Introduction to Sufism (PDF)
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Effat College
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This document provides an introduction to Sufism, a mystical tradition within Islam. It explores the historical development of Sufism, highlighting key periods and figures, including its origins, early movements, and more recent developments in the modern world.
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Sufism Historical Perspective Conceptualisation Sufism = al-ta·awwuf Etymology: suggested derivation of the term is either from ·f (wool), ·af« (cleansing), or al-·uffah (name of a bench/platform that was situated in the mosque of the Prophet Mu¯ammad in Madinah. Definiti...
Sufism Historical Perspective Conceptualisation Sufism = al-ta·awwuf Etymology: suggested derivation of the term is either from ·f (wool), ·af« (cleansing), or al-·uffah (name of a bench/platform that was situated in the mosque of the Prophet Mu¯ammad in Madinah. Definition: a mystical tradition or an esoteric approach to Islam dedicated to seeking the divine truth. Origins: Islamic orthodox texts and the Prophetic behaviour, or non-Islamic mystical thoughts and (neo-Platonist) Greek Philosophy? Orientation: apparently metaphysical and “other- worldly”. A Snapshot of the Historical Survey 7th-8th (refer to week 5 seminar) Century Activist community and the spiritual dimension. 8th-10th Century Exposure to other mystical traditions. Reaction to the worldliness of the Umayyad and the Abbasid courts. Elucidation of a Sufi identity. 10th-13th Century Al-Ghazz«l» (d.1111) and attempts to demonstrate Sufi doctrines’ conformity to Shar»‘ah. 13th-16th Century An era of increased activity in many parts of the Islamic world. The impact of Ibn ‘Arab» (d.1240) and his concept of wa¯dat al-wujd (pantheism). Ibn Taymiyah (d.1328) and Salafism. Constant shifts in the Muslim piety. 16th-18th Century Running critique towards Ibn ‘Arab»’s concept of pantheism. Ibr«h»m al-Kur«n» (d.1690) A¯mad al-Sirhind»’s (d.1624) Mujaddid» branch of Naqshbandiyyah and wa¯dat al-shuhd (unity of witness) 18th -19th century Wahh«biyah movement against Sufism (1740) Sh«h Wal» All«h (d.1762), a revivalist Sufi? 19th-20th Century Assertion of Western power throughout the Muslim world. A¯mad Shah»d (d.1831), an active Indian Wahh«b»? An era of renaissance for Muslim piety? Conclusion Sufism in the modern world has met with varied reactions: rejection, acceptance, partial rejection/acceptance and disregard. New faces of Sufism: Reformists, Revivalists, Liberals etc? Is Sufism really other-worldly, looking at its origins and development?
