Sufism: definition, etymology and interpretation
The term taswwuf in Arabic, or Sufism, commonly signifies the mystical dimension within Islam. The person who practices Sufism (the Sufi) is distinguished from society by the practice of asceticism and uses exterior signs to differentiate himself from the rest of society. Nevertheless, the term 'Sufism' covers up and even masks many dimensions such as the Kubrawiya, the Qadiriya, the Shadhiliyya as well as the Jazulis, often diverging in their practices and professing sometimes contradictory doctrines in their fundamental philosophy.
Sufism constitutes a spiritual journey in search of a pathway to the truth. Three paths are defined: the philosophical path – Hikma – the path of light – Nour – and that of love – ichak. These are only landmarks in an indefinite path, inaccessible through ordinary skills or philosophical reflection or rational reasoning, open only to the heart – Bassiratou Al Kalb.
The objective of the Sufi as conceived by the great Sufi thinkers is to attain a stage of excellence – Al'Ihssan – where the servant of God is closest to his Creator: أنت تعبد الله كما تراه فإن لم تكن تراه فإنه يراك. To arrive at this state, the Sufi must undergo testing exercises in introspection – Al Moujahada – where rationality is suspended, and separate himself from all material obstacles or barriers. Thus he goes through stage after stage along the path towards excellence, always relying on the mirror of his own heart – Al Bassira – which is his compass on the way to absolute truth. On this path the Sufi first experiences illumination مقام الكشف المطلق, then love brings him to a state of purification before accessing the state of annihilation of the self in God – Al Fanna – and at last con-substantial union – Al ittihad – where the Sufi loses all existence in reality before the splendour of the divine light and where he breaks through all obstacles to the Creator.
