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by BrettCerv on January 9th, 2007

BrettCerv

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Is Sufism relevant to this modern world?

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  • by Anonymous on January 10th, 2007

    Anonymous

    That is probably debatable, depending on who you ask.

    Sufism is a mystic tradition of Islam encompassing a diverse range of beliefs and practices dedicated to Allah/God, divine love and sometimes to help a fellow man.

    Tariqas (Sufi orders) may be associated with Shi'a Islam, Sunni Islam, other currents of Islam, or a combination of multiple traditions. It has been suggested that Sufi thought emerged from the Middle East in the eighth century, but adherents are now found around the world. Some Sufis have also claimed that Sufism pre-dates Islam and some groups operate with only very tenuous links to Islam.

    There are tapes of Sufi dancing music available which some people find very stimulating.

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  • by jin jang on February 15th, 2007

    jin jang

    Sufism is relevant to the modern world. Sufism began in ancient Persia and was practiced,mostly by hermits,sometimes call dervishes.The practice began many hundreds of years before Islam came into existence,so is not associated with Islam. In fact many Muslim countries ban Sufism for it is a spiritual practice only.It just happened that it originated in Persia.It is a form of meditation and is practiced worldwide by people of all faiths.It is another form of yoga,and follows no dogmatic beliefs,just a love for God.Also music is a part of sufi culture,and sometimes dancing,hence the "Whirling dervishes".Some orders have been going on for thousands of years,passed down from one master to another to this day.

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  • by sleeppro on January 10th, 2007

    sleeppro

    I'm sorry, but have never heard of Sufism. Could you explain it, BrettCerv? I would appreciate it. Thank-you and God Bless, <:))))<><

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  • by FineBalance . on January 9th, 2007

    FineBalance .

    No, until you don't mix sufi music to the modern music.

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  • by dr james on April 16th, 2008

    dr james

    it is to sufis

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  • by Allahuma Sali ala Muhammad saaws on December 25th, 2007

    Allahuma Sali ala Muhammad saaws

    To say that Sufism predates Islam is like saying that Christmas Holiday pre dates Christianity. In fact that might be the case but at least we know that the purpose of Christmas as a holiday would not be relevant without the Existence of Jesus Christ.

    Similarly no matter how you search for orgins of sufism outside of Islam, it is like looking for trouble you search for it and you find it but we can do that with any religion or any mystic tradition if you want to.

    Factually Sufism is an Islamic tradidtion but the facts that is not well known is that the probphet Muhammad Pbuh was a person that used to retreat to the Mountains for meditation and comtemplation before receiving the Quran. He used to spend most of the night in prayer and less in sleep, he also ate very little and gave up most of his possessions to charity.
    He lived in modesty of clothing and preferred the middle path in all matters of dispute.

    These are the foundations of Sufims based upon his teachings both in the Quran and the verbal tradition of the prophet Muhammad (Saws).

    The Prophet Muhammad was born in the 5th Century AD and died within the 7 Century AD while early muslims first spend their time outside of arabia in Ethiopia and Eventually within the 7th Century in China as well as Parts of Africa, Asia and Europe.

    Some assert that muslims traditions changed due to these locations and some assert that newly converted local muslims of various parts of the world mixed their prior traditions with Islam but this cannot be proven safisfactory to assert that Sufism is external or foreign from Islam or even that it predates Islam.

    That would like searching for the origin of Meditation or thought-or which came first the chicken or the egg.
    If you get my meanning.
    Islam like every other belief system has a spiritual element and the sufis were the majority of people that spread ISlam around the world but those countries had since become allied with western nations usually after the period of Crusades and Colonialism that led to indepences but there are exceptions too. Extremist Islamic thought developed at the same time as these alliance with the west took place.

    Western Nations helped convince rulers of muslim nations to worry more about their wealth and power out of fear of sufi orders than their meeting with God. It was this greed and politics that caused persecution of sufi orders in some muslim countries and it had nothing at all to do with islamic belief since Sufism had been in existence in muslim countries long before extremist Islam came on the scene or gained power.

    Sufism is a peaceful tradition dedicated to inner peace and elevation of the spirit. Anyone interested should do research with Sufi orders many of which can be found on the net as well.

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  • by Jewel on December 25th, 2007

    Jewel

    To someone who practices it, it will always be relevant. Just like any belief or religion.

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  • by Allahuma Sali ala Muhammad saaws on December 25th, 2007

    Allahuma Sali ala Muhammad saaws

    The question of whether sufism is relevant in the modern world is like whether anything that is traditional is relevant in the modern world.

    Martial arts still would they be relevant without the film industry? I think so!

    Would Painting sease to be relevant? No!
    Would carpentry sease to be relevant without the huge construction companies? I do not think so!

    Sufism is still relevant for the same reasons as Islam is relevant which is that is has a purpose and meaning in the hearts of many. Times change, and discoveries become revealed with time, politics change along with that but the need for a deeper reality will never change to the extent that it seases to be relevant.

    Sufism does not mean that you cannot have a house, you cannot have a family, you cannot gain wealth and you must hardly eat. That is a misunderstanding though there were some historical examples.

    Sufism is very relevant in the modern world and will remain relevant to the very end.

    These questions can all be answered by sufi orders as well (for a deeper internal view)

    Only the moth that actually was burned by the flame is totally certain of the reality of that flame even if his own reality was alterned or ceased to exist. While other moths merely got somewhat close but never found out the total truth.

    The prophet Muhammad peace be upon him stated that God cannot fit in the entire universe but is fitting in the heart of a believer.

    Imam ALi May his face be honored by God (Son in law of the prophet Muhammad (saws)Was asked about God and he said that when he (Ali) dissappears the he (God ) appears and when He (Ali) appears then God dissapears.(Paraphrased)

    This is sufism-the idea that your inner essence of your heart is the connection to God and your ego and Intellect are the barriers between you and God. They serve you in many ways (Ego and intellect) but compare to the Heart and the spirit they will never be able to comprehend the majesty of GOD so one must dissapear (As Ali did) so allow God to appear.

    That means come down from your high horse of how great and smart we all think that we are and accept our lowness and weeknesses also be humble empty our cups and then It will be refilled. That is Sufism in the traditional sense.

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  • by singwell-is off researching a lot on February 15th, 2007

    singwell-is off researching a lot

    Without meaning disrespect, probably not much. It will remain relevant to those who find fulfilment in its teachings, but will always remain a minor player in Islamic thought.

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