As some postmodernist critics of history writing have claimed, co5 gently, history is always history for someone, and that someone cannot be the past itself, for the past does not have a self. May 01, 2012 an introduction to the history, practices, and beliefs of sufi islam. William chittick, stony brook university alexander knysh provides an unprecedented account of the history. In the first place, therefore, i propose to offer a few remarks on the origin and historical development of sufism, its relation to islam, and its general character. They believe that there were two dimensions to the revelations received. Some sources state that sufism is the inner dimensions of the teachings of muhammad whereas others say that sufism emerged during the islamic golden age from about the 8th to 10th centuries. The word sufi is derived from the arabic word suf which means wool and which refers to the coarse woolen robes that were worn by the prophet muhammad pbuh and by his close companions. An introduction to the history, practices, and beliefs of sufi islam. In wisdom is rooted religion, which connotes law and inspiration. History of mysticism the unchanging testament by swami abhayananda is an authoritative history book on mysticial experiences. The phenomenon of western sufi teachers is unique, not just because of the individuals themselves, though they are certainly fascinating, but because of what they represent.
This deeper identity, or essential self, has abilities of awareness, action, creativity and love that are far beyond. Sufism, mystical islamic belief and practice in which muslims seek the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of god. The word sufi comes from a persian word meaning wisdom. This is why the interior reality of sufism tasawwuf characterizes the practices of the ascetics of the first generations even though. A sufi is a muslim who seeks annihilation of the ego in. An introduction to the history of sufism internet archive. We have already posted about the major kingdoms and tribals societies in medieval india. This happened in spite of the famous amman message, a joint declaration made by over 200 of the most noted moderate islamic scholars in a conference in amman, jordan, in 2005. Pdf an analytical study of rise and development of sufism. In almesbars 1st monthly book, we share further knowledge of sufism, popular islam, and traditional and parallel religiosity by means of research into diverse muslim communities, their heritage, and their history. Download masnavi rumi, saadi, hafiz, khayam, attar in pdf format.
Sufism download books, sacred, spiritual texts and pdf e. The earliest form of sufism arose under the umayyad dynasty 661749. From the original root many derivations can be traced. Love is its manifestation, poetry, music and dance are the instruments of its worship and attaining oneness with god is its ideal.
Sufism is popular in such african countries as egypt, tunisia, algeria, morocco, and senegal, where it is seen as a mystical expression of islam. I would be very grateful for any corrections or additional information that anyone may have on any as. This is why the interior reality of sufism tasawwuf characterizes the practices of the ascetics of the first generations even though the term sufism was not used yet during that period. Beyond the history, sufism tasawwuf embodies the deeper spirituality of islam.
A history of sufism in india by rizvi, saiyid athar abbas. They made a direct contact with the hundreds served and loved them, lived with them in the. Brahminism vs buddhismjainism vs devotional paths bhakitsm, sufism, and sikhism brahminism based on castesystem was prominent during the medieval period. Sufism has been a prominent movement within islam throughout most of its history. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. However it was only after the arrival of the prophet that the practice came to be known by the name of sufism. An introduction to the mystical tradition of islam. These secret instructions are acted upon by a disciple with perfect faith in the teacher. The philosophy and practices of sufism may very aptly be stated in the words of dr.
Sufism, the major mystical tradition in islam, emerged from within renunciatory modes of piety zuhd during a period that extended from the last decades of the secondeighth to the beginning of the fourthtenth century. Islamic mysticism had several stages of growth, including 1 the appearance of early asceticism, 2 the development of a classical mysticism of divine love, and 3 the rise and proliferation of fraternal orders of mystics. The following is a list of the various arabic and other words. The earliest mystical approaches appeared in the first half of this period, but these were likely disparate and heterogeneous in nature and, more significantly, they remain. There are thousands of books written on this genre. Understanding the concept of islamic sufism journal of education. Pdf sufism tasawwuf is the name given to mysticism in islam.
In recent times the most notorious example was the outright banning of sufism in iran. The european historian sometimes traces the history of sufism by noticing the actual occurrence of this word and by referring only to those schools which have definitely wished to be known by this name. On the origin of the word of sufi, and its adoption, there are many different. A brief history of sufism rifai sufi order web site. The forty rules of love by elif shafak, the conference of the birds by attar of nishapur, the essential rumi by rumi, the sufis.
What, then, is the history of sufism, and where did it originate. Sufism is traditional in morocco, but has seen a growing revival with the renewal of sufism under contemporary spiritual teachers such as hamza al qadiri al boutchichi. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. In the year 801, the concept of an undying love for allah was coined by a woman named rabiah aladawiyah. After centuries as the most important asceticmystical strand of islam, sufism saw a sharp decline in the twentieth century, only to experience a stunning revival in recent decades. Tara chand, sufism is a religion of intense devotion. A history of sufism and its soul stirring sufi music unbumf. In discussing the intricate and somewhat complex relationship between shi. Download the bible, the holy quran, the mahabharata, and thousands of free pdf ebooks on buddhism, meditation, etc.
Sufism simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Rather, it was inseparably and essentially present in the spirituality of islam. Some european scholars find the origin of this philosophy in the teaching of islam, others connect it with buddhism. In this post lets see in detail the devotional paths followed by people during the medieval period bhakitsm, sufism, and sikhism. On the origin of the word of sufi, and its adoption, there are many different opinions among the learned. May 10, 2011 12 a very fine introduction to the history, essential devotional forms, and poetry of the various cultures of mystical islam, this book should lead to further study of sufi philosophy and metaphysics, the particular exercises or specific practices and approaches in dhikr, and the various states toward religious union and other deep experiences. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Here it can be deduced that the idea of islam spreading in a peaceful manner through sufism is problematised to an extent, and it is held that sufism almost always followed, or came hand in hand with the use of sword and enforced authority. William chittick, stony brook university alexander knysh provides an unprecedented account of the history of sufi movements and the scholarship on sufism. Dec 08, 2007 sufism has been a prominent movement within islam throughout most of its history. Offers the first history of sufism as a global phenomenon, exploring its movement and adaptation from the middle east, through asia and africa, to europe and the united states of america. It must be noted that even if sufism does indeed offer a positive mes sage, this.
Offering the first truly global account of the history of sufism, this illuminating book traces the gradual spread and influence of sufi islam through the middle east, asia, africa, and ultimately into europe and the united states. This is the best study to date of how sufism has been conceptualized and interpreted by a wide variety of insiders and outsiders down into modern times. This happened in spite of the famous amman message, a joint declaration made by over 200 of the most noted moderate islamic scholars in a conference in amman, jordan, in 2005, stressing that sufism is very much part of islam. This historical sensibility even shaped a large proportion of sufi mystical experiences by way of the countless visionary encounters sufis recorded with past saints. There are many opinions regarding the origin of this word.
Sufis trace the origin of sufism or tasawwuf to the prophet of islam. Moving beyond the description of doctrine, this book places sufism in its social, cultural and historical contexts. Although sufism has always been associated the spiritual dimension of islam, the term sufism does not seem to have been used until many years after islam was founded. A short introduction to origin, beginning and history of sufism or tasawwuf 76 observed incessant prayer and fasting as did the prophet muhammad s. It become their humanistic role, and piety which won over the hearts of lacs of humans.
Sufism in india a bloodied history indiafactsindiafacts. Sufism, or tasawwuf in arabic, is practiced by many muslims around the world, both shia and sunni, as a personal, mystical, or. However islamic scholars predating the islamic golden age were referred to as sufis, like hasan of basra. An ideal introduction to sufism, requiring no background knowledge of islamic history or thought. At times labeled heretical or simply extremist, each age has had its own sufis and anti. The history of meditation a 5,000 years timeline live. In tracing the history of sufism, the earliest instances of sufism can be found even before the time of the prophet muhammad. Despite these general stages, however, the history of islamic mysticism is largely a history of individual mystic experience. This deeper identity, beyond the already known personality, is in harmony with all that exists. A pathbreaking history of sufism, from the earliest centuries of islam to the present. Sufism is the term that is used for a mystic movement that happened during the golden age of islam i. The history and methodology of sufism sufism is an esoteric doctrine transmitted by word of mouth, and sometimes without even a spoken or written word, by an authorized teacher to a disciple, and from disciple to another disciple, in confidence. The text and pdb versions are bundled together in one rar file.
Other books and articles by swami abhayananda may be read and freely downloaded on his read more and download pdf. Origin, beginning and history of sufism or tasawwuf the sufis trace the origin of sufism to the prophet muhammad s. History of sufism follows a long period of evolution since the time of the prophet. Historical development sufism the school of sufi teaching. Muhammad saws and his companions ashab, the term sufism tasawwuf did not exist as a distinct discipline. There are signs of god everywhere in the universe and in man himself. It grew out of an early ascetic movement within islam, which sought to counteract the worldliness that came with the rapid expansion of the muslim community.
It consists of mystical paths that are designed to learn the nature of humanity and of god and to facilitate the experience of the presence of divine love and wisdom. Pdf the origin and evolution of sufism researchgate. The term is taken from the root word in arabic suf which means wool. Sufism has been opposed since its inception, in spite of its enduring appeal and broad base of adherents. Sufism is a way of life in which a deeper identity is discovered and lived.