  |
SUFIS THE
WHIRLING SAINTS OF ISLAM |
||
|
Sufis
are often described as the mystics of Islam, but Sufism fits awkwardly
in the categories of religions. Technically Sufism is a denomination of
Islam, however there are many Sufis that are not Muslims and there are
many Muslims that are reluctant to consider Sufism part of Islam.
One of the few concepts that Sufis seem to agree on is that all
religions offer a path to salvation or enlightenment and that true God
realization, no matter how it is achieved, transcends the limitations
and classification of any religion. Basically, a saint in any religion
is equal to a saint in any other religion because they are inspired by
the same Divine source. Initially the term Sufi referred only to those
who had achieved God realization, but it has since come to be applied to
anyone who follows that particular spiritual path. The name Sufi comes from “suf,” the Arabic word for wool or |
|
||
 |
The
Sufi Way consists of four stages. The first stage involves learning the
morality and ethics of all religion, which is accomplished by studying
Islam. Non-Islamic
Sufis rely on other religions or the writings of Sufi saints to
establish the foundation of morals and ethics. The
second stage is the path of Sufism, which is a focus on internal
practices in the same way that Islam offers the external practices of
law and worship.
|
||
|
The
first two stages are accomplished through practice and imitation,
basically surrendering blindly to rituals.
The third stage is where the aspirant begins to understand the
meaning behind the teaching and practices, experiencing God within and
the mystical states of Sufism. The
fourth stage is ma'rifah
or gnosis. This is where the knowledge of God is realized and is only
achieved by prophets, great masters and saints. The goal of following
the Sufi way (or to be devoted to any other religion) is not to become a
saint, but rather to align your life with the will of God and to do all
that you can to accept and live by God’s Grace. Indeed, if your goal is to become a saint, it is all but assured that because of your own desires you will never become one.
|
|||
