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.

Universal Sufism

Sufism is usually seen in relation to Islam. There is a major line of Non-Islamic or offshoot-Islamic Sufi thought that sees Sufism as predating Islam and being in fact universal and, therefore, independent of the Qur'an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. This view of Sufism has understandably been popular in the West but is opposed by traditional Sufis who practice it within the framework of Islam. Major exponents of universal Sufism were Inayat Khan and Idries Shah.

Related Topics:
Qur'an - Muhammad - Inayat Khan - Idries Shah

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There is also an attempt to reconsider Sufism in contemporary Muslim thought from within. According to this view, Sufism represents the core sense of Islam that gives insight to God and His creation.

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Universal Sufism is described in an article in the magazine Rays from the Rose Cross, in November 1917, entitled ?The Sufi Mystics.? The author introduces this article by saying that ?the reports of those who have studied them all laud their transcendent spirituality?. "They are not Rosicrucian, but they have Wisdom, for all that", and he states the reader will ?undoubtedly profit? from reading about these wise men. He adds: ?There is a striking analogy between the Sufis in their relation to Mohammedanism and the medieval Alchemists in their relation to the then dominant church. Both Sufis and the Alchemists had the leaven of truth and both were forced to hide it under symbols and signs.?

Related Topics:
Rays from the Rose Cross - Rosicrucian - Wisdom

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