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Sufism Research Paper

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In the Islamic world, Sufism is a word used to describe an aspect of the Islamic faith which is largely focused on mysticism. Many non-Muslims consider Sufism to be a sort of Islamic sect, however this is extremely inaccurate. Sufism is a very blanket term, and refers to a style of thinking and philosophy that aims to find divine love and wisdom through direct personal experience with God. Sufism is as old as the Islamic religion itself, dating back to the 7th century. Ultimately, all Sufi orders trace their origins back to the prophet Muhammad himself. It is believed by many that the prophet instructed his successor to in mystical teachings that are believed to be hidden within the Qur’an. However, it is not known who exactly Muhammad’s successor …show more content…

There are eight principles which the Chishti order values. The first of which is Obedience to the Shaykh or Pir. These figures are teachers or Sufi masters who hold a great amount of authority in the Sufi world. They must be shown respect and reverence. The second principle is the rejection of possessions and the material world. The Chishti Ideology looks down upon owning property or a great amount of material possessions because they feel that it is negation of faith in God. Similar to Christian tradition, one cannot serve both God and their possessions. The third practice is maintaining a distance from worldly powers such as heads of state and kings. The Chishti order was founded with religious and spiritual intentions. They did not want to cloudy their faiths and beliefs by becoming involved with outside powers or influences. The Chishti Ideology also recognizes the importance of respecting others and providing assistance to those in need. These aspects of faith are very important in the Chishti tradition. The fourth, fifth, and sixth beliefs are supporting the poor, service to humanity, and respect for other devotional traditions. This tradition also emphasizes dependence on the creator not creation, as well as the disapproval of showing off miraculous feats. In order to connect with Allah on a more personal level, the Chishti tradition teaches several different practices so that one can …show more content…

In establishing the order, Inayat Khan set forward ten principals that would serve as the foundation of the brotherhood. A condensed version of the ten principals are as follows, “There is one God, There is one Master, There is one Holy book, There is one Religion, There is one Law, There is one Brotherhood, There is one Moral, There is one object of praise, there is One Truth, and There is one Path.” Since the death of Inayat Khan in 1927, Universal Sufism has obviously taken on new leadership, and has developed its own modern objectives. Firstly, the International Sufi Movement seeks to promote tolerance and love between all religions. The main mission of Universal Sufism is to bring together the eastern and western worlds through dialogue and the exchange of thoughts and Ideas. This Order of Sufi thought urges one to understand Sufism as an open door. If one looks to the Greek and Arabic languages, one will find that the word Sufi means “Wisdom” and “Purity” respectfully. It is through purity that one will experience wisdom. That means letting go of preconceived ideas, and forgetting about doctrines and dogma. Sufism is not a religious sect or school of theology. It is an attitude of reverence and respect towards all religions and beliefs that promotes love and

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