■ The Importance of Gaining Knowledge Before Pursuing Sufism:
If someone desires to learn about Sufism, the first thing they must do is gain knowledge of Shariyah. Sufism is not separate from religious knowledge; it is a part of it. However, Sufism is not always formally taught in the traditional curriculum, like our Dars-e-Nizami system. Sometimes, people are advised to read specific books, but they don’t study them systematically. In the past, Dars-e-Nizami took around 15 to 16 years to complete, but nowadays, it may take only 6 years, or even less in some places. Sometimes, a certificate is awarded without thorough study, and this has caused people to lose interest.
Some people may study privately, reading religious books on their own, and by doing so, they acquire significant knowledge. Similarly, reading the books of Sufism is crucial; without it, one remains incomplete. This is my personal experience, whether one is a scholar or a Mufti, if they haven’t studied Sufi texts, there will be a noticeable difference in their understanding compared to someone who has.
Books like Minhaj al-Abidin (The Way of the Worshipper) and Ihya Ulum al-Din by Imam Ghazali are important. These books were originally written in Persian and later translated into Arabic. Unfortunately, today’s generation may not feel the urge to read such books in their entirety, but in the past, people had an immense passion for reading. Back then, they didn’t have the conveniences we have today, like computers and word processing, but their zeal for learning was unmatched.
Today, distractions like social media and harmful images are weakening our ability to focus and remember. Poor memory can also result from imbalances like excessive phlegm, which is often caused by consuming sour foods. In some cultures, sour dishes are commonly used, and people consume them without realizing the effects they can have on memory. Phlegm weakens memory, and this leads to illnesses like colds and coughs, making it harder for people to concentrate.
Therefore, studying Sufism and the essential texts like Minhaj al-Abidin and others by Imam Ghazali is crucial. If you haven’t read them yet, I highly recommend that you start, even with the shorter versions or summaries. If you don’t know where to begin or what the books are, take the time to search for them.
May Allah ﷻ bless us with the strength to pursue knowledge and understand the way of our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
● FJ 24.12.24
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 