Khalid Zaheer
“I am convinced about the veracity of my opinions, but I do consider it likely that they may turn out to be incorrect. Likewise, I am convinced about the incorrectness of the views different from mine, but I do concede the possibility that they may turn out to be correct.” — Imam Shafa’i
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Mr. Ghulam Ahmed Pervaiz's understanding of Qur'an (2)
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Response to a comment about Dr. Khalid's summary of various approaches
Your gross ignorance of Tasawwuf
Q&A on Tasawwuf
Waseelah: The facts underlying the belief of Waseelah (Sufi Saints)
Re: Virtues and evils of Tasawwuf
Mysticism in Islam: Virtues and evils of Tasawwuf
Peeri mureedi
Is mysticism Islamic?

Re: Virtues and evils of Tasawwuf

Question:
I would be very much obliged if you clarify the following points regarding your answer on the good and bad aspects of tasawwuf (archived ):

1. What is Tasawuuf? What does it literally mean?

2. Sometimes in the subcontinent, people do become Mureeds of peer/darvees/ fakir (I dont really know what they are said in urdu). Is that also a kind of Tasawuuf?

3. Sometimes some sufis say and do different type of recitation (not only from Quaran-e-pak but also differnt verses), singing, dancing (eg. Like in Ajmer, India). Is it also a part of Tasawuuf?

Response:
Following are my answers to the questions you have raised:

i) Tasawwuf is the Muslim version of spiritualiasm which is a way of reaching spiritual truth in a manner that transcends all religious boundaries. As I have mentioned, when spiritualism gets into Jews it takes the form of kabalaism; when it gets into Muslims it takes the form of tasawwuf. There are different opinions on where the word originated from. The opinion that has appealed to me more is the one that suggests that the word has originated from philosphy because tasawwuf is a slightly modified form of 'falasuf', which is the Arabic word for philopher. Sufis are indeed philosophers and psychologists in their approach.

ii) Indeed, the peers, darvesh, faqeers are different manifestations of Sufi. However, let us be clear that not everyone who is a Sufi is aware of what he is into. The reason is that in many cases Sufis present to new entrants into Tasawwuf the stuff that is easily digestible for them. It is only the more experienced Sufis who know the appearance and the philosophy of it.

iii) That is very much so. Indeed the more devoted Muslim Sufis insist that Tasawwuf should not adopt anything against Islamic teachings, but there are others who are more flexible. What I believe is that even if Tasawwuf adopts all Islamic practices completely, it is still un-Islamic because its philosophy and purpose is different from the philosophy and objectives of Islam.

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