Tariqah refers to the Sufi order or spiritual regimen of a specific teacher or master, encompassing devotional practices, recitations, and literature of piety.
Explore the study of ʿIlm al-Taṣawwuf, its etymology, and its profound significance in Islamic mysticism (Sufism). Understand the nature of ʿIlm al-Taṣawwuf, its historical development, and its role in the spiritual life of Muslims.
Ahmad al-Qushashi: Sufi mystic and scholar influential in therology and mystical interpretations of hadith.
Explore the concept of Al-Ilhāmu ʾr-Rabbānī in Islamic theology, including its definitions, implications, and significance. Learn about the etymology, cultural context, and how it shapes the spiritual lives of Muslims.
Discover the historical and theological dimensions of Al-Kīmiyāʾ (الكيمياء) in Islamic tradition and its significance ranging from classical alchemy to Sufi mysticism.
Discover the meaning and significance of the term 'AZ̤-Z̤ILLU ʾL-AUWAL' in Sufism. Understand its relation to al-ʿAqlu ʾl-Auwal and its importance in Islamic mysticism.
Explore the life and contributions of ʿAbdu ʾl-Qādir al-Jīlānī, the celebrated founder of the Qādirīyah order of Sufism, known also as Pīr-Dastagīr. Learn about his legacy and burial in Baghdad.
Malian offshoot of the Tijani Sufi brotherhood known for advocating social reform, equality, and challenging established religious elites.
Explore the concept of saints (awliya) in Islam, their cultural significance, various types within Islamic traditions, and the impact of shrines on local practices.
An influential Indian Sufi whose ideas shaped the Mujaddidi phase of the Naqshbandi order, promoting orthodoxy and integration of Sufi ideas within Sunni Islam.
Understand the term 'Takiyah,' its historical context, and its multifaceted role in Islamic tradition. Discover how it has served as a place of repose, a religious house, and a hostel for pilgrims across various Muslim countries.
Indian Islamic scholar and author known for his influential work and role in advocating Islamic values among less-educated Muslims.
Explore the meaning of 'KAHRUBĀ,' its etymology, significance in Sufi terminology, and its metaphorical use in describing spiritual phenomena.
Explore the term 'Malang,' its origins, characteristics, and role within Islamic mysticism. Learn about the followers of Jaman Juti and their distinct cultural and spiritual practices.
Discover the concept of 'Waḥdatu ʾl-Wujūd,' its philosophical implications in Islamic mysticism, particularly within Sufism. Understand the theological debates surrounding this term and its impact on Islamic thought.
Moroccan-born Sufi founder of the Ahmadi Sufi order, influential in Egypt and known for miracles and anti-Crusader efforts.
Learn about the term 'Hawājis,' its meaning, and its importance in Sufi mysticism. Discover how Hawājis are perceived and addressed in the Sufi spiritual journey.
Explore the term 'KĀMIL' in the Islamic context, its deep significance in mysticism, and the concept of Al-Insānu ʾl-Kāmil or 'the perfect man.' Understand how it impacts Islamic thought and practice.
Explore the origins of Sikhism, its foundational principles, and its complex relationship with Hinduism and Islam, as elucidated through historical texts and modern scholarship.
Explore the concept of 'The Perfect Man' in Sūfī spiritualism, as discussed by the late Professor E. H. Palmer. Understand the qualities, roles, and teachings associated with this ideal in Sufism.
Learn about the term 'ʿĀlam,' its diverse meanings and significance across different Islamic contexts including both visible and invisible worlds, as well as its Sufi connotations.
Explore the term 'ʿURS' and its dual significance in Islamic culture, including marriage festivities and the ceremonies observed on the anniversary of the death of celebrated saints. Learn about its etymology, usage, and cultural importance in the Islamic world.
Explore the concept of Al-Aʿyānu ʾs̤-S̤ābitah in Sufi mysticism, its etymology, theological implications, and significance. Understand how it relates to the names of God and the essence of things within Islamic thought.
A profound involuntary spiritual state in Sufism where one feels the divine presence directly.
Understand the concept of 'Faqr,' its etymological roots, and how it shapes the life of a Faqir or ascetic in Islamic tradition. Explore its spiritual and philosophical implications.
Explore the term 'Fatq' (فتق), its implications, and usage within the context of Islamic mysticism (Sufism). Understand how the concept addresses the interplay between the eternity of matter and its development in creation.
Stages in Sufism and a system of pitch organization in traditional Arabic music
A guardian in Sufi orders responsible for ritual liturgy and directing music
Explore the concept of Renunciation in Islamic philosophy, its two main types, and its profound significance in the spiritual journey of a Muslim. Understand how renunciation impacts both internal and external dimensions of faith.
Explore the meaning, origins, and significance of the term 'ḤAQQU ʾL-YAQĪN' in Islamic mysticism. Understand its implications for the Ṣūfī mystics and how it reflects the seeker’s relationship with the divine essence.
A Sufi order and its various branches established by the followers and descendants of Ahmad ibn Idris.
Explore the term 'Khirqah,' its meanings, historical and spiritual significance in Islamic Sufi tradition, and its role in the life of ascetics and darveshes.
An exploration of the intellectual and spiritual journey in Islam, the nature of the human spirit, and the stages toward attaining spiritual enlightenment as articulated by Islamic scholars and Sufi mystics.
Discover the multifaceted term 'Al-Qiyāmah,' its etymology, significance in Islamic belief, Sufism, and its place in the Qur'an as the title of Surah 75.
Explore the concept of ANĀNĪYAH in Islamic thought, particularly within Sufism. Understand its roots, implications, and how it relates to egotism and the notion of self.
A notable figure in 'intoxicated' Sufism from Bistam, known for his ecstatic utterances.
Explore the term 'Fanāʾ (فناء),' its meaning, implications, and its role in the Sufi path towards spiritual enlightenment. Understand the stages of Fanāʾ and how it culminates in the ultimate union with the Divine.
Understand the term 'Faqīr,' its historical and spiritual significance, different classifications, and the rich traditions associated with this important concept in Islamic mysticism.
Explore the term 'Hawājim,' its etymology, and significance in Sufism. Understand the concept of unsolicited thoughts and their impact on the mystical journey of Sufi practitioners.
Explore the mystical term 'K͟HARĀBĀT,' commonly interpreted as a wine-shop or tavern yet rich in symbolic meanings within Islamic mysticism. Understand its use in literature and spiritual contexts, especially within Sufi traditions.
Explore the term 'Majẕūb,' its etymology, and its significance in Sufism. Understand the characteristics of a Majẕūb and the unique spiritual journey they undertake.
Explore the concept of Muḥādas̤ah in Sufism, its implications, and historical occurrences as described in Islamic texts. Understand the meaning of divine communication through outward means in the context of Muḥādas̤ah.
Explore the term 'Qutb,' its etymology, implications in Islamic mysticism, and its significance as the highest stage of sanctity among Muslim saints.
Explore the term 'Rūḥ,' its occurrences in the Qur'an, interpretations, and its significance in Islamic theology and philosophy.
Explore the concept of Taṣawwuf, its doctrines, and its significance in the Islamic mystical tradition. Learn about the origins, practices, and contributions of Taṣawwuf to Islamic spiritual life.
Explore the concept of Ẕikr (ذكر) in Islam, its significance in spiritual practice, methods of recitation, and its role in the lives of Muslims. Understand the different forms of Ẕikr and the underlying philosophy.
Zuhd refers to the Islamic practice of asceticism, characterized by the rejection of material comforts to foster personal contemplation, meditation, piety, and renunciation.
Explore the concept of 'ʿIlm al-Bāṭin,' its mystical implications in Islamic tradition, and its connection with Taṣawwuf (Sufism). Understand how this internal science affects the spiritual pursuits of Muslims.
Explore the concept of 'ʿIshq,' its etymology, and its profound meaning in Islamic mysticism and theology. Understand the distinction between 'ʿIshq' and 'ḥubb,' the types of love in Islamic thought, and its importance in the spiritual journey.
Explore the term 'ʿUzlah,' its meanings, and its role in the spiritual practice of Sufism. Delve into how this form of 'retirement' contributes to a Sufi’s religious and contemplative life.
Explore the profound Sufi concept of 'AL-KANZU ʾL-MAK͟HFĪ,' its implications, and its significance in Islamic mysticism. Understand how this term captures the essence and personality of God according to Sufi thought.
Explore the concept of 'Dargāh' in Islamic context, its etymological roots, cultural significance, and its role as an object of pilgrimage and adoration in India.
Explore the term 'HU, HUWA (هو)' in the Islamic context, its implications, and usage among Sufi mystics. Understand the nuances behind this personal pronoun referring to God, and its occurrence in the Qur'an.
Explore the term 'INZIʿĀJ (انزعاج),' its implications, and usage in Sufi mysticism. Understand how this concept relates to the movement and excitement of the heart towards God.
An overview of the presence and history of Islam in Tanzania, including demographic information, religious spread, and socio-political context.
Explore the Ṣūfī term 'Jamʿu ʾl-Jamʿ,' which signifies the elevated spiritual state of the Perfect Man or al-Insānu ʾl-Kāmil. Understand its etymology and significance within Islamic mysticism.
Explore the term 'Jaẕbah' and its profound implications in the context of Sufi mysticism. Understand how this concept expresses the yearning for the Divine and the approach of man to his Maker through divine grace.
Explore the term 'LĀHŪT' and its multifaceted meanings in Islamic thought, particularly within Sufism. Understand its nuanced implications in mysticism, theology, and the concept of divinity.
Explore the Naqshbandīyah, an influential Sufi order, its origins, practices, and its impact on Islamic spirituality. Understand the significance of the Ẕikr-i-K͟hafī, the silent religious devotion, within this Sufi tradition.
Explore the term 'Bait al-Hikmah,' its historical context, and its significance in Islamic intellectual traditions. Understand its role in the development of Islamic sciences and how it is perceived in Ṣūfīsm.
Explore the term 'Bī-Sharʿ,' its implications, and its significance in Islamic mysticism. Understand who are referred to as Bī-Sharʿ and their stance toward the teachings of the Qur’an.
One of the most popular Sufi brotherhoods of South Asia founded by Muin al-Din Chishti, known for its emphasis on poverty, musical culture, and deep spiritual relationships.
Explore the significance of the girdle (Nit̤āq) in various Islamic orders, particularly among the Bakhtāshī and other Sufi orders. Understand its historical and symbolic importance through religious and cultural contexts.
Explore the multi-faceted term 'Ḥarf' in Islamic context, encompassing its linguistic, grammatical, dialectal, and mystical dimensions.
Explore the Sufi notion of devotion, detailing the three essential aids necessary for a spiritual journey: Attraction (injiẕāb), Devotion (ʿibādah), and Elevation (ʿurūj). Understand the stages of spiritual development as conceptualized in Sufism.
Explore the term 'ḤIFZ̤U ʾL-ʿAHD (حفظ العهد),' its etymological roots, usage among Sufi mystics, and its significance in Islamic spiritual practices.
Explore the concept of 'Himmah' in Islamic tradition, its importance in Sufi mysticism, and its role in fostering spiritual growth and determination.
Gathering or all-comprehensiveness; a stage of spiritual development in Sufism
Explore the term 'K͟HĀT̤IR,' its etymology, and multifaceted significance in Islamic mysticism. Understand the different kinds of K͟hāt̤ir and their implications as described by mystic teachers.
Explore the concept of 'Khilwah,' its etymology, and its profound significance in Islamic Sufism. Know how the practice of seclusion serves as a spiritual tool for worship and meditation among Sufis.
Explore the concept of 'Murshid' in Islam, its origins, and its role as a spiritual guide in religious orders. Understand the Sufi tradition and the significance of a Murshid in guiding spiritual development.
The concept of the Muhammadan Light in Sufi and Shii metaphysics
Understand the term 'Pīr' in the context of Sufism, its etymological roots, and its significance as a religious leadership role. Explore the importance of pīrs within Islamic spiritual practice.
Learn about the term 'Qalandar,' its implications, and its significance in Islamic traditions. Understand the role of Qalandars, their way of life, and their impact on Sufi traditions in Islam.
Explore the term 'T̤ARĪQAH,' its etymology, and its profound significance within the context of Sufism. Understand 'T̤ARĪQAH' as a spiritual path pursued by Sufis, its rituals, practices, and overall impact on the religious life of its adherents.
Explore the term 'Al-Insān al-Kāmil,' its profound implications in Islamic mysticism, and its usage by Ṣūfī scholars. Understand the concept through classical texts and its relevance in Sufi thought.
North African Sufi reformer and spiritual leader
13th-century Sufi saint and poet, key figure of the Chishti order in medieval India
Explore the meaning, origins, and spiritual significance of the term 'Ḥulūl' in Sufism. Understand its implications on the concept of divine presence within the human soul.
Multifaceted term in Islamic thought denoting protector, master, or spiritual patron.
Explore the Qādirīyah Sufi order, its origins, teachings, and impact on Sunni Islam in Asia. Learn about its founder and spiritual practices.
Shadhili Tariqah, one of the four oldest Sufi orders in the Muslim world, founded by Abu al-Hasan Ali al-Shadhili in the twelfth century.
Explore the term 'Tāj,' its etymology, historical and cultural context in Islam, and its specific usage in Sufism to denote the cap worn by leaders of religious orders.
Explore the concept of 'Waṣl' in Sufism, its etymological roots, and its profound implications in the spiritual journey of a mystic. Understand how this term is positioned within the stages of Sufi mystical experience.
Explore the term 'YĀ HŪ (يا هو),' its etymological roots, and its significance in Islamic spirituality and practices like ẕikr. Understand its usage and meaning within Islamic mysticism.
Explore the term 'Ghurāb' in Islamic context, particularly its mystical connotations in Sufism with reference to a state of separation from God.
Explore the term 'Irādah,' its meaning, implications, and usage in the Islamic context. Understand how it represents human intention or will, and its significance in Sufi mysticism as the will of God and the longing to be united with Him.
Explore the term 'Goshah-Nishīn,' its implications, and its usage in Islamic and Persian culture. Understand the life and practice of a Goshah-Nishīn, focusing on contemplation and devotion.
Explore the profound concept of Ḥikmah in Islamic thought. Learn about its significance, types, and how it shapes the understanding and practice of mysticism within Sufism.
Discover the cultural and religious importance of the KULĀH, particularly among Muḥammadan faqīrs and darweshes. Understand its etymology, varying uses, and symbolic significance.
Explore the term 'Mufarriḥu ’l-Aḥzān,' its etymology, and how it underscores the Islamic spirit of resignation and counsel in times of affliction. Understand the theological underpinnings and significance of this Sufi concept.
Explore the term 'QĀBA QAUSAIN,' its meaning, etymology, and significance in Islamic theology and mysticism. Understand its usage in the Qurʾān and how it is perceived by scholars and Sufi writers.
Explore the term 'AL-KAUS̤AR,' its meanings, implications, and significance in Islamic theology. Understand references in the Qur'an, scholarly interpretations, and the Hadith literature pertaining to Al-Kaus̤ar.
Explore the concept of Fīrāsah, its etymology, and its significance in Islamic mysticism and theology. Understand the role of physiognomy and spiritual insight in the study of Fīrāsah.
Explore the Ṣūfī term 'Z̤ILLU ʾLLĀH,' its etymological roots, and its spiritual significance. Understand the concept of Insānu ʾl-Kāmil or the 'perfect man' in Ṣūfī tradition.
Explore ‘ʿIlmu ʾl-Asmāʾ’, the knowledge of the names, titles, or attributes of God in Islamic thought. Understand its significance in Islamic theology, Sufism, and devotional practices.
Early Sufi shaykh regarded as the founder of several tariqahs and a master of ‘sober’ Sufism.
