Rethinking Sufism

Abstract

In this chapter, I attempt to illustrate how Sufism as an “initiatic way” (ṭarīqa) and “spiritual science” (ʿilm al-taṣawwuf) can contribute to the positive transformation of a believerʼs consciousness and to the refinement of his or her character. The fundamental techniques and teachings of Sufi spirituality, such as murāqaba (mindfulness), muḥāsaba (self-examination), mujāhada an-nafs (self-discipline), futuwwa (spiritual chivalry), as well as waḥdat al-wujūd (the doctrine of oneness of Being) can be interpreted as effective means for struggling against any kind of religious rigor, extremism, and radicalism, on the one hand, and against nihilism, on the other. Those essential methods and concepts of Sufism not only offer mechanisms for developing deeper self-awareness, self-criticism, and self-mastery, but also lay the foundation for an open-minded, humble, empathic, and inherently tolerant attitude toward others. Against this backdrop, the chapter aims to re-envision Sufism as an authentic Islamic spiritual education, with great potential to promote peace and stability in the context of inner-religious, as well as inter-religious, tensions and conflicts. References include works by Abū Bakr al-Kalābāḏī, Abu lʼQasim al-Qushayrī, Ibn al-Ḥusayn al-Sulāmī, and Abū Khalaf al-Ṭabarī.