Sufism, mostly referred to as a way of life, encompasses certain mysticism within it. To be a true human being, free from all bondages and honest with the Almighty is being a Sufi. Sufism is all about learning how to be a complete person, who exists in total harmony with the Universal Consciousness, who has surrendered his will completely to the will of the God and has merged his identity with that of God. Sufism is thus a matter of conduct. It concerns with one's conduct and is a matter of practice. It is difficult to explain Sufism theoretically but can only be understood.
Origin of SufismThe origin of Sufism is a much-debated topic and is rather difficult to trace. With regard to the origin of the word 'Sufi', there are different views amongst scholars. The majority of them, however, agree that the use of wool (Suf in Arabic) in clothing by them has characterized Sufis. Use of coarse wool as clothing reflected upon one's inclination towards austerity and renunciation of worldly pleasures. Another view holds that Sufism has been derived from the word 'Safh' which means cleanliness or purity as the Sufis laid great stress on the purity of mind, body and behaviour.
Regarding the rise of Sufism it might be said that the extravagant life of the rulers after the establishment of the Islamic rule, heightened the need of a more sober way of life based on values and not just craving for materialistic pleasure. It was believed that Sufism had originated among Muslims near Basra in modern Iraq, and mostly all traditional Sufi schools owe their existence to the Prophet Muhammad via his cousin and son-in-law Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib. Among this, the Naqshbandi Order is a notable exception to this rule, as it traces its origin to Caliph Abu Bakr. The spread of Sufism or to be more precise Sufism as a movement took place was during 1200-1500 CE, known as the Classical period of Sufism. Sufi movement was propagated from Baghdad's major Shia areas like Khorasa, Iraq, then Persia, Indian, African subcontinent and Muslim Spain.
Philosophy of Sufism
The essence of Sufism is the quest for absolute non-existence, a state that needs no existence besides the Almighty's Existence. The idea of an intimate communion of the self with the Eternal Reality is central to being a Sufi. Sufism is a kind of spiritual activation of the person, a process of the evolution of self in harmony with the others. Sufis believe in evolution of a man into a complete man by enlightenment through one's own experience and understanding.
For more visit the link below:
