rels chapter 8 - sufism

definition of sufism

mystical dimension of islam

arabic word for sufism

tasawwuf

asceticism

depriving of worldly desires for closer connection to God

Hasan al-Basri (642-728)

-born in medina

-not a sahabi

-not a sufi but was accepted as one after death

dhikr

remembrance of God

Rabia Adawiyya

first sufi saint

sober sufis

acceptable to religious elite, fit the norms of islamic law

intoxicated sufis

said blasphemous things

Abu Yazid Bayazid Bistami

• may have brought hindu/buddhist influence into sufism

Hallaj (person)

• said many blasphemous things

• compared himself to jesus

• was crucified in baghdad

Al-Muhasibi and Al-Makki

• great writers of the time

• influenced al-Ghazali

what did al-muhasibi preach

scrutinize your intentions, remember the judgment

what did al-makki write

the food of hearts, analysis of the pillars of islam to get to the root

al-Ghazali preached…

scrupulous adherence to rituals, but also focus on inner spirituality

what did al-ghazali write for sufism

autobiography: the deliverer from error

supported sufism

did al-ghazali support sufism

yes very much

define maqam

hierarchical stations/steps on a mystical ladder

define ahwal

mystical states

define fana’

annihilation of the self in God, ego death

what did Hujwiri write

described fana’ as “burning by fire, transforming everything but leaving its essence the same”

theosophy

philosophy that attains God thru spirituality

define ‘irfan

sufi theosophy

two major figures of sufi theosophy

Suhrawardi and Ibn al’Arabi

Suhrawardi wrote about…

Illuminationism - Everything is made from God’s light and angels are with every soul, illuminating the world (angelology)

Ibn al-Arabi

claimed to be the greatest saint

claimed to receive visions

controversial to this day

Umar ibn al-Farid

revered sufi poet

Rumi

most famous sufi poet

define tariqa

path, brotherhood

is sufism part of shia too

Yes

define ribats

sufi monasteries

wchich group spins around

mevlevis

qadiriyya tariqa

first great sufi order founded by al-Jilani

naqshbandiyya tariqa

founded by naqshband, silent dhikr, sober tariqa

mevlevis

founded after death of rumi in turkey, whirl around, trace their hereditary back to Ali

bektashiyya

founded by hajji bektash

believe in Ali divinity

Twelvers

rifa’iyya

howling dervishes, make wailing noises, shafiite

chishtiyya

first indian tariqa (700s)

qawwali

music performed by chistis

sufism has spread to the west - true?

true

arab spring

poor, young people rebelling against governments since 2010