SUFISM

Sufism (TASSAWUF) evokes considerable interest amongst people mainly because of the mysticism associated with it and also because of the unknown secrets of the knowledge of Sufis. There are a lot of anecdotes and stories about their supernatural powers, ability to read someone’s thoughts, their simultaneous presence in different places, their healing power, and so on…. Sufism is not something that can be understood theoretically, it could only be understood through participation, practice and experience.

The essence of Sufism is absolute non-existence that needs no existence besides the Almighty’s existence & to be a true human being free from all bondage and honest with the Almighty itself is being a Sufi. Sufis believe in evolution of man into a complete man by enlightenment through participation and their own experience. A Sufi is liberal like an ocean, kind like the sun and humble like a river. The Sufi is drunk without wine and lost in MASTER’s love. He is sated without food, shows content in poverty, joy in sorrow and loves everyone - even those who don’t like them.

As far as the literal meaning of the word Sufi is concerned, the Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English describes “Sufi as a Muslim ascetic and mystic”. Sufism or “Tariqat”is the embodiment of “Shariat”and “Sunnat”. Even though it’s origin lies in religion, the practice of Sufism emphasize on human values. The main objective of Sufism is to build a strong character in human beings so that they can stay away from sins and achieve such inner beauty which is visible in their everyday actions.

The practice of Sufism is based on the model of the PROPHET MUHAMMED (PBUH). It is evident that, in Islam no one has attained a complete spiritual realization than the PROPHET MUHAMMED (PBUH) Himself.

In simple words a Sufi is a complete man, who exists in total harmony, who surrenders his will completely to the will of the CREATOR and who merges his identity with that of CREATOR. Because of this merger, at times his desires becomes the command of the nature and therefore miracle happens, otherwise they live happily in whatever condition the Almighty wishes them.

A Sufi lives only in present and eternal now. He listens to his inner self and acts accordingly. For him the present moment is the moment to achieve his target. He does not wait for a better or auspicious tomorrow. He evolves every moment. A Sufi is in pledge to the service of humanity as there is no good or evil for the CREATOR. The Sufi is also beyond good and evil but they are the people of highest morality. Sufis never takes credit of any kind as they think that they are serving the humanity with the blessings of ALMIGHTY.

Sufis are lovers, they are the beloved of GOD. They also detach themselves from worldly possessions. For a Sufi everything is equal and they established themselves all the time in the remembrance of the Almighty and follow the path shown by PROPHET MUHAMMED (PBUH). Sufis are people with an open heart. They do not have any prejudice. Their mind is not preoccupied or biased towards anyone. Sufis have no complex, neither are they over awed by the presence of kings nor do they boast in the company of the poor, they take things as they come. They do not condemn anyone even a known sinner, for they consider that to hurt someone’s feeling is the biggest sin.

All descriptions made about Sufis can be seen in the Sufi of this time HUZUR SULTANUL AULIA HAZRAT KHWAJA SUFI MOHAMMED HASAN SHAH (Q.S.A), a prominent and enlightened Sufi Master from Silsila-e-Qadriya, Chishtiya, Naqshbandiya, Shuharwardiya, Abulolaiya, Jehangiriya and Munamiya.