Sufism, a Way of Life

What Is Islam?
Islam means Surrender. Sufism is the way to surrender knowingly, willingly, and lovingly in every action that we take. Surrender doesn't just happen once. You must keep on surrending throughout your lifetime. You have to surrender, be consistent in surrendering, and insist on surrendering. This will bring you closer to Allah.

Praise Allah at All Times
Bismillah er Rahman er Rahim (In the Name of Allah the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate). When we speak these words, we remember and acknowledge Allah in everything. Before we pray, before we eat, before sex, before entering the day, before initiating any important action, we speak these words. We praise Allah in all things, at all times.

The Prophets-Messengers of Allah
Accepting that Allah's Truth has been sent through his messengers throughout history is necessary for a true acceptance of Islam. One cannot become a Sufi without accepting Hz. Muhammad (peace be upon him) and all the other prophets. Through Allah's last messenger, Muhammad (saws), who brought us the Qur'an, we have been given the example of how Allah wants us to be.

"And this Qur'an is not such as could ever be invented in despite of Allah; but it is confirmation of that which was before it and an exposition of that which is decreed for mankind-Therein is no doubt-from the Lord of the Worlds." ,(10:38)

The Sufi Way
Allah says in Hadith-e-Qudsi, "I created some of My servants for my Zat (Essence)." In order to reach Allah's Essence the first requirement is the intention to surrender to Allah. This means that your first priority should be Allah, your second priority, Allah, your third priority, Allah, and on ad infinitum. Your relationship with others has to depend on this relationship. For the sake of Allah, you love me. For the sake of Allah, I love you.

Another element is humility. How can you reach Allah if you are not humble? When you are arrogant or full of pride, you are making your nafs (self, ego) God. With this attitude you will get nothing and in the end you are back where you started and not closer to Allah. Humility is not looking down on the ants and thinking how big you are, but looking up at the mountains and seeing how small you are.

The backbone of reaching Allah is Truth. We must lay the foundations of our actions on the Truth, not on illusions. The Prophet Muhammad (saws) was asked a question once, and he said "I'll tell you tomorrow." He was expecting to speak to the angel Gabriel, who was going to give him the answer. For ten days Gabriel didn't show up. And finally Allah said, "Say 'Inshallah' (If Allah wills)." When the Prophet (saws) said, "If Allah wills, I shall answer you," he received his answer. There is no guarantee that one's expectation will be fulfilled. One must surrender, submit to the will of Allah.

Shaykh
The purpose of the Shaykh is to show you the path. Just by joining a Sufi order you are not going to go to Allah. You should do what the Shaykh suggests to you. He is not ordering you to do these things, just showing the way.

There are seven levels between you and Allah.The Shaykh is the one who can take you from one level to the next level and the next level until you get to Allah. If you want to go as far as this level, then you must do this. If you want to go further, then you have to do that. The way is difficult and you may find that you don't want to do what you need to do to reach that level. The Shaykh is not going to make you do anything. He is there to guide you as far as you want to go. Everything depends on you. If you want to go all the way, which you should, then the Shaykh holds your hand and takes you to Allah.

How do you recognize a true Shaykh or teacher? The signs of a true Shaykh are:

1. He follows the Sharia (the laws and the rules that are prescribed by Allah, showing what He is pleased with and what He is not pleased with and what is good for us and what is not good for us.)
2. He speaks about what is in your heart. He answers questions that you have not spoken aloud.
3. When you are in his presence, you forget your troubles. He takes your load.
4. He praises Allah and not himself.
5. He has a lineage and a license to teach the path.

Biat
biat means initiation to a Sufi order. We promise to hold on to the rope of Allah and not let go. We accept Allah as our Lord and promise to obey Him and follow a path that will lead to Him, under the guidance of the Shaykh.

"Lo! Those who swear allegiance unto thee (Muhammad), swear allegiance only unto Allah. The hand of Allah is above their hands. So whosoever breaketh his oath, breaketh it only to his soul's hurt; while whosoever keepeth his covenant with Allah, on him will He bestow immense reward."(Qur'an 48:10)

What is a Human Being?
The purpose for which Allah created human beings is that He should be known. Allah also created us so that we can represent Him. How are we going to represent Him? By surrender, by getting our nafs (ego) out of the way and just obeying Allah as our mind understands Him. "What is religion?" They asked our Prophet (saws). He replied, "Good behavior, good manners, teaching you how to live like a human being."

Human beings have mind (aql), heart (qalb) and nafs (ego; i.e., opposite of Allah). The mind's job is to understand Allah and what Allah is doing. The heart's job is to show this to the mind. The nafs's job is to provide the mind a choice between Allah or self. The whole system is based on this relationship. If you choose your nafs, Allah will play you through you. Allah is not going to manifest Himself or Herself or Itself [Allah has no gender] through you until you give you up.

In sum, there is an animal in you and there is God in you. The combination is you. Now you have to choose one side. When the mind chooses to take the control away from nafs and give it to heart, then the vehicle of the body, heart and nafs moves in Allah's direction, the way with which He is pleased.

next topic: The Five Pillars of Islam
previous topic: Understanding Tariqa