The lexicographer Jawhari (d. 453/1061), a contemporary of Qushayri defined 'ishq, literally, as "being excessive in love (al-hubb). While the Qur'an speaks of love using a variety of words, it does not use the word 'ishq or any words derived from it. Nevertheless, we do find a deriva
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The phrase "awareness of God," is my translation of the word ihsan, which literally means "doing what is beautiful." I have rendered it as "awareness of God" in view of the sound hadith in which the Angel Gabriel [alayhis Salaam] asked the Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Allah shower His Mercy Upon
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The word akhlaq, translated here as "good character," is at best an inexact translation denoting virtuous behaviour that is an outgrowth of spiritual refinement. UTHMAN 'ALI AL-HUJWIRI (d. ca. 465/1072), informed us that Abu al-Hasan al-Nuri (d. 295/907-8) stated,
"Tasawwuf is not compos
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By directly addressing the nature of Tasawwuf, this anonymous Persian poem, "What is Tasawwuf ?" contains a number of essential concepts that are helpful in gaining an understanding of Tasawwuf. Direct statements about the nature of Tasawwuf (also known as Sufism) are an important aspect of Sufi
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İlahi,
İki dünyanın hayatı elimden kaçsa ve bütün kainat düşman kesilip beni terk etse, benim yine gam çekmemem gerekir; çünkü Sen benim Rabbim ve Halıkım ve İlahımsın. Ve benim, nihayetsiz isyanımla ve sair şeref vesilelerine gayet derecede uzaklığımla beraber, Senin m
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"When I come to Love, I am ashamed of all
that I have ever said about Love."
-- Rumi
The substance and meaning of Sufism
The substance of Sufism is the Truth and the meaning of Sufism is the selfless experiencing and actualization of the Truth.
The practice of Sufism
The practice of Sufism i
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What is a Sufi?
One who does not separate himself from others by opinion or dogma;
and who realizes the heart as the Shrine of Allah.
What does the Sufi desire?
To remove the false self and discover Allah within.
What does the Sufi teach?
Happiness.
What does the Sufi seek?
Illuminatio
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"Peace of Mind and Spiritual Healing of Broken Lives" explored from aspects of healing the body to healing the spirit. These incredible experiences are a must for someone in a situation that is too much to handle and needs to be inspired by people who have not only been there, but have triumphed ove
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Jam' (absorption) literally means coming and bringing together. In the language of Sufism, it means fixing all one's feeling, sight and consciousness on the Truth, to the extent that one is absorbed in Him and does not feel the existence of the world with all that is in it. To the degree of one's kn
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Tafrid (individuality) means seclusion from society or going into retreat to devote all one's time to worshipping God. More particularly, it denotes that even when initiates have attained states or stations that others cannot, they never see themselves as such, because of their conviction that whate
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