Sufism

Sufism (Arabic تصوف taṣawwuf) is a school of esoteric philosophy in Islam, which is based on the pursuit of spiritual truth as a definite goal to attain. In modern language it might also be referred to as Islamic spirituality or Islamic mysticism.

Traditional Islamic schools of thought and Sufism

The relationship between traditional Islamic Schools and Sufism is complicated by at least three important factors. First, Sufism as a separate movement within Islam makes its appearance quite late, so we cannot know for sure how the very earliest of the scholars would have treated it. Second, the founders and earlier scholars of the schools have displayed mixed opinions towards Sufism. Thus, although most of them recognized Sufism, illustrated for example by Imam Hambal's frequent visits to the Sufi master Bishr al Hafi, there are others who considered Sufism to be heretical, to the extent of leading to disbelief. Third, the term Sufism has had such a wide range of connotations, mostly emotive definitions rather than theological or logical ones, that a comparison to traditional Islam is essentially not possible except in a strictly defined context.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Muslims hold Tasawwuf to be the sciences of the heart (as distinct from Fiqh which are the matters of practice and Aqidah which are matters of the intellect). For a more detailed exposition of how Sufism is very much a part of traditional Islam, please refer to the following article titled The place of Tasawwuf in traditional Islam.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some Muslim groups (such at the Salafis ) hold Sufism to be a form of reprehensible innovation (what is called Bida in Islam) see http://www.allaahuakbar.net.

Related Topics:
Salafis - Bida

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~