Reflections on Sufism

Reflections on Sufism

In the Name of Allaahu, the Presence of Love, the Existence of Love


O Salik,

Know that we owe our individual existences to al-Haqq alone. As I have said elsewhere and repeatedly, we exist only because the Beloved looks into Hu's Self and desires our existences. Yet do not let the outward world of forms deceive you, for Reality (al-Haqq, Hu) is neither captured within or without the mind. It is like this: Put a mirror before you. When you think you see yourself in the mirror does that mean that you're part of the mirror? Does that mean you exist within the mirror? Not really, right? Our world of forms is just like the mirror. And the essential you are looking down on it from within a state of no-time. This way, realize that perception neither takes place in being nor non-being. Reality simply IS.

***

Let us speak of the reality of the Islamic spiritual science called Tasawwuf which is better known in the Occident as Sufism. (I somehow regret it being called such, especially with the appearance of the sufix "ism"!)

Know that every genuine Sufi order traces its lineage back to the Heart of the Sweet Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad al-Musthafa (salla Allaahu alaihi wa salaam), which in reality is a shoreless Ocean of Ma'rifat (Direct Knowledge of Reality or Gnosis), Rahmah (Mercy) and Mahabba (Love, Ishq). Actually the division of Ma'rifat, Rahmah and Mahabba isn't necessary when referring to the Light of Reality (Nur al-Haqq). The Prophet (SAW) said: "Shari'ah is my sayings, Tariqah (Tasawwuf) is my actions, and Haqiqah is my inner states." In reality, Tasawwuf (the Way of Knowing, the Way of Being) started with the Prophet (SAW) and was (generally speaking) first transmitted into the heart of the Beloved Wali of Allaahu, Hazrat Imaam 'Ali (karram Allaahu wajhahu), cousin, son-in-law and adopted son of the Prophet (SAW), of whom the Prophet (SAW) said: "I am the City of Knowledge, whosoever desires to enter it, must enter through its gate, 'Ali," and into the heart of the Mother of Sufis, Ummi al-Awliyya', Hazrat Bibi Fatima az-Zahra (radhi Allaahu anha), the Prophet's beloved daughter, wife of Hazrat 'Ali, and mother of the Sayyids and Sayyidahs, the Prophet's descendants on Earth, whom the Prophet (SAW) referred to as the Loving Fountain of Abundance (al-Kautsar) and the Center of Silence. From the heart of the Prophet (SAW) and the hearts of Hazrat 'Ali and Hazrat Fatima, Sufism branched forth. Today there are approximately 42 genuine Taruq (plural of Tariqah) on Earth. The leader of a Tariqah, called Shaykh, Mawlana or Pir, must possess the knowledge of both the outward and inward realities, that is, the manifest and hidden realities, hence combining all the three stations of Shari'ah, Tariqah and Haqiqah, and must be like an empty vessel representing the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), resounding only with al-Haqq. Because in general, it is through the Shaykh that the blessings from the Reality of the Prophet (SAW) (Muhammadan Reality, al-Haqiqat al-Muhammadiyya) flow. Always be aware of the fact that the Prophet (SAW) said: "That which Allaahu first manifest was my Light," and, "I was a Prophet when 'Adam was still (in the state) between water and earth." This sheds light on the singular status of the Prophet (SAW) as the First (and the Last) in the hierarchy of graded existences or manifestations.

So be aware, because there are "false" Sufi orders nowadays whose ways are un-Islamic. (I regret having to use the word "false".) Sufism isn't a jumble of mystical traditions, nor did it adopt the ways of the Christian mystics as many orientalists (who are often mere scholars that do not practice spirituality themselves) claim. This is indeed one of the greatest slanders perpetrated by the envious and is aimed at the annihilation of the foundation of Islaam. Tasawwuf is simply the inner reality of Islaam that leads to Maqam al-Ihsan, the Station of Excellence, the Station of Witnessing, and Being Witnessed by, Allaahu, which uniquely belongs to the Prophet (SAW), whose Reality is the Supreme Manifestation of the Greatest Name (Intrinsic Attribute) of Allaahu which is inclusive of all other Names (Attributes) of Allaahu. It leads to Fana' fi Allaahu (Disappearance into Reality, the Source of Love), also known as Fana' fi Mahbub (Disappearance into the Beloved) and Fana' fi Dzat (Disappearance into the Essence of Being), through Fana' fi Rasul (Disappearance into the Reality of the Prophet (SAW)), and is unique in its own right. To say, "Sufism started even before the advent of Islaam" is equivalent to saying, "Islaam existed even before its first manifest establishment in al-Hijaz (Arabia). In fact, all the Prophets who came before the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had taught none other than the Singularity of Allaahu (Tauhid), i.e., Islaam," which is not a surprisingly unique statement at all in a sense. In general, the purpose of such a saying is to degrade Sufism to mere "unbranded spirituality", which however is but a vain attempt, because one really cannot speak of Sufism without Islaam and vice versa, just as one cannot speak of the sea without its depths or the sky without its atmospheric layers; the depths and layers are but hidden realities of the sea and the sky. In particular, many have attempted to rid Sufism of its Islamic reality because many of them, usually spiritually inclined Westerners, do not wish to understand the mysteries of, or deal with, what they call the "exoteric trappings" of the Islamic Shari'ah. It is true that Tasawwuf has always existed since the dawn of Man as a living spiritual science and a method of higher awareness. But again this is just another way of saying, "Islaam has always existed from the beginning of the world." However, just as the light of Islaam was perfected during the earthly time of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), so was its kernel and spirit, i.e., Tasawwuf. Thus it is most proper to speak of Sufism in its most perfect state, in the full Muhammadan Light, otherwise it could be considered outdated, even vacuous, and highly unethical. (To put it somewhat roughly, "Let us call a spade a spade!") Islaam is the only all-encompassing, self-contained, self-consistent, self-unified Way towards the recognition of the Presence of Universal Singularity, Allaahu. It is that which integrates the material and the spiritual. In reality, graded existences and their corresponding knowledge exist only under the Veil (Hijab) spanned by the Reality of the Light of the Prophet (SAW), who is the First and the Last of the Prophets and of all existential emanations, the First Emanation of the Intrinsic Radiance of Allaahu, the Ultimate Manifestation of the Names of Allaahu. The ultimate aim of Tasawwuf is to enable the soul to gaze at the Beloved, Allaahu, in the Light of the Prophet (SAW).

As Shaykh Ibn 'Arabi (radhi Allaahu anhu) described, the Station of the Prophet (SAW) is the most excellent that its Kibla (Focus) is neither in the East nor in the West in a rigid sense, but in "between them", that which encompasses all directions. The West (where the sun sets) refers to the Station of the Prophet Moses (alaihis salaam) and its reality is the outward and its language is ritual. The East (where the sun rises) belongs to the Messiah Jesus (alaihis salaam), Al-Masih 'Isaa Ruh Allaahu, and its reality is the esoteric (inward) and its language is love-based gnosis. The blessed station of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encompasses both the outward and the inward and its reality is Annihilation in the Reality of realities, Fana' fi al-Haqq. The Muhammadan station is also known as al-Maqam al-Mahmud (the Station of Glory or Praise). Therefore, the Prophet (SAW) said: "I have been given all realities (stations and names)." He (SAW) also said: "Salaat (foundational prayer or namaz ) is the mi'raj (ascension) of the Spritual Wayfarer (Salik)." When we begin to pray, we say "Allaahu Akbar" with intense love and utmost longing such that we realize that we are almost non-existent in the immense boundlessness and greatness of al-Haqq. In Salaat, we have to be "naked", and this is done by discarding our ego, and whatever can be considered as part of our illusory psychological or social conditioning. This naked state of the soul is referred to as "Fitrah" in Islaam. The Prophet SAW said: "Imaan (Faith) which is but Mahabba (Love) is naked and it is dressed with Taqwa (Piety)." He (SAW) also said, "The soul (ruh) returns to Allaahu, her Source, alone and unfolded."

Nowadays there are Spiritual Adepts (Pirs) in America and elsewhere claiming to be Sufis while in reality, they have adopted elements "alien" to Islaam. While some of them may be sincere though negligent to some degree, some only desire fame and fortune in this world, and many of their disciples are but puppets in their hands. This way, they abuse the essence of the terms "Sufi" and "Sufism".

Know that the proof that someone is a Sufi is the inward silence filled with nothing but love of Allaahu. Know that, in the most perfect sense, love of Allaahu is the highest, most rarified awareness of Hu's Singular Presence or Reality. As such it is sufficient that this state be witnessed by Hu alone in silence. Otherwise, in most cases, people claiming openly to be Sufis only desire to replace the sweetness and purity of the inward silence and intimacy with the Beloved, the Only Witness, with worldly recognition and selfish delight. There is no need to further "universalize" Islaam for it is already the most perfect Universal Religion. It is "ok" to speak of a universal spirituality, please by all means do that, but please do not hasten to label it "Sufism", for this might hurt others who are genuine Sufis, many of whom are high-rank Muslims in terms of spirituality and scholarship. It was the Sufis that mostly spread Islaam in the past, from Maghrib (Morocco) in the West, to India and Central Asia, to Indonesia, in the Far East.

The signs of a genuine Shaykh have been given by the Prophet (SAW) himself: "It is he whom if you gaze at him, you see my Radiance (Light), and in fact that shall remind you of Allaahu," and, "He does not love me who nullifies my sunnah (traditions)."

***

The Ocean of Kulzum which belongs to al-Haqq is deep beyond ordinary comprehension,
The winds and waves are utterly strong, disposed to sweep realities,
Yet it is the inner Silence that houses the mysteries that sustain them.

Time passes, stories come and go,
Shadows (appearances) appear and disappear,
Yet the torrents keep on intensifying.

If the Salik is weak, no doubt, he or she might be crushed on the surface of things...
Therefore have a raft, my dear, have a raft and cross this Ocean of longing.

Come, come onto this raft of Ours,
Let us set sail, but never question why we have left the anchor behind,
For we have done it on purpose, that love that knows no fear but only yearning,
May grow unceasingly.

Wujud Allaah shall be Our raft,
'Ilm Allaah (Ma'rifat) shall be Our oar,
Imaan shall be Our rudder.

It is because of Ishq (Love) alone that the Ocean shall burn in love for us to see.

Come, don the garment of Tawakkul (Sincere Surrender)
And greet the waves and winds with the penetrating echo: "Allaahu Haqq!"
For the Language of the Ocean is one: Tauhid,
Its will is but one, Iradah Allaah (the Will of al-Haqq),
And its power is but one, Qudrah Allaah (the Power of Essence).

Come, let us speak solely of Tauhid Ma'rifat and Mahabba
And gaze at the unseen with 'Ilm Yaqeen (solid certainty based on both gnosis and direct experience),
Until we are completely dissolved in Love, in Reality.

***

There's a beautiful article which I'd like to share here. It is called "Sirru al-Hubb al-Ilahi" and is quite intoxicating. It is on the website of one of the oldest Sufi orders in the Maghrib (North Africa), Tariqah Syadziliyya. Here's the link: http://www.sufimaster.org/. May Allaahu embrace their banquet of love with utmost intimacy and especially bring their new members closer and closer to annihilation!

Please remain in this way of love. Let it rain love in your heart, for it knows already what love is all about. Be unfolded at the dawn of perfection. Then, you shall see none but al-Haqq alone as Hu says in the Qur'an: "... Wherever you turn, is the Face (Presence or Sign) of Allaahu."

Ah, this is all but a game of hide and seek...

Come, let us go home, all of us.

La ilaha illa Huwa...

Ishq,

{Dani}

Appendix: Tasawwuf in a nutshell

In a nutshell, Tasawwuf, or in its original Arabic, TASHAWUF, consists of the following:

Ta = Taubah = Repentance
Sha = Shafa = Purity
Wa = Wilayat = Manifesation of the Realization of the Essence of al-Haqq in ultimate nearness with Hu
Fa = Fana' = Annihilation in the Reality, Existence, Source, Presence of Love, in the Light of Allaahu's Essential Oneness beyond interdependence, perception and causal attributes (Ahadiyya)

These terms have been eloquently explained by our Master, al-Ghawth al-'Azham Mawlana Shaykh al-Islaam 'Alahazrat Abdul Qadir al-Jailani (rahimahullaahu).