Sufism - All About Mysticism and Inspiration by Jankhana

Sufism - All About Mysticism and Inspiration

Sufism is a mystical and reflective branch of Islam that highlights the quest of spirituality, love, devotion, and union with the divine. It has provided a supernatural framework to the world, designed with the core elements of poetry, music, and dance.  Transcending religious and cultural boundaries, it has delved into the core of human understanding, taking a contemplative space in the depths of the human soul. Manifesting the eternal beauty, laying the foundation of the internal self, bringing in oneness, and filling with divine bliss have all been the important instruments of this mystical branch. All said in one phrase, “Purify your heart and soul to attain a personal experience of the Divine”.

Digging the Core of History

Like any other cultural or religious belief, Sufism also has its origin narrated in the core of history. The term is taken from two Arabic words, “Saf” and “Suf”, meaning “carpet” and “wool respectively. In the early days Muslim saints used to wear garments of coarse wool, representing abandonment of worldly desires. That’s why they were popularly known as “Sufis”. And just because these saints used to meditate and connect with the divine on a carpet, Sufism took its birth with all purity and divinity.

The roots of Sufism can be traced back to the seventh century that began to taken shape as a distinct movement in the eighth and ninth centuries, specifically in Iran and Iraq. Considering India, the movement with its incredible and spiritual teachings became popular in the twelfth century with the Muslims invading the country, further spreading the message of “fana”, meaning “annihilation of the one” and “ittihad” meaning “union with the divine”.

The Path of Spiritual Purification

The fundamental concept of Sufism is “Tasawwuf” or “Tawhid” meaning “Oneness”. It encapsulates the belief of self-discipline, spiritual union, uniqueness, transcendence, and purification in all aspects. The same is beautifully defined in the Islamic declaration of faith known as the Shahada, "La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasool Allah”. This beholds a simple and straightforward meaning, “Allah is the only God, and Muhammad the Messenger”, further strengthening the Islamic beliefs.

The divinity and belief in the core concept of Tawhid further takes into understanding the three main aspects, including:

·       Tawhid al-Rububiyyah: Oneness of Lordship, meaning Allah beholds all the power of human existence across all realms.

·       Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah: Oneness of Worship, meaning all acts of worship, in any form, directs solely to Allah.

·       Tawhid al-Asma' wa al-Sifat: Oneness of Allah's Names and Attributes, meaning different attributes of Allah, like wisdom, knowledge, mercy, and justice are beyond human comprehension.

Embarking Upon a Spiritual Journey

The teachings of Sufism goes beyond boundaries and realms while varying across different orders and spiritual teachers. However, the common principles and practices include:

·       Cultivating a deep sense of love and devotion for the Divine

·       Manifesting the unity of existence between God and His creation

·       Purifying heart and soul from negativities and worldly desires

·       Remembering God through repetitive chanting or meditation

·       Going beyond the inner self and outward forms through personal spiritual experiences

·       Recognizing and appreciating the inherent dignity of every human being

·       Inspiring individuals to seek spiritual growth and enlightenment.

The Role of Sufism in Poetry

With a profound influence on poetry, Sufism reflects its core elements of divine love, spiritual union, self-realization, self-discipline, compassion, and much more that takes to a better understanding of human soul. For centuries, Sufi poetry has expressed the deepest of human emotions around various themes of mystical Islamic tradition. It is used as a catalyst of change using metaphors and symbolism that are often used to convey the actual essence of this tradition.

Originating from the teachings of the most popular Sufi in the literary world, Rumi, Sufi poetry demonstrates a unique blend of spiritual and religious themes, including:

·       Love and longing drive the spiritual journey with intense longing for the Divine.

·       Inner Knowledge and intuition highlight the idea of discovering the hidden secrets of the spiritual realm.

·       Union and oneness emphasize the concept of merging oneself with the Divine through a direct connection.

·       Symbolism like wine, nightingale, rose, and moth that serves as metaphor for surrender and spiritual enlightenment.

·       Ecstasy and mystical experience that comes from experiencing the joy of being in the presence of the Divine.

Transcending time and place, the poetry has its distinct form that encompasses:

·       Ghazal with a strong lyrical expression of love and devotion

·       Qawwali with pure devotional songs impacted poetry

·       Rubaiyat with poetic verses of Sufi poets

·       Masnavi with highlights of the didactic nature of Sufi poetry

Revolving around the popular themes, motifs, and symbols in various forms of poetry, there are many Sufis who have developed a far-reaching influence with their powerful and reflective poetic works. Not to forget, the deep connection between the past and the present that the ancient and contemporary Sufi saints have developed and nurtured through their poetry with utmost beauty and purity.

The list goes endless when ancient Sufi saints and contemporary poets come down to a single list. However, there are some who have created a legacy, leaving a deep influence on Sufism as well as the society.

Some of the prominent Sufi Saints are:

Amir Khusrau:

He is a prominent Sufi poet of the 13^th century, often referred to as the “Father of Qawwali”. His poetry reflects his simplicity with a deep spiritual connection to Sufism. Exploring around rich metaphors and themes, including love, longing, and divine union, his poems define a legacy in languages like Urdu, Persian, and Braj. Moreover, his literary contributions, his passion for music, and his linguistic competence has left an influential impact on Sufism and other cultures as well. In one of his poems, he emphasizes the need for spiritual perception to see worldly beauty. The poem reads:

“Ay Sarbat-e-Baalaan":

Ay sarbat-e-baalaan, cheh shawad az jamaal-e-yar,

Har rang dar khwaab-i-man didah-o-pardeh zanad.

Translation:

O healer of the afflicted, what will become of the beauty of the Beloved?

Every color seen in my dream disappears behind the veil.

Nizam Uddin Auliya:

A legendary Sufi saint strongly believed in the ideas of destroying the ego and purifying the soul to have a direct experience with the God. Through various forms of his poetry, he has laid emphasis on several aspects of human existence, including renunciation, helping the needy, holding the orthodox beliefs, feeding the hungry, and showcasing mankind. He encouraged all his followers to seek integrity, humility, and purity through abundance of his spiritual and cultural activities focused on spiritual enlightenment and closeness to God. One of his poems encapsulates the belief that a pure heart is the only dwelling place of God. The poem reads:

Dil hai toh duniya hai,

Duniya hai agar dil toh kya hai.

Dil ka darya bhi gehra hai,

Darya bhi agar dil toh kya hai

Translation:

If there is a heart, there is a world,

If there is a heart, then what is the world?

The river of the heart is also deep,

If the river is also a heart, then what is it?

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi:

A 13^th Century Persian poet who believed in dance, music, and poetry as the best way to reach God. He was a notable figure of the historical era writing poems in Arabic and Persian. Also known as the “Poet of Love and Mysticism”, he has deeply impacted literature in all its forms while leaving behind a deep influence on human lives. Rumi is also associated with introducing and emphasizing the concept of “Nafs”, meaning “Recognizing and Transcending Ego”, central to spiritual growth and enlightenment. He also had a unique art of showcasing the hidden positive in any negative. And the same is clearly reflected in one of his famous quotes, “if you are irritated by every rub, how will you polish your mirror?” Mentioning about his poem, “The Hidden Music”, the verses beautifully emphasize the true essence of connecting within the divine residing within everyone. 

We have fallen into the place

where everything is music.

The strumming and the flute notes

rise into the atmosphere,

and even if the whole world's harp

should burn up, there will still be

hidden instruments playing.

Ibn Arabi:

Ibn Arabi was a highly influential Sufi philosopher, theologian, and poet. Considered one of the most influential figures of Sufism, his works reflected metaphysical and spiritual concepts characterized by profound philosophical and mystical experiences, insights, and interpretations. He emphasized the concept of unity (tawhid) and kept inviting individuals to seek deeper understandings of divine reality, love, and the inner journey of the soul. Majorly all his poems demonstrate a deep understanding of the universal language, i.e love and divine union. Portraying the same belief, one of his poems reads:

My heart has become capable of every form:

It is a pasture for gazelles

And a convent for Christian monks,

And a temple for idols

And the pilgrim's Ka'bah,

And the tablets of the Torah

And the book of the Quran.

I practice the religion of Love:

Regardless of what place I am in,

Love is my religion and my faith.

Khwaja Ghulam Farid:

With a broad and humane outlook, this legendary Sufi poet of the 19^th century portrays divine love and spiritual yearning through his iconic collection of verses known as "Diwan-e-Farid". His unwavering devotion for the God and the divine love left a great impact on Sufi Literature and the lives of the common man. He was known for his teachings on spiritual purification, divine presence of God, and the importance of living a balanced life. One of his poems, "The Dance of Ecstasy", is a clear reflection of the same belief. The poem reads:

In the circle of love, we dance and spin,

Lost in the ecstasy that lies within.

The music of the heart guides our feet,

As we merge with the Divine, in bliss complete.

Not to deny, there are more like Farid ud-Din Attar, Khwaja Shams-ud-Din Muhammad Hafiz, Bulleh Shah, Kabir, and Mian Muhammad Bakhsh who played a pivotal role in shaping poetry into a beautiful tapestry of inspiring, thought-provoking, and mystical beliefs. Everyone and anyone can experience this magic, it’s just the way we look at it and the way we connect with our innermost self while discovering the beauty of the Divine, we all have within us. Explore the depths to see the secrets within!

References

Sufism: Meaning, Origin and Main Features of Sufism (historydiscussion.net

Introduction to Sufism | Dr. Soraya Khodamoradi - Academia.edu

Sufi literature - Wikipedia

Sufi Movement in India (yourarticlelibrary.com)

(unc.edu)

Great Rumi Quotes For a More Positive Outlook on Life | Goalcast

Sufism - Theosophical Sufism | Britannica

Nizamuddin Auliya - Wikipedia