Sufism - the science of purification of the soul
There has always been a lot of gossip around Sufism, and especially today, when so many strange, incomprehensible and sometimes simply crazy people have appeared, appealing to Sufism, that it begins to seem as if they are the true Sufis...
Tasawwuf (Sufism) has been a part of Islam from the very beginning and has never been separated from it. The basis of tasawwuf has always been and remains scrupulous adherence to one’s religion - everything else that does not correspond to its norms has nothing to do with Islam, and therefore with Sufism.
Imam Sheikh ul-Islam Zakariya al-Ansari wrote: “Tasawwuf is a science that studies the stages of purification of the soul, ennobling its morals and improving the actions and inner essence of a person”. And Imam Ahmad Zaruk noted: “Sufism pursues the goal of educating the human heart and cleansing it of everything that turns us away from Allahﷻ.”
He also said, “Sufism has been given more than two thousand definitions but the essence of all of them comes down to one thing - selfless and sincere appeal to Allah ﷻ and service to Him.” The pillar of Sufism is the cleansing of the heart from earthly passions. And its support is the connection of man with his Great Creator.
A Sufi is one whose heart is pure for Allah ﷻ and whose actions are for His sake, one who has been granted His respect.
The origin of the word “Sufism”
This word has been given many different interpretations by different commentators. According to one version, it comes from the word “sufat” (wool), because before the Almighty, a Sufi feels like an insignificant wool.
Others believe that it comes from the word “sifat” (characteristic), because a Sufi embodies the best human qualities. Someone suggested that this word comes from the word “safa” (purity).
Still others see its origin in the word “suffa” (canopy), since the followers of Sufism follow the ahlu-suffa (people from among the needy who sat under the canopy in the Prophet’s ﷺ mosque, devoting themselves entirely to serving the Almighty and helping to spread His religion).
Almighty Allah praised them in the verse (meaning), “So be patient with those who call upon their Lord.” (Sura Al-Kahf, ayah 28). It is also said that the word “saff” (row) comes from the word: Sufis with their pure souls seem to be in the first row - because of their closeness to Allah Almighty and primacy in all godly deeds.
To be continued...
