A Comparative and Historical Review of the Islamic Concept of Sufism and the Orientalist Theory

اسلامی تصور تصوف اور مستشرقین کے نظریہ سریت کا تقابلی و تاریخی جائزہ

Abstract

Sufism is a precise and established system constructed on the process of thought and action. It demands absolute love towards Almighty Allah and service to humanity. Sufism has a deep influence on the varied populations of the world. The carriers of the Sufism were the Sufis who removed all the possible barriers and obstacles among different sections of people. Their message was unity and love. Every possible effort was made by them to spread the education among the people because education and unity are itself a way towards progress. The people were encouraged and advised by them to adopt different economic activities. Structural changes were brought by the Sufis in the society. There is no other topic to write about besides God, the human being, and the universe. The whole scope of the inquiries and studies revolves around Sufism (Tasawwuf) premises all these three topics. That is why, the rate of writing, reading, and speaking on Sufism (Tasawwuf) has always increased. The present study presents a comparison between the Islamic Sufism and the orientalist’s point of view of Sufism. Contradictions between Western writers view of Sufism and the Islamic concept of Sufism have been discussed in this study. The first reason for these contradictions has been the Orientalist method of inference. Western writers have concluded that at the beginning of those credentials from the Muslim philosophers, writers, scholars, and researchers are indie which is similar to the Western thought and philosophy. Western writers have applied Egyptian and ancient Greek speculations to the Islamic concept of Sufism. This comparison to the Islamic concept of Sufism is not right. This study will be helpful in separating the concept of Sufism that is prevalent in the world religions from the Islamic concept of Sufism