A Scholastic Definition of Sufism

Sufism has been defined as the inner, esoteric or psycho-spiritual dimension of Islam. And Sufis have often been called the mystics of Islam. Such definitions and labels can provide an orientation, but they are far too broad and far too narrow to designate the diverse teachings of Sufism.


A Sufi Definition of Sufism

All Sufis agree that Sufism is built upon two pillars: Islam and faith. Islam, the submission to The One and Only God, the God of Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Mohamed may peace be upon Them. And faith: having certitude in the oness of God, belief in all His Messengers, His books, His angles, fate and the day of judgement.

If you ask a Sufi what Sufism is, you will get varied answers. Each will give a definition according to his (or her) individual experience. You will hear it being referred to as a passage of love, a way of devotion or a path of knowledge. They might employ various means but all Sufis covet the same: inner transformation striving for spiritual perfection.

Explaining the meaning of Sufism, a great Sufi teacher, Mohamed Al-Jurayri, said: "It means taking up every sublime moral characteristic and leaving behind every lowly one." Imam Bagdadi said: "Sufism is founded on three traits: adhering to poverty and dependence on God, attaining the virtues of generosity and selfless giving, and abandoning resistance and choice." Imam El-Jurayri stated: "Sufism means maintaining a vigilant awareness over one's states and holding to correct behavior."