StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Importance of Sufism and Attractiveness of Mysticism - Assignment Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "The Importance of Sufism and Attractiveness of Mysticism" discusses the shaykh as the most infallible among his admirers and disciples, has the ability to gain dangerous political influence and authority for those in the rural areas who are illiterate are very reliant on the saint…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.4% of users find it useful
The Importance of Sufism and Attractiveness of Mysticism
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Importance of Sufism and Attractiveness of Mysticism"

Islam Explain the importance of Sufism. Why is mysticism attractive? Sufism shaped a large part of Islam. Orthodox Muslims disagree with various aspects of Sufism, such as the visiting of tombs, saint worship, adaptation of un-Islamic and non-Islamic customs, belief in miracles, musical performances, as well as monastic Islamic interpretation. The importance that Sufism gives to the master figure is also accused of negative results. The shaykh, viewed as most infallible among his admirers and disciples, has the ability to gain dangerous political influence and authority, especially for those in the rural areas who are illiterate who are very reliant on the saint. Other masters have also taken on social inequality, whereas sometimes putting their own lives on the line in their attempts to change political and social conditions for spiritual revival and improved living conditions. Sufism’s missionary activities have led to an increased number of their faithful. It is impossible to overstate the importance the spiritual education, as well as inculcation of such virtues as veneration of the prophet, faith in the love of God, piety, and trust in God. Sufism’s dhikr formulas are still preservative of their quieting and consoling power that it has on the illiterate. Persian literature and literature that influenced Persian literature is permeated by mysticism. This literature has aided millions by being a source of happiness. However, several modernists have argued against this literature because of its narcotic-like influence on the thoughts of Muslims. However, modern life and the effects of industrialization have caused a constant decline in Sufism’s influence in many states. People who attempt to show that mysticism and modern science conform have preserved the order’s spiritual heritage. This is because mysticism is central to the beliefs of the order. 2. Explain in detail the five pillars of Islam The five pillars of Islam are the most important Islamic pillars. These are five obligations that all Muslims are required to satisfy so as to live a responsible and good Islamic life. The first pillar is “Shahadah”, which is a basic statement that states that there is no God, but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger. This statement is the basic one in Islam with those who cannot recite the statement wholeheartedly considered as non-Muslims. Muslims who recite this statement proclaim that they will obey all Islamic commitments in their life; Allah is the only God, and Muhammad is his prophet; and that they accept the statement to be true. The second pillar of Islam is “Salat”, which are the obligatory prayers said by Muslims five times a day. Allah ordered that Muslims pray every day at five set times. These are; Salat al-fair, which is at dawn, Salat al-zhur, which is at midday, Salat al-‘asr, which is just before the sun sets, Salat-al-maghrib, which is said just following sunset, and Salat al-‘isha, which is said between midnight and sunset. Every Muslim tries to abide by the set times with even children encouraged to pray. The third pillar of Islam, Zakat, refers to the compulsory giving to charity of a particular proportion of a person’s wealth. Muslims as a form of self-purification and worship regard Zakat. It is not referent to charitable gifts from Muslims given out of generosity or even kindness; however, it refers to systematic offering of 2.5% of a Muslim person’s wealth every year for the benefit of poor people. Sawm is the fourth pillar of Islam with a requirement for all Muslims to fast on Ramadan. During the entire period of Ramadan, every adult Muslim is required to give up various things, including sexual activity, smoking of any kind, as well as food and drink. The fifth and final pillar of Islam is Hajj. Once every year, there is a gathering in Mecca of diverse groups of Muslims praising Allah together in front of the Kaaba. It is meant for the promotion of sisterhood and brotherhood among Muslims to show that they are all equal before Allah, particularly by stripping away all markers of pride, wealth, and social status. 3. Contrast contemporary Sunni and Shiite Muslims The split between Sunnis and Shiites can be traced to Muhammad’s death and the period after it. It centered on the person who would succeed Muhammad to be the Caliph. Abu Bakr, a close friend of the prophet, was chosen to become Caliph. Those who accepted are referred to as Sunni, and they take a more traditional form of Islam. However, there were those who, instead, chose to follow the prophet’s son-in-law, as Caliph and they are referred to as the Shia. There are various other differences between the two groups. Majority of Muslims in the world today are Sunni with Shiites only comprising of 10-20%. The Shiites are the majority in only two countries, namely Iran and Iraq. Another difference is in religious leadership with Shiites believing that God; who ensures that they are politically powerful with cross-border authority directly chooses Imams. On the other hand, Sunni leaders are not accorded any special authority or power. Instead, they take on localized teaching roles. Another difference is in modern day practices. The two sects are summoned to daily prayer by different calls, whereas also practicing some rituals differently. There are also differences in Hadith that they accept with Shiites only accepting those that can be attributed to the prophet’s immediate family. Sunnis, on the other hand, validate all Hadith. Shiites also submit to physical pain in sympathy to martyred Imams and combine the five prayers in Salat into three or four. Sunnis, however, disagree with the two practices. Shiites also allow for temporary marriages for men, which was abolished for Sunnis. Finally, the two sects also have political and cultural divisions. As Islam spread across the world, some countries embraced the sects to become a national identity, for example, Iran has a Shiite identity, whereas Saudi Arabia has a Sunni identity. These have caused political tensions externally and internally due to oppression of the other sect. 4. What is the difference between the Quran and the Hadith? What is the contention about Hadith? The biggest difference between Hadith and the Qur’an has to do with divine intervention. While the Qur’an is understood as God’s direct words recited by Muhammad’s believers to early Muslim communities, the Hadith are collections of admonitions, sayings, and stories of Muhammad collected following his death. The latter is understood to possess no more power than the prophet’s authority. There are also differences in style between the Hadith and the Qur’an. While the Qur’an speaks as God directly and is in rhythmic verse in high Arabic style, the Hadith is written in formulaic and easy Arabic marked by such set phrases as “it was acceptable” and “it was good”. In the Qur’an, according to the traditions of Islam, the community knew when a new prophecy was about to be given to Muhammad as he would be seized, in the night, to write new verses. The contention about the Hadith is that it is difficult to establish if all narrators on the narrative chain were infallible. Allah never tested their infallibility, and they were humans whose actions were liable to limitations from nature on the ability on humans. It is not established if these narrators were messengers of God or prophets, whether they received divine decrees, or whether the narrators in the narrative chain met in their lifetime. For this reason, it is contentious to accept the Hadith unconditionally. 5. Pick one ritual listed under "Practices" in the web site. Describe it and explain why it is important Ramadan is the month during which Muslims fast when it is daylight. It is the ninth month of their calendar, and there are several reasons why Muslims consider it important. The Qur’an was revealed for the first time in this month while the gates of heaven were also opened on this month. This month also involved the closing of hell’s gates and the chaining of the devil in hell. This month is also referred to as the month of the Qur’an and Muslims recite the Qur’an as often as they can in the month of Ramadan. Muslims believe that any good actions done in the month of Ramadan will be greatly rewarded than those done at other times of the year since Allah blessed this month. Muslims are also of the belief that one will find it easier to do good during the month of Ramadan because the devil is chained in hell. In addition, all Muslims attempt to leave their bad habits behind in this month through reading the Qur’an and praying more. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Islam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1483092-islam
(Islam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words)
https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1483092-islam.
“Islam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/religion-and-theology/1483092-islam.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Importance of Sufism and Attractiveness of Mysticism

South Asian Sufism

Sufism highlights the importance of “Real”, as distinctive from a faint acceptance of what is considered to be real in everyday existence, by authentic comprehension of the self and the 'veils' which separate it from any understanding of the truth.... Despite the fact that Sufism has been majorly identified as the spiritual and mystic extension of Islam, parts of literary research argues about the existence of sufism as a political entity.... Despite of the cultural relevance of sufism, over the period of time, differences have also arisen from divergence of interests among Muslims over what should be the right standard for cultural and political life....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

Importance of Sufism

The paper "importance of sufism " highlights that muslims are required to fast in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (BBC, 2009).... sufism is a mystical movement in the Islamic world.... sufism searches for the direct mystical knowledge of divine love and knowledge.... sufism has an important role in the formation of Muslim societies through educating the masses and channeling their emotions....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Sufism: The Whirling Dervish and the Divine

The following paper will examine the nature of sufism and the way in which the practice of the Whirling Dervish provides a solemn, yet celebratory experience in which the initiate is able to transcend themselves and commune with God.... Tariqa Qadiriyya Boutchichiyya (2003) discusses the nature of sufism and how it developed.... The definition of mysticism in religion is that it is a 'private, unmediated, and ineffable yet universally present in all human religiosity' set of experiences that are part of the unexplainable and incomprehensible parts of religion that create the mystery on which most religion is based....
12 Pages (3000 words) Term Paper

The Origins of Sufi Islam

rigin of sufism ... sceticism and Remembrance to Allah 'Dhikr' used to be the specific affection for Sufis in the initial phase of sufism, and this was the initiation of innovated performs to support the spiritual exercises.... However, during the primary stage earlier to the association with innovated customs and controlled commands, intellectuals alarmed the general public about the intense nature of sufism.... This provision was an absolute focus in terms of combination linking mysticism of Islam with pagans for creating the type of sufism presented by Ibn-e-Arabi....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Critical Analysis of Mysticism and Its Belief

The paper "Critical Analysis of mysticism and Its Belief" highlights that the Kabbalist tradition sees God as both immanent and transcendent.... In Jewish mysticism, the concept of 'Tzimtzum' contains a built-in paradox, as it requires that God be transcendent and immanent at the same time....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Mysticism in a Womans World

The paper "Mysticism in a Woman's World" tells that in Christianity, records of mysticism are important because they would become a basis of a Christian's enduring faith.... The etymology of mysticism can be traced from its Greek roots which literally mean 'to conceal.... The nature of mysticism is constant with that of spirituality and provides a 'revolt against cold formality and religious torpor' (Woods 20).... Themes of mysticism are often associated with the presence of the Supreme Being felt by the senses....
9 Pages (2250 words) Essay

Contemporary Challenges Facing Sufis In Egypt

ufism is a virtuous movement that involves mysticism and spirituality in Islam.... The paper "Contemporary Challenges Facing Sufis In Egypt" describes what sufism is the mystical and spiritual Islam branch.... sufism had been central in Egypt in the 14th century.... However, during the 20thn century, sufism began to experience some challenges.... The challenges included criticism from the Salafis, the emergence of Muslim Brotherhood and the attempt to replace sufism with Arab nationalism and Socialism by the Nasser regime....
16 Pages (4000 words) Dissertation

Sufism: The Whirling Dervish and the Divine

This literature review "Sufism: The Whirling Dervish and the Divine" discusses the nature of sufism and the way in which the practice of the Whirling Dervish provides a solemn, yet celebratory experience in which the initiate is able to transcend themselves and commune with God.... ariqa Qadiriyya Boutchichiyya (2003) discusses the nature of sufism and how it developed.... The definition of mysticism in religion is that it is a 'private, unmediated, and ineffable yet universally present in all human religiosity' set of experiences that are part of the unexplainable and incomprehensible parts of religion that create the mystery on which most religion is based....
12 Pages (3000 words) Literature review
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us