Sufism: An Introduction

Pre Script: This is just an attempt to understand importance of Sufism, any mistake is in script is mine and if you find it good enough to read that is by the grace of my God! 

The substance of Sufism is the Truth and the meaning of Sufism is the selfless experiencing and actualization of the Truth.

Sufism or tasawwuf, as it is called in Arabic, is generally understood by scholars and Sufis to be the inner, mystical, or psycho-spiritual dimension of Islam. Today, however, many Muslims and non-Muslims believe that Sufism is outside the sphere of Islam. Nevertheless, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, one of the foremost scholars of Islam, in his article The Interior Life in Islam contends that Sufism is simply the name for the esoteric dimension of Islam.

Sufi practice is quite simple. It is surrenders to God, in love, over and over; which involves embracing with love at each moment the content of one's consciousness (one's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings, as well as one's sense of self) as gifts of God or, more precisely, as manifestations of God.

Sufism is a way of life. It is how the heart gets cultured and filters the dirt out off by bringing positiveness and Love into the heart. Love towards the Ultimate Creator the God himself. Sufi Music is another attraction for the followers and even to the non followers. Sufi Music revolve around many a topics but the major emphasis would be on one thing that is Divine Love. 

Sufi poems communicate through symbolic expressions the depth of sufi spirituality. Repeating the same sacred texts during the course of the performances makes the desired impact that is to flush away the impurities from hearts, experiencing the divine art form and flourish the positiveness unto that. It can be a Hamd, Sung in praise of Allah, Naat which is in praise of Prophet Muhammad, Manqabaat - a Praise in the honour of any of the sufi saints (as in the case of Khwaja mere Khwaja which was sung in the praise of revered saint Khwaja Moinudeen Chisti) and Kafi or Ghazal revolving around generic subjects.

Example of such poetry

Yeh Jo Bigdi Meri Halat Hai,Main Ne Bigadi Hai Magar

Jaisa Tu Chata Hai Ab Mujhay Waisa Kerday

Mere Her Faislay Mein Teri Raza Shamil Ho

Jo Tera Hukam Ho Voh Mera Irada Kerday

Poets like Rumi, Hafiz, Sa'di, Bedil, Rabia, Kahlil Gibran give so many meaningful poetries and quotes which gives inspiration to each and every soul. My knowledge is quite limited, all the comments, suggestions, criticism are more than welcome!

PS: There is only one veil standing between man and his creator and it is called nafs (soul).

- Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chishti Rehmatullah Alayh

Thanks for reading