Sufism - Tasawwuf

Sufism is the name of the ways sufis follow to reach God, the Truth. While the term tasawwuf usually expresses the theoretical or philosophical aspect of the search for truth or God, its practical aspect is usually referred to as ‘being a Sufi.’

 

Tasawwuf has been defined in many ways. According to some, |Tasawwuf is Almighty God’s annihilating man with respect to his ego and self-centredness and then reviving him spiritually with the lights of His Essence; In other words, God’s annihilating man with respect to his own will and then directing him by His Own Will. Another approach to Tasawwuf sees it as the continuous striving to be rid of all kinds of bad maxims and evil conduct and acquiring virtues.

As per Junayd Baghdadi (RA), a Famous Sufi Master and Saint, Sufism / Tasawwuf is a way by which to recollect "Self Annihilation in God" and "Permanence or subsistence with God". Shaik Shibli an other Sufi master defined as being always together with God or in his ever Presence while aiming at nothing worldly or even other worldly. 

One Sufi Saint described as resisting the temptations of the carnal self and bad morale and acquiring laudable morale. Some mentioned that Sufism is seeing behind the reality of the things and events and interpreting whatever happens in relation to God  in this world. Living continuous effort to be with God with a profound, spiritual feeling indescribable in physical terms and living in profound awareness of being continually overseen by God.

Sufism / Tasawwuf is a path leading to knowledge of God and is a way demanding solemnity [of bearing and purpose]. There is no room in it for negligent or frivolous manners. It requires that the initiate should, like a honeybee flying from the hive to flowers and from flowers to the hive, continuously strive in pursuit of knowledge of God. He should purify his heart from all attachments other than seeking God, and resist all inclinations and desires and appetites of his carnal self.

 

The principles of tasawwuf may be listed as follows:

1. Reaching substantial, true belief in Divine Oneness and living in accordance with its demands.
2. In addition to heeding the Divine Speech (the Qur’an), discerning the commands of the Divine Power and Will on the face of the universe (the laws of creation and life which are the subject matter of the sciences) and obeying them.
3. Overflowing with Divine love and getting on well with all other beings in the consciousness (originating from Divine love) that the universe is a cradle of brotherhood.
4. Acting with a spirit of altruism and therefore giving preference or precedence to the well- being and happiness of others.
5. Acting in accordance with the demands of the Divine Will—not with the demands of our own will—and trying to lead our lives at the ‘peaks’ of self-annihilation in God and subsistence with Him.
6. Being open to love, spiritual yearning, delight and ecstasy.
7. Acquiring the ability to discern or unveil what is in hearts or minds through the expressions of the face and the Divine mysteries and meanings on the face of events.
8. Visiting such places and seeking the company of such people as will encourage avoidance of sin and striving in the way of God.
9. Being content with lawful or licit pleasures, and being determined not to take even a single step toward the sphere of the unlawful.
10. Continuously struggling against worldly ambitions and the illusions that lead us to suppose this world to be eternal.
11. Never forgetting that even in the way of serving religion and striving for the guidance of people to the way of the Truth, salvation is only possible through certainty or conviction (of the truth of religious principles of belief and conduct), sincerity or purity of intention and aiming only to please God.

Reference -

http://www.thewaytotruth.org/sufism/TasavvufOrSufism.html