The Sūfī Journey: A Metaphorical Expedition to Divine Union

The Sūfī Journey

Human life is likened to a journey (safar) in Sūfīsm, with the seeker after God compared to a traveller (sālik). The primary objective of this journey is to attain perfect knowledge (maʿrifah) of God, guiding the soul from its state of banishment towards a desired union with the Divine Being.

Etymology and Translations

• Sūfī (Arabic: صوفي): A follower of Sūfīsm.
• safar (Arabic: سفر) – journey.
• sālik (Arabic: سالك) – traveller.
• maʿrifah (Arabic: معرفة) – knowledge.
• nāsūt (Arabic: ناسوت) – humanity.
• malakūt (Arabic: ملكوت) – angelic nature.
• jabrūt (Arabic: جبروت) – power.
• fanāʾ (Arabic: فناء) – extinction into the Deity.
• sharīʿah (Arabic: شريعة) – Islamic Law.
• t̤arīqah (Arabic: طريقة) – pathway of purity.
• ḥaqīqah (Arabic: حقيقة) – truth.
• ẕikr (Arabic: ذكر) – recitations.

Stages of the Journey

The stages (manāzil) of the Sūfī journey vary among Sūfī writers, but a generalized path includes:

1. Nāsūt (Humanity)

   • The disciple follows the Law (sharīʿah) and observes religious rites and customs.

2. Malakūt (Angelic Nature)

   • The pathway of purity (t̤arīqah) is followed.

3. Jabrūt (Possession of Power)

   • Focused on acquiring knowledge (maʿrifah).

4. Fanāʾ (Extinction)

   • Achieving absorption into the Deity, signified by truth (ḥaqīqah).

Aziz ibn Muhammad Nafasi’s Journey

In “al-Maqṣadu ʾl-Aqṣā” translated by Professor Palmer, a more detailed journey is outlined:

1. ʿUbūdīyah (عبودية‎) – Service

   • Starting with serving God as the primary step.

2. ʿIshq (عشق‎) – Love

   • Transitioning into divine love, eliminating worldly desires.

3. Zuhd (زهد‎) – Seclusion

   • Embracing a life of seclusion and contemplation.

4. Mʿarifah (معرفة‎) – Knowledge

   • Engaging in metaphysical investigations about God.

5. Wajd (وجد‎) – Ecstasy

   • Experiencing heightened states of mental excitement and direct divine illumination.

6. Ḥaqīqah (حقيقة‎) – Truth

   • Receiving revelations of God’s true nature.

7. Waṣl (وصل‎) – Union with God

   • Reach union with the Divine.

8. Fanāʾ (فناء‎) – Total Absorption

   • Pursuing self-denial and contemplation until total absorption into Deity, even after death.

Rituals

The journey is often accompanied by various rituals known as ẕikr (ذكر‎), or recitations. These practices involve repetitive invocations and have been documented by several Orientalist scholars.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

1. “Oriental Mysticism” by Professor Edward Henry Palmer
2. “The Sūfīs” by Idries Shah
3. “The Mystics of Islam” by Reynold A. Nicholson
4. “The Essential Rumi” translated by Coleman Barks
5. “The Tawhidic Paradigm” by Osman Bakar

Takeaways and Conclusion

Sūfīsm portrays human life as a spiritual journey towards achieving divine union through various stages of spiritual development. Each stage represents a higher state of spiritual awareness and connection with God. The journey requires adherence to Islamic Law, undertaking pathways of purity, acquiring deep knowledge, and ultimately achieving ecstatic union with the Divine.

By understanding the Sūfī journey, one gains insight into the profound and mystical aspects of Islam that focus on personal spiritual growth, divine love, and unity with the Creator. The outlined stages and accompanying rituals offer a pathway for seekers in their quest for ultimate truth and unity with God.

By delving into these experiences and texts, one can enrich their own spiritual practices and foster a deeper understanding of the inherent relationship between humanity and the Divine in Islamic thought.