DEFINITION OF TASAWWUF

Tasawwuf is the branch of Islamic Knowledge which deals with the Nature and the Attributes of Allah Ta’ala, and which con­cerns itself with those means and practices which purify and rec­tify man’s “baatin” (the heari or the soul -the esoteric side of man) with a view to gain proximity unto Allah Ta’ala.

THE PURPOSE OF TASAWWUF

The purpose of Tasawwuf is gnosis of Allah Ta’ala -to recognize and know Allah Ta’ala. This is the purpose for which man has been created-.

The Auliyaa of Allah Ta’ala have described Tasawwuf variously. Hadhrat Shaikh Shuhaabuddin Subarwardy (R.A.) states in his famous Kitiab, “Awaariful Ma’aarit”: -

• “Abu Muhammad Jareeri was questioned about Tasawwuf and he replied: Tasawwuf means entry into every noble quality and exit from every evil quality.”
• “Junaid Baghdaadi said in answer to a question on Tasawwuf: Tasawwuf is the connection with Allah Ta’ala without any motive.”
• “Abu Hafs• said:

Tasawwuf is manners. For every time there is a manner; for every occasion there is a manner, and for every rank there is a manner.”

• “Ruwaim said:

Tasawwuf is- the total surrender of the soul to the Desire of Allah.”

• “Junaid Baghdaadi said:

The sufi is like the earth. All forms of impurities are deposited on it, but it does not move. (In other words the Sufi has totally surrendered himself unto Allah Ta’la).

The summary of the aforegoing statements is that Tasawwuf is perfect, sincere and beautiful Idaabat and Obedience. The Road trod to achieve this supreme state is known as SULOOK.

ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD, “TASAWWUF”

There are several versions as to the derivations of this term, “Tasawwuf’.

• One version is that it has been derived from the term, “SUF” which means “wool”. The Auliyaa have been described as “Sufis” because of their simple ^-garment of wool which they donned, hence this knowledge imparted by the Auliyaa is termed “Tasawwuf’.
• Hadhrat Shaikh Adbul Qaadir Jilaani (R.A.) and Imaam Ghizaali (R.A.) claim that the word has been derived from the term, “SI FAA”: The word, “SUFI” is in the passive voice being a verb of the primary word, “MUSAAFAAT”. “SUFI” thus means: “One who has been purified and saved from the calamities of the base nafs.”

CONDITIONS FOR TASAWWUF

The acquisition of Tasawwuf is dependant upon the following conditions:

• Correct belief, viz. the Beliefs of the Ahl Sunnah Wal Jama’.
• Observance of All Fardh and Sunnat factors.

Hence, a non-Muslim and an innovator can never attain to the rank of Tasawwuf.

Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi (R.A.) states:

“Tasawwuf is dependent upon the observation of the exoteric Shariah in such a way that the effect of the Shariah acts upon the esoteric side of man and in turn the esoteric side reacts upon the exoteric side of man.”

In other words itis the action and the interaction of the exoteric-^-self (Zaahir) and the esoteric-self (Baatin) brought about by the strict observance of the Shariah. After acceptance of the Beliefs (Aqaaid) of the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jama’ and imprisoning the “nafs” (Man’s carnal-self) within the confines of the Commands and Restrictions of the Shariah, all impressions of the lusts and desires of the nafs are eliminated. In this manner true tranquility of the heart is progressively obtained by degrees. When this reali­ty is attained then man will find pleasure in nothing besides Zikrullaah.
In short the prime purpose of Tasawwuf is the total• destruction of the evil and base traits of the nafs and to totally surrender oneself to the Pleasure of Allah.