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Introduction to Sufi

The age-old mystic philosophy known to-day in the East mainly in the different Sufi Orders, was given to the world by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan as the Sufi Message. A very short outline of the “Sufi Message”, where possible in his own words, my be appropriate here.

Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan explained that Sufism is the ancient School of wisdom from which have sprung many cults of a mystical and philosophical nature such as the ancient School of Egypt. In this same School Abraham received his initiation. Traces of Sufism are to be found in different parts of the world and in all periods of history. To the ancient Greeks this wisdom was known as sophia, form the word “sophos”, meaning wise. But the Arabic word “saf” (pure) could be the origin of the word “sufi” fore there was a time when Sufis were known as “Brothers of Purity”. The Prophet Mohammed called them the “Knights of Purity”. Although Sufism is in reality the essence and spirit of all religions, several Sufi Orders representing the esoteric side of Islam came into existence when this religion was spreading. As the Sufis expounded their free thought in Persia there was much opposition and persecution from the then current religions. So in that part of the world Sufism founds its outlet in poetry and music through such great poets as Hafiz, Rumi, Shams Tabriz, Saadi, Nizami, Attar and others, giving in this way its wisdom to the world.

He explained furthermore that although the Sufism he represented in the West was different in nature and character from Sufi Schools in the East, he use the same name, as both considered wisdom as a means towards the end.  By pointing to wisdom, that same wisdom which is present in the various faiths and beliefs, Sufism makes men rise above the boundaries of creed, race, caste and nation.  It is the discovering of the essential Truth underlying all religions and beliefs which is the aim of the Sufi. In his search for what is behind things as they appear to be, in his search for the cause behind the cause, the Sufi not only comes nearer to that Ultimate Truth at every step he takes, but at the same time he becomes more loving and understanding towards his fellowmen.  It is a harmonious development of the vertical and the horizontal line: of one’s inner being and of the feeling of brotherhood.

Source: "Biography of Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan," Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan, East-West Publications, 1979