in India by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The characteristics of this order are generosity, music and service. In the Bengal region, saints like Hazrat Shah Jalal, Shah Makhdum Ruposh, Shah Paran, Shah Ali, Khan Jahan Ali and other saints spread this light.
Sufi Baul—The Heart-Relieving Mystical Flow of Bengal
The songs of Sufi Bauls like Lalon Fakir, Bijoy Sarkar, Hasan Raja, Baul Abdul Karim, Bhaba Pagla, Rajab Ali Dewan etc. prove that there is no need for any special clothes, church or mosque for the love of Allah. In the words of Lalon Shah Fakir: If you listen to people, you will become a golden man.
The Secret of Sufism
The Sufis say that if you do not kill the self, the light does not manifest. “Sirr” is the subtle layer of the heart that can understand the secret signs of Allah. “Nur” is the reflection of Allah’s existence, which burns in the heart of the beloved servant. “Ahad” means unity—where the multiplicity dissolves into a single, unbroken existence.
Love, Separation, and Soul-Dialogue
For Sufis, love is the path, separation is the fuel to travel that path. They cry when they cannot see their beloved, but that cry accelerates their closeness to Allah. For example, Rabia Basri’s prayer: “O Allah, if I call upon You out of fear of Hell, then send me to Hell. And if I call upon You out of love, then be my reward.”
Sufism vs. Formal Religious Ritual
Sufism internalizes formality. Sufis do pray in mosques, but they believe that in order to seek Allah, one must first make one’s heart a holy mosque.
Development of the soul and human greatness
Sufism teaches—know yourself, because “he who knows himself, knows his Lord” (Al-Hadith). Man becomes a superman only when he loves by sacrificing his ego. Love is the best worship, and the heart is the highest mosque.
Conclusion
Sufism is not just religious thought, it is a spiritual journey. It teaches us—you yourself are a universe, and the center of that universe is your heart. The journey of the soul is a strong cry to return to the original lover.