View Full Version : Sufi Language
I wonder what you would say about this.
has anyone read something in Sufi? :p I don't know what reminds me of it these days.
I think I can say Sufi language is the only other dialect for fuSHa(Standard Arabic). Have you ever thought that fuSHa can have two dialects?!!! Isn't it interesting? ;) Sometimes you feel like you're reading/listening to a different language! A Sufi dictionary is a must when reading a Sufi text.
I find it really interesting. The words of this language came out with the spiritual experience Sufis have. Simple example, "hunger" (juu3 in Arabic) is "hunger," but in Sufi dictionary it's "wisdom" (if I'm not mistaken).
Where did I get exposed to Sufi language? yeah I know you know we have Dhofari sufis, but no, I wouldn't have any kind of connection with Sufis in my region, Dhofar. Actually I doubt they use this language. If they do, then it would be a few words only!
Something I dare to share: I had an experience with sufism btw. No, my parents are ordinary Sunnis!! It just developed with me in my cozy room in Salalah. Nothing had an effect on me, my sufism developed naturally- I have to say, because I practised it before I knew what it is! This started when I was 13 and ended when I was 14 or 15. I believe it will remain my favourite part of my life :angel: and I believe that this experience is the thing that keeps fighting my doubts about God's existence. Can't share more details :p
I think I'll write something about Sufism in Oman in my blog:think:
Can you elaborate more, what is it all about?!?
^ Interesting, lol :p
There's nothing to elaborate. Just sharing some thoughts. =]
UmKhalid
09-08-10, 02:21 PM
Well I wouldn't call it another 'language', it's more of how they use some words reflecting their perception of things.
Sufism is mostly about spirituality, but some of them have gone too far and entered into mysticism, which is something Islam isn't about.
I recently found out that my family in Iran are Sufis, it was very interesting hearing about my father's experience in attending a Sufi funeral. It's like they have their own culture and traditions to follow.
I like Sufism, I think Hamza Yusuf is also a Sufi, Ali Jafri a Sufi for sure, it interests me too, I'll look up more stuff on how they use words and share whatever I find on this thread... very cool.
What do your parents think of the Dhofari Sufis?
Yes it's spirituality. I think Ahmad Al-Kubeisi is Sufi too. Not sure but some of what he says sounds Sufi to me (like saying you can see the Prophet and telling you about a way to see him!)
I think my parents are fine with those sufis some mosques in Dhofar are full of. Anyway, they don't like grave worshippers for sure. No-one would love them.
And yes, it's not a language, even though they call it so.
As I said there, I think I can say it's a dialect for Standard Arabic.
Its the first time i hear about this.
^ about Sufism??
aha - i am not sure if i ever heard of it before. or maybe I have but did not know that is how its called.
What are the most ppl who are into it? from which country ?
It's تصوف taSawwuf in Arabic.
You find it where Sunnis exist. But I think Hanbali Sunnis don't accept Sufis and Sufism!
You find it in the Levant, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, some regions in East Asia, Yemen, etc.
You find it in Hezaj too; I think people in Hezaj are Shafi'i, not Hanbali? cuz I think Hanbalis are the only Sunnis who wouldn't accept Sufis.
And of course it exists in Dhofar too. Almost all Sufis there are from ahl-albait, or AlSada السادة as they called themselves.
Hezaj?? O_O Can't believe my mind can be this unclear. It's Hejaz حجااااز !
Hezaj?? O_O Can't believe my mind can be this unclear. It's Hejaz حجااااز !
Okay, but i am still not sure what are they different with the Sunnis??
^ Explain your question PLZ!
^ Explain your question PLZ!
Is it a Mathab?
You mean Sufism????
Islam is work and spirituality/Sufism, Neena. Maybe I can say a Sufi is one who focuses on the spiritual part to a great extent.
You mean Sufism????
Islam is work and spirituality/Sufism, Neena. Maybe I can say a Sufi is one who focuses on the spiritual part to a great extent.
I guess i get you now!
Ghazzali
05-09-10, 05:32 AM
Is it a Mathab?
No, it's a science to purify the heart. The word "Sufism" unfortunately has crazy connotations these days but also in the past due to the people who mixed Sufism with their cultures or mystical traditions. Originally it's nothing different than what's in the Qur'ân and Sunnah, and the true peers in this field of science (tasawwűf), refer to the likes of al-Tusturi, al-Junayd al-Baghdâdi, Imâm al-Haramayn al-Qushayri, Imâm Shâdhili and al-Ghazzâli (رحمهم الله) etc.
Sufism in the sense of "purifying the heart in accordance with Qur'ân and Sunnah" is about being humble and loving to serve your fellow men instead of your self. It's about being humble. There is a nice statement which goes:
"Being humble isn't thinking less of yourself. It's thinking less about yourself".
An import factor here is to forget about the worldly pleasures and cut yourself from it, and start travelling to the Divine and thinking only about Him. In words of the great Sufi master Rűmi (رحمه الله):
Oh, if a tree could wander
and move with foot and wings!
It would not suffer the axe blows
and not the pain of saws!
For would the sun not wander
away in every night ?
How could at every morning
the world be lighted up?
And if the oceans water
would not rise to the sky,
How would the plants be quickened
by streams and gentle rain?
The drop that left its homeland,
the sea, and then returned ?
It found an oyster waiting
and grew into a pearl.
Did Yusaf not leave his father,
in grief and tears and despair?
Did he not, by such a journey,
gain kingdom and fortune wide?
Did not the Prophet travel
to far Medina, friend?
And there he found a new kingdom
and ruled a hundred lands.
You lack a foot to travel?
Then journey into yourself!
And like a mine of rubies
receive the sunbeams? print!
Out of yourself ? such a journey
will lead you to your self,
It leads to transformation
of dust into pure gold!
The word "Sufism" unfortunately has crazy connotations these days but also in the past due to the people who mixed Sufism with their cultures or mystical traditions.
This is true, unfortunately.
And it's true that it doesn't come with anything that contradicts the Quran or the Sunna.
Islam is عمل وتصوف, as many many Muslim scholars say.
It's Peace, I swear! It can bring heaven to earth for you.
We have tribes in my hometown who call themselves Sufi, but I don't believe the majority of them are! It's because I don't see them "humble" or peaceful at all.
Sufism is great. I respect it and read their poems and material, also follow some of their acts. But I don't believe in being part of a group. So though I am not a Sufi, I am very much a fan!
sophis^catrina
08-09-10, 06:38 AM
Is it a Mathab?
It's been explained above. Just to add: Mathhab deals with the area of fiqh: how to pray, how to fast, etc - the external worship that our bodies are to do. Sufism (Islamic spirituality) deals with the internal worship (the soul): what state of mind should we be in when we do fast, pray, etc and the inner meanings of all our worship.
Imam Al Ghazali's work, Ihya Ulum Al Din (Revival of Religious Sciences), is generally considered to be as one of the greatest work of Muslim spirituality (sufism/tasawuf).
^ I'll be reading that soon.
Ghazzali, are you sufi? or just interested?
It's تصوف taSawwuf in Arabic.
You find it where Sunnis exist. But I think Hanbali Sunnis don't accept Sufis and Sufism!
You find it in the Levant, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, some regions in East Asia, Yemen, etc.
You find it in Hezaj too; I think people in Hezaj are Shafi'i, not Hanbali? cuz I think Hanbalis are the only Sunnis who wouldn't accept Sufis.
And of course it exists in Dhofar too. Almost all Sufis there are from ahl-albait, or AlSada السادة as they called themselves.
All four of the Sunni schools accept tasawwuf, including the Hanbalis. Ibn Taymiyyah was himself a Sufi. The Salafi/Wahhabis however do not.
hi everybody, I am doing my master on Islamic Sciences-Sufism in Turkey (by the way I am a Turkish citizen living in Oman) and I need to find an Omani Sufi scholar who is living or lived before for my master thesis. Is there any Omani Sufi scholar you know?
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