Tasawwuf, or Sufism as it is commonly referred to, is the essence of Islam as taught by Prophet Muhammad. Throughout Islamic history, Sufism has been taught as an important Islamic discipline. Sufism is not a flashy word or just theoretical knowledge, it is excellence of character. The Sufi path is one of transformation through constant inner struggle to elevate not just the individual soul, but to raise the moral fabric of societies.
The ultimate level of submission for a Sufi is following the Prophet’s traditions. He had famously said, “Die before you die”, meaning that your heart is no longer attached to the material world, but is forever directed at seeking God’s pleasure. Sufi masters say the best and quickest way to achieve this is by khidmat-e-khalq, striving to serve humanity in every possible way.
Historically, Sufis have spent their lives trying to better the lives of the communities around them. They have built bridges between people of different faiths, ethnicities and nationalities. Through the centuries, Sufi hospices have welcomed people belonging to any religion. It was this spirit of egalitarianism that endeared the common people, enabling them to act as catalysts for building social ties and creating harmony amongst otherwise polarised societies. Sufis worked towards bringing together the diverse elements of society under the commonality of the human experience.
The Quran tells us, “We made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other”. In this verse, God is telling us that diversity is His idea. So one must not try to eliminate differences in cultures. We keep hearing of some radical religious groups attempting to homogenise communities. That is not only dangerous but completely against the divine idea of creation.
Of his experiences with Muslims, Christians, Jews and people of other faiths, Ibn al Farid, the great Arab Sufi poet of the 13th century wrote, “I see in all of them divisions of one fountain, and it is the attainment of the eye of sincerity to see them all as equals”.
Maulana Rumi wrote, “I do not know whether I am a Christian, Muslim, Jew or a Zoroastrian. I do not know if I belong to the East or the West. I do not know if I am Indian, Chinese, Bulgarian, Iraqi or Afghani. I do not know if I have an appearance or not; whether I have an existence or not. I do not know if I am a body or soul. But I do know my soul is the soul of souls. When I put my name with the Lord’s, I saw the Universe as One. I see One, I sing One, I read One and I know One”.
Sadia Dehlvi is a Delhi-based writer and author of Sufism: The Heart of Islam. She can be contacted at sadiafeedback@gmail.com
