History of sufism

The meaning of the term Sufi:

Sufism (tasawwuf) is the name given to mysticism in Islam. The term Sufism embraces the philosophy and practices which aim at direct communion between God and man, and those who practice Sufism are called Sufis.

Scholars differ as to the derivation of the term Sufi, for it is not mentioned in the Qur’an or the books of hadith, nor does it figure in the standard Arab dictionaries that were compiled as late as the 8th century A.D. According to Qushayri (d. 465/1074), author of al Risala, the word Sufi was used as a

generic term to describe individuals adopting a particular religious attitude based on austerity and spirituality, and came into usage only at the beginning of the 9th century. This he explains simply: ‘After the Prophet Muhammad, sahabi (companion) was the only title given to the Muslims of that period.

This was the highest title for them, and they therefore required no other title for their piety and religiosity. The next generation that received religious education directly from the sahaba was called tabiin (followers of the companions), while the title taba tabiin (followers of the followers of the

companions) was the title given to those who had received religious training from the tabiin.’ According to Khaliq Ahmad Nizami1 , those who devoted their lives to religious studies and religious devotion after the times of the tabii were called zahid – ‘the pious’ - and abid – ‘the servant (of Allah)’. 

It is only in relation to the succeeding generations that one comes across the term Sufi. According to Abdur Rahman Jami2 , who quotes earlier sources, the first spiritualist to be given the title of Sufi was Shaykh Abu Hashim Kufi Let us examine the etymological meaning and origin of the term Sufi. It is made up of three Arabic letters: s- w- f, but there is much scholarly dispute surrounding it. One view is that the word Sufi is derived from the Arabic word saf, which means line or row, referring here to those early Muslim contemporaries of the Prophet who stood in the first row during prayer, having reached the mosque well in time. Others contend that the word is derived from the word suffa, the verandah or porch of the Prophet’s mosque in Madinah.

The traditions say that a number of the companions of the Prophet who had no home stayed in this verandah. They spent their time in worship, in learning by heart the verses of the Qur’an and memorizing the words of the Prophet. They disengaged themselves from worldly activities. The Prophet and his companions looked after their needs.

Since the porch of the mosque had virtually become their home, they came to be called Ashaab-i Suffa or ‘People of the Porch’. However, the majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the word Sufi comes from the word suf, or wool. This is because most of the early pious people were inclined to asceticism and wore undyed, coarse woolen garments. The rough cloth symbolized voluntary poverty and renunciation of the world with all its pleasures. See beginning of Sufism