Hello everyone,

I'm reaching out to this knowledgeable community with a couple of questions about ma'rifat al-nafs (knowledge of the self) in Sufism. Despite reading multiple books on the subject, I find the descriptions somewhat vague, and I am eager to gain a clearer understanding to aid my spiritual progress.

1. How do I truly get to know myself? I'm looking for practical steps or experiences that have helped others on this journey of self-discovery.
2. What are the spiritual benefits of knowing oneself? Is it primarily about recognizing and addressing our flaws to better ourselves, or are there other aspects to it that are equally important for spiritual growth?

I am very keen on progressing spiritually and believe that understanding ma'rifat al-nafs could be pivotal. I would greatly appreciate your insights, experiences, and any guidance you could offer.

Thank you!

as a person who actually loves sufism and its way of thought , i want to know about the acceptance of "whirling dance" and if it is actually bidah? also sufism is based on mysticsm , how would we know something that cross the line of Bidah?

In my journey so far and in what I've learned and observed tells me that to be a sufi is to be a good Muslim according to sheriya and Quran and to purify your nafs. Which is the exact form of sufism that attracted me and attracts many people towards this form of Islam every day.

But lately I've been seeing so many posts especially in this sub about people talking about jinns and angels and the interaction with these beings and about black magic, which according to my knowledge has absolutely nothing to do with becoming a sufi, purification of nafs and being a good muslim.

To me this seems like a misconception just like the misconception that becoming sufi means to quit living like a normal person and wear strange clothes and live in a forest.

I know that as Muslims we believe in these things and in other makhlooks created by Allah SWT, but why do people associate sufism with these things? Yes awliya have some miracles and some have even powers to interact with such beings but still do people really believe that it's so easy to come across supernatural beings and have out of body experiences?

It honestly don't make sense and frustrates me.

So I want my fellow sufis to share their opinions about this.

Excerpt from Ibrahim Dewla’s speeches and notes.

In one narration:

Abu Kabshah reported: Prophet (saw) said, “Verily, the world only has four categories of people.

(1) There is one to whom Allah has granted wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord in them, upholds family ties, and fulfills the rights of Allah over him. He is in the best position.

(2) There is one to whom Allah has granted knowledge without wealth. He has a sincere intention, and he says: If I had wealth, I would have acted like this person. If that is his intention, he will have the same reward as the other.

(3) There is one to whom Allah has granted wealth without knowledge. He squanders his wealth in ignorance, he does not fear Allah in it, he does not fulfill his duties to his family, and he does not fulfill the rights of Allah over him. He will be in the worst position.

(4) There is one to whom Allah has granted neither wealth nor knowledge, and he says: If I had wealth, I would have acted like this person. If that is his intention, he will have the same sin as the other.”

(Tirmidhi 2325)

The fourth category of people lack both the means and religion, they are bereft on both ends. But their emotions, and aspirations are such that if ‘we were provided wealth we would live like the third category’. They seek a lifestyle on whims, this is where their motivation lies. They are deceived by what is apparent. They are heedless of its consequences and final result.

An example of the third coveting fourth category is the incident with Qarun. 

Given he was wealthy when he would go out, people would covet what Qarun had.

“Would that we had the like of what Qarun has been given! He is a man of great fortune indeed”. (28:79)

People would say if only we had what Qarun had. They considered Qarun fortunate.

But the pious of that time:

“And said to those who were given knowledge…” (28:80)

They said:

“Woe to you, Allah’s reward is much better for him who believes and acts righteously. But this is given to none but those who observe restraint”. (28:80)

They said you are mistaken. Rather Allah’s reward is ultimate fortune. Who will be granted this? Those who were steadfast in righteous actions.

This happens all the time. That people are deceived by what is apparent. They lack the foresight of what this would lead to, and what are its consequences. Per narration, the fourth category covets the third category. Thus, they are both deprived.

I'm currently working on a photography essay focusing on Islamic mysticism. Over the past three years, my project has centered on the Mourides community in Senegal. Recently, I've been contemplating traveling to Bosnia to continue my photo essay. This endeavor is entirely self-funded, with no monetary incentive, and as a Muslim myself, I'm eager to explore the various schools of Islamic thought.

I understand that Bosnia, due to its historical ties with Turkey, has developed its unique strand of Sufism. I would greatly appreciate any advice or guidance on how to connect with the Sufi community there. My aim is to learn and engage respectfully with their traditions and beliefs through photography.

Thank you for any assistance or insights you can provide!

assalamu alaikum! i have a great liking for sufism and one day i hope to find a (the) Sheikh. Sheikh al-Buti's general approach and his speeches move my heart. he'd say something very simple and i'd just sit there teary-eyed in front of my computer with an open YouTube video. so do you know if he was in any tariqah? i'd like to research about their Sheikh?

or maybe you know some Sheikhs who put great emphasis on love and mercy (not in a hippie kind of love or unislamic kind of vibe where everything and anything seen as permissible)?

What if I said that a dead body was pure love? It will never complain; love is the absence of hate and discrimination. He is dead, and therefore more beautiful than anyone alive. You might say he is love itself. For you see, he will not hate, nor kill, nor steal. His body will be abandoned here, and his flesh will feed the beasts and insects. He will be blown about by the wind, and pelted by the rain, and he will not raise a word in complaint.

I dont know what to think about that

Im progressive in my pov

I mean his logic was the because an Iphone was made by an Atheist then when i use the product im supporting the Atheists belief system even tho im a muslim

I think i found a flaw in the logic but and correct me if im wrong but we probably use many things in our day to day life that are made by non muslims and if we live in a non muslim country then we are most likely also using cars built by non muslims or live in houses build by non muslims

I mean the guy was Salafi so im trying to understand his pov because it bothers me

Is he right?

Though Allah is. Why do people say awareness is Allah ?

I’ve been scouring all over the internet to find the Dala’il al-Khayrat from Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi and have called/emailed a bunch of places some being the publisher, print company, book stores, and have been unable to find the book/book yet anywhere. If someone could point me into the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

"Practice embodies the essence of knowledge", in Sufism too. Importance of spiritual teachings embodies in their actions & behaviors. Practice hones any craft to perfection although requires deligent investment. A drop of an ocean that becomes part of your soul is far better than an ocean's presence in sight only. Let that irritant, which suppresses your Nafs & desires enter the Mollusk's shell eventually forming a pearl. Contemplation, Self-Reflection & Practical implementation attains true understanding & growth on the Spiritual part.

Assalamu Alaikum, I couldn’t find one on here so here it is: r/SufiSisterhood
Please volunteer to be a mod if you’d like because I’m not sure how to run one. Looking forward to meeting new people :)

I’d like to make more friends following a similar path and sharing the same values, I haven’t been able to find any online communities for sisters in Sufism and was wondering if there was a group I could join where I could meet more like minded people? Or if you’re a sister on a similar path, please feel free to message me and we can be friends :)

edit: just created a sub! r/SufiSisterhood message me to be a moderator, I have no idea how to run one 😅

So, I must stop reading sufi books/watching teachings on YT? We only had contact by mail twice.

Salam!

I’ve always admired sufism from afar but I’m becoming more and more curious about following a tariqa (particularly Shadhili, Naqshabandi and Baalawi) because, no exaggeration, some of the most poised, eloquent and exquisite Muslims I’ve ever met were following a tariqa.

But the thing is I’m a woman, and I have never heard of a sheikha who leads a group of women on a certain tariqa. So my question is, does such a thing exist? Also I know this is a stretch but does anyone know any well known Sufi women that perhaps have an online presence that I can learn from?

thank you!

Salam everyone, I am a bit confused. I follow the Naqshbandi Tariqa, and I dont believe in all the beliefs within this Tariqa. So I basically only choose to do a few of what is told to us.

Would this be wrong or am I required to follow everything that is within the belief? Please let me know!

Bastami said it, i am 4 years old :D

while he was 74 , but he felt like 4 , telling people can't you see my majesty , iam just a kid .

maybe the beard deceives you , but am just masquerading the custom .

when he went to visit Ibn-Sina it is said that Ibn-Sina knew the state of Bastami but Bastami didn't know it himself :)

He hasn't read as many books on philosophy as Ibn-Sina , he couldn't describe what was happening , but Ibn-Sina knew every detail of it , but knowing about it is not the same as being it .

Muhammed peace be upon him once told Allah that after all of this we still don't know you .

when Shams el din told Jalaludin to choose who had the right statement from the 2 , Jalaludin fell off his horse and went unconscious .

Cause Amongst innocence how can you choose :) ?

Assalamu Aleykum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu, I have a question, from where I know which path is the right path for me? I need some signs from الله , I feel that the last years I was in a constant confusion. I start things and come easily to doubts..

I am very curious Can I be Sufi without joining a specific tariqa Because most of the tariqa and their leaders say a lot of things that are borderline shirk jazakallah kheir

I'm not a sufi, but interested in the teachings. Specifically, I'm looking for books on the 11 principles of Naqshbandi.

I'm not sure if this is a very fundamental and common topic, but if it is, then please suggest some more general book on Sufism that covers this. I mainly want to focus on the purification of the heart and closeness to Allah.

Salam alaykum, next week I'll be visiting Fes in Morocco for three days for the Sufi festival, insha'Allah. Who else is going and which events are you planning to attend?

Im very curious about the conscience and fittra and relation they have one with another in human spiritual substructure.

If there are any knowledgeable / insightful brothers on this topic it would be delight to discuss this.

Maybe we could start with defining both but I believe roughly people here understand the core differences.

AFAIK its that conscience is an ingrained inner intuitive moral guide on good and evil / right and wrong.

And fittra being this humane element that provides a natural inclination/predisposition to do good/the right thing and worship 1 God by doing so.

But since both can potentially be corrupted, damaged, supressed, warped etc I assume that conscience is embodied in fittra and that if fittra is damaged it reflects badly on conscience too etc.

This is just my rough suspicion cause its hard to imagine a person with sound fittra who has broken or corrupted sense of right and wrong and vice versa.

Salam Alaikum, I hear a lot of different things about Sufis and I was just hoping to get some clarification.

The first question I have is what do Sufis say about Hazart Ali as. Do Sufis believe he was the successor after RasulAllah saw, or do they believe abu bakr was?

Also is there such things as "Sunni" Sufis or "Shia" Sufi.

The only reason I'm asking because Ive heard before that a Sufi take Hazart Ali a.s as a spiritual guide.

Also I've heard that some Sufis move their head while doing dhikr, I was just wondering (if this is accurate) what is the significance behind this and when is the root of this practice?

Hope I can get some clarification:)

Thank you Edit: thank you for your insights

How does one become a practicing Sufi? I love music and consuming art. I have recently gotten more into art. I converted and want to follow a Sufi path. Though I know it's not largely accepted. How does one become Sufi?

I'm looking for videos of Sub Continent Sufi Scholars and Sheikhs with english subtitles who speak urdu. It would really help me as I am interested in learning the language as well.

Excerpt from Ibrahim Dewla’s speeches and notes.

Allah wants us to supplicate and ask from Him. Why? Our asking will lead to His pleasure. In narration when a slave raises his arms to supplicate, Allah is too shy to turn them empty-handed. Allah is generous.

Salman Al-Farsi narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: “Indeed, Allah, is conscientious and generous, when a man raises his hands to Him, He feels too shy to return them to him empty and rejected".(Tirmidhi 3556)

Since we lack strong faith and conviction, we don't make supplications. Due to heedlessness, the heart is not attentive in supplications.

(1) Hard heart:

A person earns and eats far more than necessary. Frequently indulging in blessings. What will this lead to? Hearts become hardened.

Aisha (rad) said, "...For when people fill their stomachs, their bodies are fattened, their hearts are hardened, and their desires are uncontrollable".(al Juli Ibn Abi Dunya 22)

Without any effort on faith and good actions, hearts become hardened through indulgences.

(2) Blackheart:

And sins blacken the heart.

Abu Hurairah narrated that: Prophet (saw) said: “Verily, when the slave (of Allah) commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart. When he refrains from it, seeks forgiveness and repents, his heart is polished clean. But if he returns, it increases until it covers his entire heart...”
(Tirmidhi 3334)

 If we are consistent in litanies and worship, our hearts will soften. Then hearts will be drawn towards supplications. Then hearts will find joy in supplications.