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The Elements of Sufism

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At the time this book was published in 1990, Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri was "a writer-philosopher ... (who) was raised in a family of several generations of well-known spiritual leaders in the Holy City of Kerbala, in Iraq. (He) was educated in Europe and America in the field of science an technology... His books and writings make original Islam available to the Western reader with an emphasis on its gnostic teachings."

He wrote in the Introduction, "In this work, we attempt to present an overview of the meaning of Sufism. We describe its origins and practices, and the historical background out of which Sufism, as it is known today, arose in the East and then spread throughout the rest of the world. We also attempt to show that the Sufis are the upholders of the real message of Islam. Sufism only arises when abuse of Islam is rampant. Otherwise, Sufism and real Islam are one and the same."

Here are some additional quotations from the book:

"The reason that the majority of current studies on Sufism are of little use in a practical sense is because of the nature of inner awakening itself, which is the core of Sufism." (Pg. iii)
"The term Sufism ... has become over the ages very popularly used, and often with a wide range of meanings... Whatever its origin, the term Sufism has come to mean those who are interested in inner knowledge, those who are interested in finding a way or practice towards inner awakening and enlightenment." (Pg. 1-2)
"It is important to note that this term (Sufism) was hardly ever used in the first two centuries of Islam. Many critics of the Sufis, or their enemies, remind us that this term was never heard of during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, or of the people who came after him..." (Pg. 2)
"Sufism is an art of beingness through the attainment of divine knowledge. It is not an intellectual exercise for scholarly investigations and postgratuate studies." (Pg. 27)
"How can you evaluate something which you have not experienced? Intellectual discussion about Sufism cannot lead to inner awakening and enlightenment, because Sufism is a feast which can only be consumed." (Pg. 43)
"The outer Islamic Law... is the complete and final law of God revealed to the blessed Prophet Muhammad... Inner development, which is the aim of Sufism, is not possible without exoteric Islam." (Pg. 48)
"So witnessing is the first step towards self-knowledge. As regards self-knowledge, it is said that he who knows himself knows his Lord." (Pg. 69)