Tasawwuf General Concept
Tasawwuf, Most of us as Muslims have heard or read about this word from different sources. If we do not go deep, at least in our text books (particularly Pakistani text books) we have read that Sufi’s (Islamic Missionaries) had played a very important role in spreading Islam worldwide in general and in subcontinent in particular. So I hope this word is not new to many people. Lets move to the ideology, Most of us have general concept of Tasawwuf or Sufi as “Something about being pious and harmless or someone who is pious or harmless”, though it is not a wrong concept but it is not what Tasawwuf is all about. It can be Tag Mark attributed with it, but Tasawwuf is complete field in itself demanding hardcore study and training. It will not be wrong if I say it is the toughest study and training.
Is Tasawwuf a science?
Like Physics, Chemistry, Biology it can be defined as science “A science of inner study and training”. But it is more than mere a science, science bases on logic and logic is always immature, you can challenge any logic any time on the bases of a new logic but in Tasawwuf there is no conflict in between, no contradictions because all the things, ideas, activities are integrated resulting in whole picture a complete one with no flaws. Thus Tasawwuf is a vast field comprising science and humanity.
Tasawwuf Definition
Here the question arises what is Tasawwuf, how can we define it?
Answer is very simple, as we define other field of studies.
We define any discipline or field of study on the bases of what we have explored so far in it and keep redefining on the bases of latest updates. The very same way how we define Tasawwuf is what we have explored in it. Let’s try to define it……
“We can say that it is the science of study and training of one’s own self which results in a better human for one’s own well being and for the betterment of the society.”
“Tasawwuf is about finding yourself in the purest form”
It can also be defined as “The process of self purification”.
Whom we see in the mirror is not what actually we are. First of all we should make this thing clear that we comprises two components one is in hard form “our body” and one in soft form “our soul”. As our physical appearance can be modified by hair style, dresses, shoes and different adornments and the choice of these things matter to our impression to others the very same way the identity and impression of our soul depends on how we maintain and manage it.
Tasawwuf a journey
Insha’Allah we will keep exploring it, and keep sharing our experiences and ideas about, in detail. We will try to identify and learn about the elements tools needed and influential for the Soul. For this we need to meet ourselves, first as we are currently and then we have to make it pure step by step. This long journey of study and training is called Tasawwuf.
I have intentionally not included the religious guide lines currently, to start the journey scientifically as we believe it to be more reliable source of knowledge. In next part Insha’Allah we will discuss some institutions and process of Tasawwuf. I am looking forward to so many queries which will help us to move on by brain storming. Thanks, May you also be among those blessed people of Allah Almighty who are thankful to him in every situation, Ameen.
