What is a Sufi and how did they achieve their goals?

Sufism may be best described as Islamic mysticism or asceticism, which through belief and practice helps Muslims attain nearness to Allah by way of direct personal experience of God.

What were the main teachings of Sufis?

The main teachings of Sufism are:

• There is only one God.
• All people are the children of God.
• To love one’s fellow men is to love God.
• Different religions are different ways to reach God.
• Devotional music (qawwali) is one way of coming nearer to God.
• Fasts and rituals are not essential to reach God.

How did the Sufi movement influence the cultural life in medieval India?

Sufism helped the assimilation of the Afghani Delhi Sultanate rulers within mainstream society. By building a syncretic medieval culture tolerant and appreciative of non-Muslims, Sufi saints contributed to a growth of stability, vernacular literature, and devotional music in India.

What is a Sufi teacher called?

A Sheikh or shaykh (Arabic: شيخ shaykh; ; pl. شيوخ shuyūkh), of Sufism is a Sufi who is authorized to teach, initiate and guide aspiring dervishes in the islamic faith.

What impact did the Sufi movement have on Indian society and culture?

Why is studying the Quran forbidden in Sufism?

In Sufism, studying the exegesis of the Quran or reflecting on the meanings of its verses is discouraged or even forbidden. Sufi’s claim that every verse of the Quran has an external meaning and an internal meaning.

What are the Sufis allowed to do?

(Reported by Muslim). The Sufis allow dancing, drums and musical instruments, and raising the voice when making dhikr, but Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): The believers are only those who, when Allaah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts [al-Anfaal 8:2]

What is the tareeqah of Sufism?

Sufism has numerous branches or tareeqahs, such as the Teejaniyyah, Qaadiriyyah, Naqshbandiyyah, Shaadhiliyyah, Rifaaiyyah, etc., the followers of which all claim that their particular tareeqah is on the path of truth whilst the others are following falsehood. Islam forbids such sectarianism. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

Do you know what Sufiism is?

Disturbing images of mystic Sufi elders jabbing their heads with knives or submitting themselves to various means of torture are all too common as well. One interested in Islam may get a wrong idea about Islam and Muslims, for to the occident ‘Sufis’ and ‘Sufism’ is just a synonym of Islam and Muslim.