☰ Contents · History of world religions

Sufism and Sufi orders

Lessons 12 · 1 lessons · Z. Islomov, D. Rahimjonov, J. Najmiddinov. History of world religions, Grade 10, 1st edition. Yangiyo‘l Poligraf Servis, Tashkent, 2017
12

Sufism and Sufi orders

Textbook: pp. 72–76
GoalExplain the concepts of Sufism and tariqa and describe the Yasawiyya, Kubrawiyya and Naqshbandiyya orders that took shape in Central Asia.
New words
Sufism (tasawwuf) · tasavvuftariqa, Sufi order (“path”) · tariqatspiritual guide (murshid, pir) · murshid (pir)dhikr (remembrance of God) · zikr
Explanation

Sufism is the inward, spiritual dimension of Islam; its aim is to train the self, refine character and strive for spiritual maturity. There are several explanations of the origin of the word “tasawwuf”; according to one well-known explanation it derives from the Arabic “suf” (wool), because the early Sufis wore woollen garments. “Tariqa” means “path”; in Sufism it is a method of spiritual purification worked out under the guidance of a murshid (pir) on the basis of the Qur’an, hadith and the example of the Companions, and also the fellowship of those who follow that path. Dhikr (remembrance of God) and suhbat (spiritual companionship) have an important place in Sufism. Three major orders took shape in Central Asia: the Yasawiyya (12th century; founder Khoja Ahmad Yasawi, d. c. 1166, author of the “Divan-i Hikmat”, whose mausoleum in Turkistan was built in the time of Amir Temur), the Kubrawiyya (Najmuddin Kubra, 1145–1221, Khwarezm; he is said to have died defending Urgench during the Mongol invasion of 1221) and the Naqshbandiyya (Bahauddin Naqshband, 1318–1389, near Bukhara). One motto of the Naqshbandiyya is “dil ba yar, dast ba kar” (the heart with God, the hand at work): it does not reject having a family and earning a living by honest labour. In the Naqshbandiyya dhikr is mainly performed silently, and the main method of training is suhbat. The history of Sufism and the orders is studied academically; attitudes towards them vary, some scholars valuing Sufism as spiritual heritage and others viewing it critically.

Worked examples
Khoja Ahmad Yasawi wrote the “Divan-i Hikmat” in verse in Turkic; it speaks of morality, honesty and spiritual purification. It is also an important source for the history of Turkic literature and culture.
The Naqshbandi principle “heart with God, hand at work” shows that historically this order valued honest occupations and not complete withdrawal from the world. Bahauddin Naqshband’s nickname is often explained by the craft of pattern-making (weaving).
Class activity

Orders table: Yasawiyya, Kubrawiyya, Naqshbandiyya – founder, century, region, one feature. Complete it in pairs in 4 minutes and check from memory.

Practice
1
What does the word “tariqa” mean and in what sense is it used in Sufism?
2
Name the three major orders formed in Central Asia and their founders.
3
What does the motto “dil ba yar, dast ba kar” mean?
4
Why is the idea that the Naqshbandiyya means “complete withdrawal from the world” considered inaccurate?