Sufism - What is it?In science still does not create a clear and common understanding of this complex and multifaceted direction of Muslim religious thought.
For many centuries of its existence, it has to cover not only the entire Muslim world, but managed to get to Europe.Echoes of Sufism can be found in Spain, the Balkans, and in Sicily.
What is Sufism Sufism
- a special mystical and ascetic trend in Islam.His followers thought it possible to direct the spiritual communion of man with the divine is achieved by long special practices.Knowledge of the essence of the deity - the only purpose to which the Sufis have sought throughout their lives.This mystical "path" expresses moral purification and cultivation rights.
«Path" consisted of Sufi's ongoing commitment to God, called maqamat.With enough diligence maqamat could be accompanied by instant insights, which were similar to short-term ecstasy.But it is worth noting that such ecstatic states were not an end in itself for the Sufis, to strive, and serve only as a means for deeper knowledge of the essence of divinity.
Diversity of Sufism Sufism
originally was one of the areas of Islamic asceticism, and only in the VIII-X centuries the doctrine fully formed as an independent for.Then the Sufis were their own religious schools.But even under this condition, Sufism has not become clear and coherent belief system.
The fact that at all times of its existence Sufism eagerly absorbs many of the ideas of ancient mythology, Zoroastrianism, Gnosticism, Christian theosophy and mysticism, then easily connecting them with local beliefs and cultic traditions.
Sufism - What is it?This concept is the following definition: a generic name, combines multiple movements, schools and branches with different ideas "mystical way" which have only the final goal - direct communication with God.
way to achieve this goal were very diverse - exercise, special psycho auditory training.They are all lined up in a certain Sufi practices, distributed through fraternities.Understanding these same practices gave rise to numerous varieties of a new wave of mysticism.
Home Sufism
Initially the Sufis called Muslim ascetics who wore wool usual cloak "suf."Hence came the term "tasawwuf".This word appeared only after 200 years from the time of the Prophet Muhammad means "mysticism."This suggests that Sufism appeared much later than many of Islam, and later he became a kind of successor to some of them.
themselves Sufis believed that Mohammed his ascetic way of life have followers of the only true path to spiritual development.Before him many prophets in Islam be content with little, earning great respect from the people.
significant role in the development of Muslim asceticism played "Ahl al-Suffa" - the so-called "people of the bench."It is a small group of poor people who gathered in the Medina mosque and spent time in prayer and fasting.Prophet Muhammad himself treated them very respectfully, and even sent some to preach Islam among small Arab tribes lost in the desert.It is essential to improve their welfare in such trips, the former ascetics easily become accustomed to the new, more well-fed lifestyles, allowing them to easily give up its ascetic beliefs.
But the tradition of asceticism in Islam is not dead, it has found followers among the itinerant preachers, collectors of Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), and among the former Christians who converted to Islam.
first communities of Sufis have appeared in Syria and Iraq in the VIII century and quickly spread throughout the Arab East.Initially the Sufis were fighting only for what to focus more on the spiritual aspects of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.Over time, they absorbed the teachings of many other superstitions and routine are such hobbies as music, dancing, and sometimes the use of cannabis.
rivalry with Islam
relationship with the orthodox Sufi Islamic movements have always been very difficult.And it is not only in the fundamental differences between the teachings, even though they were essential.Sufis focuses on very personal experiences and revelations of every believer, in contrast to the orthodox, which was the main letter of the law, and the man had only strictly obey him.
In the first century of becoming the Sufi teachings of Islam officials have struggled with him for control of the hearts of believers.However, with the growth of its popularity Sunni orthodox we were forced to put up with this situation.It often happened that in the distant pagan tribes of Islam could enter only through Sufi preachers, because their teaching was closer and understandable to ordinary people.
No matter how rational Islam, Sufism made it hard postulates more spiritual.It makes people think about their own soul preached goodness, justice and fraternity.Also Sufism was very plastic, and therefore absorbed like a sponge all local beliefs, bringing them back to the people more enriched from a spiritual point of view.
to the XI century ideas of Sufism spread throughout the Muslim world.It was at this point of the intellectual currents of Sufism developed into a truly national.The Sufi doctrine of the "perfect man", where excellence is achieved by penance and abstinence, was close and understandable to the people in distress.It gave people hope for heavenly life in the future and has said that divine grace will not pass them by.
Ironically, born in the depths of Islam, Sufism is not so much learned from this religion, but gladly accepted many of theosophical construction of Gnosticism and Christian mysticism.A major role in the development of doctrine played and Eastern philosophy, briefly tell about all the diversity of ideas which is practically impossible.But the Sufis have always considered themselves his teaching inner hidden doctrine secret underlying the Koran and other messages that left many prophets in Islam prior to the arrival of Mohammed.
philosophy of Sufism
With the growing number of followers in Sufism gradually began to develop the intellectual side of learning.Deep religious and mystical and philosophical constructs could not be understood by ordinary people, but met the needs of educated Muslims, among whom there were many of those interested in Sufism.The philosophy at all times was considered the lot of favorites, but without deep study of their doctrines can not exist within a religious one.
most common for Sufism is associated with the name "Grand Sheikh" -mistika Ibn Arabi.He wrote two famous works, "The Meccan revelations", which is considered an encyclopaedia of Sufi thoughts and "Gems of Wisdom."
God in the Arabi has two entities: one - imperceptible and unknowable (Batin), and the other - the explicit form (Zahir), expressed in the diversity of living creatures on the earth, who are made in the divine image and likeness.In other words, all the inhabitants of the world - a mirror reflecting the image of the Absolute, the true nature of which still remains hidden and unknowable.
Another common teaching of intellectual Sufism was Wahdat al-shuhud - the doctrine of the unity of the evidence.It was developed in the XIV century Persian mystic Ala al-Dawla al-Simnani.This teaching says that the aim of mysticism is not an attempt to connect to a deity, as it is quite impossible, but only one true way to find exactly how to worship him.This is the true knowledge comes only if people will follow all the requirements of the Sacred Law, which people got through the revelations of the Prophet Muhammad.
Thus, Sufism, philosophy which differs pronounced mysticism, yet could not find the way to reconciliation with orthodox Islam.It is possible that the teaching as-Simnani and his numerous followers Sufism allowed to continue their peaceful existence entirely within the Muslim world.
Sufi literature is difficult to assess the diversity of ideas that brought the Muslim world, Sufism.Books Sufi scholars rightly entered the treasury of world literature.
During the development and formation of Sufism as a teaching appeared and Sufi literature.It is very different from the one that already existed in other Islamic movements.The main idea of many works was an attempt to prove the relationship of Sufism with orthodox Islam.Their goal was to show that the idea of the Sufis are consistent with the laws of the Koran, and practice in any case do not contradict the Muslim way of life.
Sufi scholars have tried in their own way to interpret the Koran, with a focus on ayat - places that have traditionally been considered inconceivable to the mind of the common man.This caused strong indignation among the orthodox commentators, who were strongly against any speculative assumptions and allegories when commenting on the Koran.
very willingly, according to Islamic scholars, Sufis applies to the hadith (traditions about the deeds and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad).They are not very worried about the accuracy of a certificate, they have focused on only their spiritual component.
Sufism never denied Islamic law (fiqh), and regarded it as an immutable aspect of religion.However, the Sufis law becomes more spiritual and sublime.He justified from a moral point of view, but because Islam does not completely turn into a rigid system, requires its followers a precise execution of all religious orders.
Practical Sufism
But apart from highbrow Sufism lies in the complex philosophical and theological constructs, develops and exercises a different direction - the so-called pragmatic Sufism.What is it, you can guess, if you remember how popular these days various Eastern exercises and meditation to improve one or another aspect of human life.
The pragmatic Sufism there are two main schools.They offered their own elaborate practice, the implementation of which should provide a person to direct intuitive communication with the deity.
first school founded by the Persian mystic, Abu al-Iazidom Bistami who lived in the IX century.The main tenet of his teaching was to achieve an ecstatic rapture (Galaba) and "intoxicated with love of God" (RBM).He claimed that by a long reflection on the unity of the Godhead can gradually reach the point where his own "I" person disappears completely dissolves in the Godhead.At this moment there is a change of roles, when a person becomes a god, and god - personality.
founder of the second school also became a mystic of Persia, his name was Abu al-Qasim Junaid al-Baghdadi.He acknowledged the possibility of ecstatic merging with deity, but urged his followers to go further from "intoxication" to "sobriety."In this case, the deity has transformed the very essence of man, and he came into the world not only renewed, but also empowerment of the Messiah (tank).This is a new creature could fully control their ecstatic states, visions, thoughts and feelings, and therefore more effectively serve the people, educating them.
Practice Sufism
Sufi practices have been so varied that subject them to any system is not possible.However, among them there are some of the most common, which many use to this day.
most famous practice, are considered the so-called Sufi whirling.They give the opportunity to feel the center of the world and feel around a powerful cycle of energy.From the outside it looks like a quick spin with your eyes open and hands raised.This kind of meditation, which ends only when the exhausted man falls to the ground, thus completely merging with it.
addition whirling Sufis practicing a variety of methods of knowledge of the deity.It could be a long meditation, some breathing exercises, silent for a few days, dhikr (something like a meditative reading of mantras), and more.
Sufi music has always been an integral part of such practices and is considered one of the most powerful tools for approaching man to the deity.This music is popular in our time, it is rightly considered one of the finest creations of the culture of the Arab East.
Sufi brotherhood
Over time, in the bosom of the Sufi brotherhood began to emerge, whose purpose was to give the man some money and skills to communicate directly with God.This desire to achieve a certain freedom of spirit as opposed to mundane laws of orthodox Islam.And today there are many in Sufism Dervish brotherhoods, differing only way to achieve a merger with the deity.
the Brotherhood called tariqahs.Originally the term applied to any clear and practical method "path" of the Sufi, but over time began to be called so only those practices that gathered around him the greatest number of followers.
Since the advent of the fraternities within them begins to form a special institution relations.Everyone who wants to follow the path of the Sufi had to choose a spiritual mentor - or Sheikh Murshid.It is believed that it is impossible to pass tarikat yourself as a person without a guide at risk of losing health, mind, and perhaps life itself.On the way the student must obey his master in every detail.
In the heyday of the teachings in the Muslim world there were 12 largest tarikats later they gave life even very many side branches.
With the development of the popularity of such associations of bureaucracy has deepened.The system of relations "student-teacher" gave way to the new - "novice-holy", and mureed already submitted not so much the will of his master, as the rules established within the fraternity.
most important among the rules were complete and unconditional submission of tariqa chapter - media "grace."It was also important to comply strictly with the charter of brotherhood and strictly follow all prescribed in this charter mental and physical practice.As in many other secret orders in tarikats we developed mysterious initiation rites.
There are groups that managed to survive to the present day.The largest of them are Shaziri, Kadiri, Nahshabandi and Tijani.
Sufism today
Today Sufis called all those who believe in the possibility of direct communication with God and is ready to make any effort to achieve a mental state in which it will become real.
Currently, the followers of Sufism, are not only the poor but also the middle class.Belonging to this doctrine does not prevent them from fulfilling their social functions.Many contemporary Sufis lead a normal life of urban residents - go to work and plant family.A membership to a particular tarekat nowadays often inherited.
So Sufism - What is it?This doctrine, which today continues to exist in the Islamic world.And the most amazing thing is that not only there.Sufi music has pleased even the Europeans, and many practices developed under the doctrine, and is now widely used by various esoteric schools.
