Sharia is the Base of Sufism

An Analytical Study

Abstract

All praise belongs to Allah, the Exalted Creator, besides whom we have no protector. He is the One who bestowed upon His saints the finest virtues and elevated their rank to the loftiest degrees of union. Blessings and peace be upon the leader of the spiritual substitutes (abdāl), Muhammad, the guide to the path of righteousness, and upon his family of the purest hearts, and his companions who strove diligently in traversing the path of the Most Generous.

To proceed:

This treatise discusses the importance of the Sharī‘ah in Sufism, its role in the ṭarīqah (spiritual path), and its contribution to the attainment of ḥaqīqah (ultimate spiritual reality). The foundation of the science of Sufism is purification and spiritual excellence (iḥsān), as mentioned in the two noble texts. Allah, the Exalted, says:

“Our Lord! Raise among them a Messenger from themselves who shall recite unto them Your verses, teach them the Book and Wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You are the Mighty, the Wise.”

And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, when Jibrīl عليه السلام asked him about iḥsān:

“That you worship Allah as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, then indeed He sees you.”

Sayyidunā ‘Alī, may Allah ennoble his face, said in his Dīwān:

“Rise with knowledge and seek no substitute for it,
For people are dead, while the people of knowledge are alive.”

What is intended by “knowledge” here is its true essence, and the reality of knowledge is the knowledge of the Truth — سبحانه وتعالى.

There is an English saying: “All roads lead to Rome.” However, the matter is different concerning Allah سبحانه وتعالى, for He is the One Lord, and this is one community, and we are His worshippers. Thus, the only straight and upright path among all paths is Islam — the path which Allah chose for us, perfected for us as our religion, and completed His favor upon us, as Allah تعالى says:

“Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and chosen Islam for you as your religion.”

Therefore, a Muslim — that is, one who traverses the path of peace — must possess three qualities: sincerity, obedience, and steadfastness. Whoever possesses these qualities is truly a Sufi, as sought and emphasized by the majority of the great masters of Sufism.