This document discusses the origins and principles of Sufism. It states that Sufism dates back to early humanity but the term was first used in the 9th century AD to refer to Muslim mystics who sought closeness to God through asceticism and love. The document outlines that Sufis believe in following both Islamic law and additional spiritual practices to reach truth. It explains some of the basic Sufi principles like living with high morality, not being bound by rituals, and seeing love for humanity as the greatest religion.

1. SUFIS
M

2. Impact
on
India
Meaning
Sufism
Difference
between
Islam and
Sufism
Origin
Principles
&
Practices

3. MEANING
The substance of Sufism is the Truth and the meaning of
Sufism is the selfless experiencing and actualization of
the Truth.
The practice of Sufism is the intention to go towards the
Truth, by means of love and devotion. This is called
the tarigat, the spiritual path or way towards God.
The sufi is one who is a lover of Truth, who by means of
love and devotion moves towards the Truth, towards the
perfection which all are truly seeking. As necessitated by
love's jealousy, the sufi is taken away from all except the
Truth.

4. Cont…
Islamic mysticism is called taṣawwuf (literally,
“to dress in wool”) in Arabic, but it has been
called Sufism in Western languages since the
early 19th century. An abstract word, Sufism
derives from the Arabic term for a mystic, ṣūfī,
which is in turn derived from ṣūf, “wool,”
plausibly a reference to the woolen garment of
early Islamic ascetics. The Sufis are also
generally known as “the poor,” fuqarāʾ plural
,
of the Arabic faqīr, in Persian darvīsh, whence
the English words fakir and dervish.

5. Impact
on
India
Meaning
Sufism
Difference
between
Islam and
Sufism
Origin
Principles
&
Practices

6. ORIGIN
Sufism is as old as humanity. Sufi saints existed even before Prophet Muhammad,
but before the Prophet they were not called Sufis. It was only after a few centuries
that they were called Sufis. According to Qushayri (988 AD) and some other
scholars like Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, the term „Sufi‟ was first used at the end of
second century Hijri i.e. in the early ninth century AD. The term Sufi did not find a
mention either in the Sihah-i-Sittah compiled in the 9th and 10th century AD or in
the Arabic dictionary, the Qamus compiled in the early 15th century AD.
It is believed that a large number of prophets of God preceded Prophet
Muhammad. In Islamic traditions, the number of prophets is put at 124,000 and that
of messengers of God at 313. The early prophets were monotheists and they
brought the message of the one true God. The pre-Islamic monotheists are
believed to exist widely amongst Arab tribes from about the fifth century AD. They
did not believe in idol worship and openly disapproved of idolatry and desired to
restore the religion of Abraham. They were the seekers of Truth, who engaged
themselves in the search of Truth and believed in the unity of the Supreme Being.
They laid a lot of stress on one‟s own conduct; living a moral life; compassionate
and sympathetic behavior with others

7. Cont…
The very early period of Islam witnessed it as a religion of
reconciliation and concord with people being gently
persuaded rather than being coerced into it. However, the
infidelity and impious rule of the Umayyad immediately
following the first four caliphs, created such political and
social conditions that many Muslims became disgusted and
adopted to asceticism and a life of seclusion to seek peace
of soul.
Gradually the focus shifted from material wealth to the lack
of desire for possession i.e. a true detachment from all
worldly things. Most of them were, however, orthodox
Muslims in their beliefs and practices. They had yet not
distinguished spirituality from the religion and laid great
emphasis on the teachings of Qur‟an and Traditions.

8. Cont…
The Sufis in the period immediately after Prophet Muhammad
spent their lives in fasting and in observing the rules
of Sharia (the Islamic code of conduct), giving up the worldly
pleasures-wealth, fame, feasts and women-and spent their time in
solitude away from the society, seeking anonymity, hunger and
celibacy. They usually lived on scanty food and wore little
clothes. They were more concerned with the punishments and
rewards for the infidels and the believers. In the ninth century AD,
however, the Sufis recognized that spiritual progress couldn‟t be
achieved by following Sharia alone. It was necessary for guiding
their conduct, but not enough. They started adopting various
spiritual practices over and above Sharia, known as Tariqat (the
path). They considered following Shariat andTariqat essential to
reach the Haqiqat (the Truth).

9. Impact
on
India
Meaning
Sufism
Difference
between
Islam and
Sufism
Origin
Principles
&
Practices

10. Principles And Practices
The Sufis are the men of the highest morality. They are the people
who behave according to the need of the time. They are not bound
by the shackles of rituals and customs. Religion for them is
important only so long as it does not hinder spiritual progress.
The greatest religion for them is the love for the humanity and not
to hurt anyone‟s feelings. Their objective being to evolve as a
complete man by improving one‟s character and conduct the
principles and practices adopted by them revolve around these
central ideas and are to be seen in this light.
A Sufi seeker has to complete his journey to self-realisation. He
has to find his Beloved within himself, for He can be found only in
a heart that has been purified by the fire of love. The distance,
however, can be covered in a moment, the Truth can be realized in
a moment, if one wants it as desperately as a drowning man wants
the air.

11. Cont…
The basic principles of Sufism were given by Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani,
who was one of the greatest Sufi Masters of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order. Till
about the 6th Century Hijri, the Sufis practised loud dhikr (jikr, japa or
remembrance) i.e. they used to recite the name of the Almighty loudly by
tongue.
Eight Principles were embraced and hailed by all the forty tariqats (Sufi
Orders) as the way of Truth and loyalty.
(i) Hosh dar Dam (Conscious Breathing)
(ii) Nazar bar Kadam (Watch Your Step)
(iii) Safar dar Watan (Journey Homeward)
(iv) Khilawat dar Anjuman (Solitude in the Crowd)
(v) Yad Kard (Essential Remembrance)