Introduction to Sufism

Introduction to Sufism

BISMI ALLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM

The word Sufi is derived from the Arabic word 'suf' which
means ' wool ' and which refers to the coarse woolen
robes that were worn by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
and by his close companions. The goal of a Sufi is none
other than God Himself. There are signs of God
everywhere in the universe and in man himself.
The origin and essence of man
Man is the mystery of God. For a mysterious purpose,
man was outwardly created of clay and God breathed life
into him, and all of the angels were commanded to
prostrate themselves before him. As the Qur'an, which we
believe is the highest form of revelation, declares:
" And remember when thy Lord said unto the
angels: Lo I am creating a mortal out of potter's
clay. So when I have made him and shaped him
and have breathed into him of My Spirit, do ye
fall down prostrating yourself unto him."
It is this Divine Spirit which is the essence of man. The
body is merely the outward physical form which contains
the Divine spark.
The body is made of the material elements fire, earth,
air and water, and has five external senses -- sight,
hearing, smell, taste and touch; and five internal faculties
-- discursive thinking, imagination, doubting, memory and
longing. All these powers, that is, both the external
senses and the internal faculties, serve the heart. By the
'heart' we do not mean the physical organ which pumps
the blood, and which is possessed by both man and
animals. Rather by 'heart' we mean the Divine spark which
distinguishes man from the animals. And unlike the
physical heart which dies and decomposes with the rest
of the physical body, the Divine spark or heart is
indivisible and transcends death because its origin is in
the spiritual world