Exam Review: Introduction to Islam and Muslim Civilization Notation Five – Major Branches in Islam Popular Religion SUFISM: THE MYSTIC PATH OF LOVE AND KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/sects/sufi.htm) "…mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God." The core principles of Sufism are tawakkul (absolute trust in God) and tawhid (the truth that there is no deity but God). Reacting to the disdain and dismay to the worldly seductions of imperial Islam, they were motivated by a desire to return to what they regarded as the purity and simplicity of the Prophet’s time and driven by a deep devotional love of God… At the heart of Sufism is the belief that one’s self must die, that is, one must undergo obliteration (fana) of the lower, ego-centered self to abide or rest in God. The most extraordinary powers were attributed to Muhammad (SAW), given his closeness to God. These wonders were extended to Sufi saints, the friends of God. Sufi practices have their foundation in purity of life, strict obedience to Islamic law and imitation of the Prophet…Sufis hope to purify the self from all selfishness, thus attaining ikhlas, absolute purity of intention and act…fasting is considered one of the most important preparations for the spiritual life. The Sufi way of life is called a tariqah, "path." The path begins with repentance and submission to a guide (sheikh or pir). If accepted by the guide, the seeker becomes a disciple (murid) and is given instructions for meditation. This usually includes sexual abstinence, fasting and poverty. The ulimate goal of the Sufi path is to fight the true Holy War against the lower self, which is often represented as a black dog. SHII RELIGIOUS PRACTICES For Shii, intercession (between a person and God) is an integral part of the divine plan of salvation. The central figures are the 14 pure or perfect ones [Prophet (SAW), Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Husayn, the remaining nine imams]. - They serve as charismatic, infallible, divinely inspired leaders of the community as well as models of suffering and sacrifice in the face of tyranny and oppression. Participants experience profound grief, pain, and sorrow in emotional ceremonies marked by lamentation, breast beating, weeping, and flagellation as the tragedy and heroism of Husayn are relived. Sunni Islam from Oxford Islamic Studies Online (Esposito) CORE BELIEFS They reject the claim of Shi'i Muslims that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib, his son-inlaw and cousin, as his successor and that only Ali's descendants have the legitimate right to lead the Islamic community. Sunnis assert that th e Prophet did not name a successor.
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