Sufi Questions PDF

questions: 1\. Who, "at the end of the twentieth century," was "the best-selling poet in America"? (161). 2.From what Arabic term does "the name Sufism come"? (162). 3.What is the "root meaning of Sufi"? Briefly explain (162). 4."Sufism \_\_\_ across \_\_\_ within \_\_\_" (162). 5.In which two...

questions: 1\. Who, "at the end of the twentieth century," was "the best-selling poet in America"? (161). 2.From what Arabic term does "the name Sufism come"? (162). 3.What is the "root meaning of Sufi"? Briefly explain (162). 4."Sufism \_\_\_ across \_\_\_ within \_\_\_" (162). 5.In which two main sources are Sufi practice and teaching "deeply rooted"? (163). 6.Like Muhammad, what is it to which "Sufis\...aspire"? (163). 7."Sufis, however, are those Muslims who \_\_\_ for that \_\_\_ in this \_\_\_" (163). 8.What does the Arabic term dhikr mean? (164). 9.What "devotional practice" is frequent among Sufis? (164). 10."Islam can be seen as a \_\_\_ \_\_\_ between the \_\_\_ of \_\_\_ and \_\_\_" (164--165). 11.What were the circumstances under which "Muslim mystics rose up"? (165). 12.Briefly, and in your own words, what was the attitude toward wealth of the "famous early Muslim ascetic\...Hasan al-Basri"? (165). 13.What decision placed "another early ascetic," Ibn Adham, "outside of Islam's mainstream"?(166). 14.Who is "usually credited with introducing the metaphor of love into Sufism, thinking of God as the divine beloved"? (166). 15.With what phrase had al-Hallaj "expressed his union with God"? How did "the ruler of his time" react to his teaching? (167). 16.Briefly, and in your own words, with which of "Rumi's most famous analogies" does his Mathnawi begin? What "human longing" is evoked in that analogy? (168). 17.Who are the "Whirling Dervishes"? Hint: Watch a YouTube video (168). 18.Who received the title of "the greatest master"? (169). 19."I still have \_\_\_ \_\_\_ what that \_\_\_ \_\_\_" (169). 20.What, according to Hussain, is one understanding of the meaning of the phrase "unity of being"? (170). 21.Which "medieval Islamic theologian\...did much to reconcile Sufism and orthodox Islam"? (171). 22."Nonetheless, some \_\_\_ \_\_\_ have seen Sufism as being \_\_\_ with \_\_\_ \_\_\_" (171). 23.Briefly, and in your own words, why are some Muslims concerned about various Sufi devotions? (171--172). 24.What is "one important fact that critics often ignore" with respect to Sufism? (172). 25."I have met people who tell me that they are \_\_\_, but not \_\_\_" (173). 26.Briefly, and in your own words, why (according to stories) did Rabi'a carry around "a bucket of water and a flaming torch"? (173). 27."Because of the nature of Sufism, it is not surprising that it includes a strong \_\_\_ strain and a \_\_\_ of \_\_\_" (174). 28.Briefly, and in your own words, how has Sufism "made a number of contributions to \[the\] search for common ground" among people of different faith-traditions? (175). 29.What phrase are Sufis "fond of quoting"? (176). Answers: 1.The best-selling poet in America at the end of the twentieth century was **Rumi** (161). 2\. The name Sufism comes from the Arabic term **tasawwuf** or "the process of becoming a Sufi"(162). 3\. The root meaning of Sufi is **\"wool,\"** referencing the simple woolen garments worn by early Muslim ascetics as a sign of their rejection of worldly comforts (162). 4\. Sufism **spread across Muslim lands within a few centuries** (162). 5\. Sufi practice and teaching are deeply rooted in the **Qur\'an and the hadith** (163). 6\. Like Muhammad, Sufis aspire to **"achieve a close relationship with God"** (163). 7\. Sufis, however, are those Muslims who **"seek for that relationship in this life"** (163). 8\. The Arabic term **dhikr** means **\"remembrance,\"** referring to the practice of repeating God\'s name or attributes as a form of devotion (164). 9\. A frequent devotional practice among Sufis is **"the chanting of God's name or attributes"** (164). 10\. Islam can be seen as a **middle path between the asceticism of Christianity and Judaism** (164--165). 11\. Muslim mystics rose up in **"reaction to the materialism and political power of the Umayyad caliphs"** (165). 12\. Hasan al-Basri believed that wealth was a **\"distraction from true devotion to God,\"** emphasizing spiritual poverty as a virtue (165). 13\. Ibn Adham placed himself outside of Islam's mainstream by **"renouncing his kingdom and wealth to live as an ascetic"** (166). 14\. Rabi\'a al-Adawiyya is usually credited with introducing the metaphor of love into Sufism, **"thinking of God as the divine beloved"** (166). 15\. Al-Hallaj expressed his union with God with the phrase **"I am the Truth,"** and the ruler of his time reacted by **"ordering his execution for heresy"** (167). 16\. Rumi's Mathnawi begins with an analogy of a **"reed flute separated from the reed bed,"** evoking the human longing for reunion with the divine (168). 17\. The \"Whirling Dervishes\" are followers of **the Mevlevi Order,** known for their meditative dance, which is a form of dhikr (168). 18\. Ibn al-\'Arabi received the title of **"the greatest master"** (169). 19\. "I still have **no idea what that sentence means**" (169). 20\. One understanding of the phrase **"unity of being"** is that all things derive their existence from God, meaning that **seemingly disparate things can all be traced back to God** (170). 21\. The medieval Islamic theologian who did much to reconcile Sufism and orthodox Islam was **Abu Hamid al-Ghazali** (171). 22\. "Nonetheless, some **orthodox Muslims** have seen Sufism as being **incompatible with 'true' Islam"** (171). 23\. Some Muslims are concerned about various Sufi devotions because they involve practices like **venerating saints at shrines, which can be seen as placing intermediaries between the believer and God** (171--172). 24\. One important fact that critics often ignore is that **"it was largely through the various Sufi orders that Islam spread"** (172). 25\. "I have met people who tell me that they are **Sufi, but not Muslim**" (173). 26\. Rabi'a carried around a bucket of water and a flaming torch to symbolize **"putting out the fires of Hell and burning down the gardens of Paradise,"** meaning people should worship God for God\'s sake, not out of fear of Hell or desire for Paradise (173). 27\. Because of the nature of Sufism, it is not surprising that it includes a strong **pacifist strain and a rejection of violence** (174). 28\. Sufism has made a number of contributions to the search for common ground among people of different faith traditions by **sharing spiritual practices, such as poetry and music, that resonate across religious boundaries** (175). 29\. Sufis are fond of quoting the phrase, **"Love the water more and the pitcher less"** (176).