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Sufism
Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam, eschewing the dogmatic approaches of traditional Sunni, Shiite, and Ibadi Jurisprudence for a love-based relationship with God and meditations on that connection. Most Sufi Elders lived in poverty and closely with the people, leading to many of them being called "saints" by the communities in which they lived. The most famous Sufis are the Mevlevi Order (commonly known as the Whirling Dervishes of Anatolia).
170 Questions
I think there are two best Sufi Singers in India - They are Kailash Kher and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
They sing soulful.
Who are the dervishes of kurdistan?
Kurdistan does not have dervishes; you are likely thinking of Turkey proper. The Whirling Dervishes are a Sufi Order (specifically the Mevlevi Order) who believe that through rotating their bodies while meditating they can commune with God's Divine nature and come to a fulfilling relationship with Him.
In Islam, music is prohibited because it is considered as a distraction when performing prayers and that one can forget doing Islamic duties.
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I think there is a debate among scholars regarding the legality of music in Islam. In fact there is no direct indication in the Quran forbidding music, but some scholars tend to infer that it is not allowed through other sources. These scholars do tend to allow music on certain days of the year and then only with certain instruments.
Within sufis, there are many traditions, and theories regarding music also tend to vary. Some traditions such as the Mehlve (turkey) and Chisti (sub-continent) favor music to a large degree, while other such as Naqshbandi (sub-continent, middle east) and Qadri (sub-continent, middle east) are strictly against listening to music.
The most quoted answer as to why music should not be listened to is due to its strength in giving rise to base desires, especially if the music that is listened to is provoking the listener towards these feelings. Some music also tends to provoke anger and other 'non-beneficial' emotions, which are detrimental to one's soul.
However, some music gives strength to thoughts regarding God. Some music provoke feelings of kindness and charity. Some music increase love for faith and for humankind as a whole. This strength that music gives to one's imagination in such emotions is what causes others to not only validate music but also propagate its acceptance. This music, what gives rise to such emotions is traditionally considered Sufi music and can appear in many forms. With instrument and without instruments. It can take on many qualities, such as qawalies, chants and taranas. It is truly an institution in its own, tracing its roots to more that a 1000 years in recent history.
Truly, music causes much confusion among scholar, since how can something that evokes such kindness in humans be totally forbidden, and on the other hand something that distracts and causes rise to base emotions is obviously detrimental.
My personal belief is that if you feel that you shouldn't listen to music, then consider it forbidden to yourself. But if you find yourself remembering God and feeling love for your fellow human beings, then by all means indulge to a degree that your heart allows.
If you are inspiring towards sufism, then it is my sincerest advice, seek a teacher before indulging yourself fully in music. Only then will you be able to understand what it is.
A Zahedi is a Sufi Muslim. a member of the order Zahediyeh, founded by Zahed Gilani.
What is the difference between sufis and saints?
Sufis and saints are two completely different groups. Sufis, who often do not refer to themselves as such, are those who are on the path to haqqah, or truth, which is God. It is the journey of completely turning your heart to only focus on God and that He is the only true reality. Saints, are those given special privilege or gifts from God. They have seen the Reality and are so intoxicated with God, that it inspires those around them. Some saints may also be sufis, and many of the Sufi Saints have temples built to them when they pass where people may go to be nearer to the saint and one may go there to pray or sing praise. They are not praised above God, but are another source of love.
Do all Muslims have to take part in the whirling dervish?
No, it is not compulsory for every Muslim. Actually, Whirling Dervish is a sufi kind of dance, practiced in Turkey and its purpose is to feel unity with Allah. This tradition was started in reference with Jalal-ud-Din Rumi, who was one of the major Muslims mystics and is still revered in all over the World, including Turkey.
The two opposing sects within Islam are the a Shiites bSunnis cWahhabis or d Sufis?
shia and sunni. Wahhabi is a sect of sunni. and sufis are not political.
Shia and Sunni have mostly same beliefs and both believe in fundamental beliefs of Islam. Today there is up to 260 sects in Islam that are in two main categories of shia and sunni.
the conflict of shia and sunni has been always amplified by world Imperialism to prevent Islam from gaining power.
Shia believes in Allah, prophet and all fundamentals of Islam.
Shia pray 5 times a day but usually do the 2, 3 and 4, 5 pray together and so may seem they do only 3 pray a day. there is some differences in details of pray like genuflect (for shia should be on a stone or part of earth and for sunni on carpet or floor ).
shia believe after death of prophet God selected the successive for prophet who is the political leader of Muslim community and people can not and does not the right to selected it.
Shia believes the Caliph (Representative of God in earth) is selected only by God and can not be selected by people because God said in Koran: "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority" (Quran 2:30) or "O David! We did indeed make thee a vicegerent on earth" (Quran 38:26) also other verses.
Shia believes such verses means only God can select an Islamic political leader (Caliph).
In Shia Islam Caliphs after prophet are 12 Imams and all of them are the same and have no mistake and have the knowledge of everything (not absolute knowledge like knowledge of God) and they hear all sayings and even thinks of all humans after even after their death by permission of God and they are intermediates between God and human Shia Muslims always support them and forgive their lives for them.
Shia Muslims do not consider selection of Abubakr as Caliph by people valid because God did not select him. They believe God ordered prophet to declare people that Ali is selected as successor of prophet and prophet did this mission many times during his prophet-hood and mainly in Ghadir event after last Hajj of his life at a 3-4 hour speech in front of 120,000 Muslims at Ghadir in hot desert after 2 days stop of long caravan for gathering and 3 days after speech for congratulations and homage of Muslims to Ali. Islam at that time had high power in world and Some companions had high interest in leadership position after prophet. Muslims knew that it is the final Hajj of prophet (predicted by prophet) and were going along with prophet to hear what prophet says at end of his life. Shia believes Ghadir event is the most important event of Islam and is mentioned in Koran in many verses like "Today" (اليوم) in verse 5:3 of Quran is the day of Ghadir. Or Verse 5:67 (O Messenger! proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission. And Allah will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For Allah guideth not those who reject Faith) is revealed at Ghadir day and is about declaring political leadership of Ali after prophet.
Both Sunni and Shia Muslims accept happening of Ghadir event But different interpret. Some Sunni writers tried to reject the event of Ghadir as declare of leadership of Ali and said at Ghadir prophet only wanted to say Ali is my friend and no one should bother him. Ali had 3 different missions to Yemen by prophet during 10 years and in 2 of them some companions of prophet had some conflicts with Ali and and prophet said some sayings about Ali to solve conflicts and some sunni writers have mixed stories of missions of Ali to Yemen with story of Ghadir to prove Ghadir event is not about Leadership of Ali and is not important.
Shia scholars believe some Sunni writers have changed and deviated historical evidences about political leadership of Ali in old historical books and republished them to destroy evidences of leadership of Ali from old Sunni books.
The famous Shia book Al-Ghadir (الغدير) by Allameh Amini is a collection of evidences and proofs for Ghadir Events written after referring to 100,000 Sunni books and full reading of 10,000 sunny books. Allameh Amini is a famous Shia scholar and spent 40 years of his life in travelling to access original old Sunni books in libraries in different countries to write this 20 volume book only from Sunni books and not using any Shia book. Some Sunni scholars tried to reply this book but then said if we want to reply this book we should first destroy all books of ourselves.
Shia doctrine have root in Karbala tragedy. When tragedy of Karbala happened most of Iranians understood there is two different kinds of Islam and after happening of Karbala tragedy most of Iranians became followers of "Ahl al-Bayt" and forgive their lives for them like what they did in Iranian Revolution and Iran-Iraq War. Shia Muslims have at least 120,000 Hadith (saying) from The Fourteen Infallibles that is the base of Shia Islam along with Quran. Shia believes according to " Hadith of the two weighty things" The Fourteen Infallibles are the only valid interpreters of Quran and sayings of them are from God because they are Representative of God in earth and they do not say anything from themselves. Shia believes 12th of them (Mahdi) is alive and because people have killed all 11 Imams before him, he is in hide like Jesus and will come out of hide toghether with Jesus when people become ready and want to accept his leadership. All 11 Imams have been killed and during their life thy all have been in prison or under hard control of government to not have any political action. They never had enough serious followers to can get political power. Among them only the sixth Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq was relatively free in his life to have only scientific activities (but banned from any political action) and so only he is known in west because he established university and had students from all over the world. Westerns know him as a polymath: an astronomer, alchemist, Imam, Islamic scholar, Islamic theologian, writer, philosopher, physician, physicist and scientist. He was also the teacher of the famous chemist, Jābir ibn Hayyān (Geber), and of Abū Ḥanīfa, the founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence. He never wanted be a famous man and only shared his knowledge with who wanted to learn. Some researchers consider his teachings the root cause of renaissance.
Sunni Muslims also accept Mahdi and his worldwide leadership as Caliph of God in earth at end of world. There is a famous Hadith from prophet Muhammad (PBUH) that Mahdi at hide is like sun behind cloud, he is hidden from people but people receive his benefits. Shia Muslims say some faithful believers have connection with Mahdi and use his knowledge. Shia Muslims believe that it is proved at least 1000 persons have had connection and talk with Mahdi during his hide period but Any one having relation with Mahdi keep it and does not declare it in public until is alive.
Millions. mainly Suni Muslims and Shia Muslims and others that believe only in one brotherhood and do not believe to be a part of any sect also sufism is followed by many Siks, Hindus and other religions . only Kharji or they are known as Wahabi dont follow the concepts of sufism.
Its a open believe that God makes friends in this world and loves them and love those who love his friends.
Regards,
Mubashir Shah
What is sufi missionaries in Islam?
Sufism had an important part in the formation of Muslim societies as it educated the masses and met their felt needs, giving spiritual meaning to their lives and channeling their emotions. Sufis were also great missionaries who converted new regions to Islam.
Its cultural contribution was a rich poetry in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Urdu, Sindi, Pashto and Punjabi, which spread its mystical ideas all over the Muslim world and enriched local literature and identity.
The two great pioneers in this filed were Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and Hazrat Shahabuddin Suharawardy. Four branches of Sufism, namely Qadriya, Chishtiya, Suharawardya and Naqshahbandya were introduced in the Subcontinent by Syed Bandqi Mohammad Ghosh, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Shaikh Bahawaldin Lakariya and Khwaja Mohammad Baqi Billah respectively.
Answer-2
The purpose of the Sufis and ultimate goal of a person who wants to become a Sufi is to win the pleasure of Almighty Allah by purifying his souls of the worldly gains, passions, lust and want. The chief aim of a Sufi is to purify his 'self' and attain Qurb-i-Elahi (the nearness of Almighty Allah). This can only be attained by following the foot-steps (Sunna and Hadith) of our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (SAW). Religious scholar -an A'alim- reads the text of the Qur'an and disseminates it to his disciples. A Sufi receives the Blessings (barka'at) of the Holy Qur'an and the holy Qalb of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and disseminates them to the seekers (the Saliks.
Where can one watch Whirling Dervish?
Someone can watch Whirling Dervish in Instanbul, as well as in Konya. The Whirling Dervish can be witnessed by anyone, but one must remember that this is actually a religious ceremony.
Who was hailed as mujaddid-i-alf-thani?
Shaykh Ahmed Sirhindi, the Hanafi Naqshbandi Sufi saint and philosopher, of Mughal era India.
THE SOUL PASSES THROUGH DIVINE SPHERES
Answer 1
In fact there is no such thing as a Sufi, all "sufis" are Muslims that emphasize loving Allah (God) and living their life according to the practice of Sunni Islam. They believe in and practice the 5 pillars of Islam, they follow one of the schools of Jurisprudence and usually have a master that guides them and teaches them how to diminish/control their egos.
One cannot call themselves a sufi, but it's more of a title that one earns when he/she has annihilated the ego and has fully realized LOVE with the creator. There are very few "sufis" as most people who would like to be are students of masters of a path of Islamic spirituality.
Answer 2
Sufism - What is it?
Sufism (Sufism) may be best described as a mystical practice that emphasizes certain unique rituals for guiding spiritual seekers into a direct encounter with God. Muhammad is considered their chief prophet and many consider Sufism to be a mystical brand of Islam.
Sufism is a difficult term to actually define because its meaning is supposed to have derived from various words, with differing connotations:
- Bishr ibn al-Harith has said that, "the sufi is he whose heart is sincere towards God." Thus, one of the words from which Sufism is supposed to have derived is safa meaning pure -- this due to the purity of the sufis' heart.
- Others have derived sufi from the word saff; this refers to the sufis' "first rank" before God. Sufis believe that they are in a prominent position in relation to God. The term suffab-- meaning, "People of the Bench" -- and the word suf which refers to the Sufis habit of wearing wool are two more popular supposed derivations of the word sufi.
These two latter definitions gained acceptability because they quite accurately described the observed behavior of the sufi. Sufis, being people who are neither possessed or possess were as the People of the Bench (people who lived in the time of God's Prophet) -- people who had fled the world, wanderers, without this world's goods, not clothed in soft raiment but dressed in coarse wool.
Sufis teach that Sufism may be practiced with any religion -- it is the "heart" of religion. No one faith or belief is questioned; each can follow his own church, religion, or creed.
Sufism - What do Sufis believe about God?
Sufism holds a doctrine of God which is extremely lofty. Here is an excerpt taken from one of their descriptions of God:
". . . 'before' does not outstrip him; 'of' does not vie with him for precedence; 'from' does not accord with him; 'to' does not join with him. . ."
When attempting to decide whether or not God is still in the act of creating, some Sufis are at odds; some say yes, he continues to create since Creator, Maker, and Former (one who formed) are his eternal attributes. Others say he did not become creator, maker, and former by performing these tasks; otherwise he would have been eternally deficient, only becoming complete through the act of creation.
Sufis believe that God is responsible for everything they do, every act that they, as his servants perform. If not, then they would be equal to God, doing whatever they wanted. Thus God is responsible for every thought and deed. God can do with his servants whatever he wills, whether it is to the servant's advantage or not.
One of the important rituals in Sufism is the zikr.During a zikr, one remembers God through meditation, chant, and movement -- certain attributes of God are repeated until the seekers become "saturated" with God. This ritual supposedly, shatters and transforms them. As they spin and whirl around for hours, they reach a state of ecstasy and purity where the heart is only conscious of God. The seeker surrenders his or herself to total abandonment -- a total emptying of self.
Who was responsible for the rehabilitation of Sufism in the twelfh century?
B. Al-Ghazali
I'm sorry but whoever said this was the answer; surely is uncertain. I hate to burst your bubble but the correct answer to this question is al-Hallaj (ahl-hah-LAJ).
If you look it up in your text book you're goin to see clearly on page 296 The Progress of Suffism where it says that in the early 10th century,for an instance, ordinary people revered the great spokeman of Sufism, al-Hallaj.
Your welcome!
P.s..reading is healthy...
What is the meaning of the rank of qutb in sufism?
A Qutb is one who has reached the second highest rank in Sufism, for example the great Mawlana Rumi (rahmatullah alaih) , Shah Walli Ullah , Syed Ali Hijvary commonly known as Data Sahib , Moulana Ahmad Ali Lahori .
