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Islamic Mysticism
Islamic scholars
believe that Islamic mysticism and Sufism are adopted from the spirit and
truth of Islam, but there have also been influencing attitudes entering
into it from the mysticism of other religious communities.
The Islamic school of Basra, a
city in present day Iraq, in mysticism and Sufism transformed devoutly
Sufism to loving Sufism. The school of Khorasan was strongly based on
rebuking oneself in people and/or God?s presence. People?s approval was
believed to block their hearts from stepping toward God.
There are various
methods in Sufism to be on the way toward the truth:
v
The method
of devotion;
v
The method
of revelation and recognition; and,
v
The method
of pantheism.
The Way to Recognize
The Truth
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A Sufism disciple,
in his spiritual journey, must obey his master and go through eight
austere stages to get intuition that is altogether the way to recognize
the truth.
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Seeking,
-
Refining
morality, including degrees like repentance, refrainment, abstention,
poverty, patience, reliance, contentment and submission. It is also
inclusive of undergoing some states felt by heart. They are the feelings
of being in carelessness, closeness to God, love, fear, aspiration,
enthusiasm, observation, assurance,
certainty, and praising.
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Having enthusiasm
and anxiety,
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Loving,
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Getting perplexed,
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Becoming void, and
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Believing in one
sole being.
There have been
different people taking these stages in various ways and pioneered several
orders of Sufism like Noorian, Hakimian, Qaderian, Sohrevardian, Molavian,
Safavian, Nematollahian, Naqshbandian, ?
Khaneqah or Khanegah
It is the residence
and private place for Sufis to concentrate on their devoted life. These
buildings consisted of bathhouses, stables, dance halls (ceremonial
religious dancing), mosques, classrooms and a few other facilities.
Code of Dressing
A coarse cloak (Kherqeh)
has been what a high spiritually ranked Sufi presented to another Sufi of
lower rank. They are differently named depending upon various occasions
under which they are presented to a Sufi.
Spiritual Dancing
Among some orders of
Sufis, in occasions like thanksgiving, they follow an old tradition of
playing music and dancing. Sama? is a spiritual means to persuade Sufis to
dance, which is mixed with spiritual rejoicing.
The Influence of
Mysticism on Human Life
Mysticism and Sufism
have influenced the societies they have grown in. True Sufism have put
positive impacts on the others resulting in great changes like: producing
balance in religions, respecting humanity, teaching uprightness and
liberalism, purifying heart, associating with people, tending to
cooperation and devotion, leading people toward the truth, introspecting,
teaching love and kindness, ignoring the gravity of death, believing in
the importance of human beings, helping religion to flourish, helping the
richness of literature and so on.
Therefore, Iran?s culture is
abundantly indebted its richness to the mysticism and Sufism that is still
deeply rooted in its present cultural condition. Knowing mysticism helps
to examine the today?s society in Iran
as well as other fields impacting people?s lives.
Written By: Rahman
Mehraby |
