Universal Sufism- Inayat Khan

bismelah ar-rahman ar-raheem

Salaam alaikum,

I enter this problem in hope that we are all seeking truth and not just egotistical desires, insha allah we only say what we say for the love of Allah and not his wrath.

Here is my bones about Univeral Sufism. Sufism is to Islam as Kabaalah is too Judaism as Monasticism is to Christianity. I cannot be a monastic Muslim, nor can I be a kabaalite Muslim. Sufism belongs to the refined and defined spiritual practices of Islam and not any other practice. Without Islam you have no sufism tasawwuf, period! It is just a catch word for people to manipulate and use without having any knowledge of the real practice of the heart. This is where my heart breaks. Because of kafirs that use this beautiful word and practice to their own egotistical desires, the true essence of it becomes diluted and then the true seekers of the heart of the Beloved have a harder and harder time finding it.

Abu Ishaq Shami of Chist, may Allah be pleased, integrated aspects of Hindu singing that is how singing was introduced to the practice, although i would be highly suspect about claiming that he said the Sufism is Universal.

The practice of tasawwuf is based purely in the practice of Islam and practically all lineages are traced back to Sayyidina Ali, ra, the son-in-law of Rasul, saaws which ultimately leads to our beloved Rasul and to our pure Beloved, Allah subhana wa ta'ala.

Islam is the one religion/dogma that truly takes into account spirituality, all of it's laws are set to help Muslims to lead spiritual lives. To disconnect the divine from it makes it worthless, I'm sorry to say. The practice of sufism becomes hollow without Islam (body) and Iman (mind/faith). Anyone who thinks that they can practice sufism without Islam cannot truly remember G-d and will continue to practice their big egos! Sufism is about zikr, Islam is about Allah, purely.
Believe me, I have tried to just consider Sufism as the way, but it is only one foot of the way, believe me hopping is not easy and most will fail and will decide to leave it. So many people are looking for meaning. I live by an ashram with a fake guru/swami and I see the hopeful go there in droves and leave in droves after finding mind control, sexual and financial manipulation, and scary forms of meditation. Offering up the most important piece of the puzzle, ihsan, without having discipline that is taught through Islam is fallacy.

If one can't give up their old physical practices of this world, what makes any think they can give up their EGOS so that their spirit can thrive in this world, also? this is key. All who truly practice sufism must believe in Allah, in his messengers, in the Quran, in jinn, in angels, in the day of judgement. period.

Sufism should not be given away or sold, it is earned. Historically, sufism comes from the sahabis who were all enlightened by the pure light of Allah through our beloved Rasul Mohammad, saaws. Practice of Zikr was determined in the QURAN ash-shareef and not in any other.
I could go on and on. Allah is universal, no doubt, but sufism is not. Sufism belongs to Islam and no other. It came from Islamic mystics that trace their lineage to Rasul, saaws, and Sayyidina Ali ra, and not a Hindu, Christian, animist, Jewish mystic, etc. Do not deviate from the straight path. I beg for the sake of Allah subhana wa ta'ala and his most beautiful Nabi Mohammad, saaws.

May Allah guide all on the sirat al-mustaqim.

Enlightenment and Islam

Enlightenment and Islam

People in Modern society equate enlightenment with Buddhism and other Asian philosophies, but often overlook Islam’s road to spiritual enlightenment.

Islam being a way of life that is all encompassing and that is dictated by the sublime and perfect revelation sent to the seal of prophets, Mohammad, sws, is here for us to use to attain perfect spirituality and existence in this dunya (world).

Islam, being the body of the path, is complimentary in every way. Islam gives humanity a guideline of unquestionable and rational rules that propels one in to Iman (faith) and into Ihsan (heart). Without doubt if one builds their path to enlightenment with the well paved road of Islam they will secure in meeting with Ar-Rahman.

The purpose to living is to love Allah, swt, and be in his service, whether through active revolt to the oppressive world around us or to revolt of our egos (an-nafs). Allah, swt said, “Ask those who know if you know not" (Qur'an 16:43) and "And follow the path of him who turns unto Me" (Qur'an 31:15), in regards to seeking assistance in learning how to live in Islam. It goes without saying that in dealing with your nafs (ego) one must turn to someone who can guide them to leave their egos and live with the rouhhe (spirit). Allah, the wise said, "Verily the self ever commands to do evil" (Qur'an 12:53). So do follow someone through Islam, Ihsan, and Iman, if you seek enlightenment and seek Allah, swt.

After learning what the path looks like in this dunya through Islam, it becomes easier to implement the practice of meditation and zikr into one’s life. Ihsan (heart) is where the sincerity of love and worship truly stems from. With practice of ego (an-nafs) reduction through the practice of the heart, the love of Allah, swt, starts to live through you and the world around you. At this point one will be able to taste the sweetness of water, hear the sounds of the creator vibrating through your physical heart, heal oneself and others through dua (supplications) to Allah, and other incredible aspect of self (rouhhe) actualization. This level of devotion, faith, and Islam can happen over night, in an instant or could take years it all depends on ones sincerity. This is the place where the lovers exist. The physical world no longer matters in this stage of spiritual development. One even when physically not making salat and zikr, is living salat and zikr.