interfaith
Abstract
In Islamic history, one of the most intriguing questions has been the termination of the Suffa
School immediately following the Prophet’s demise. As is well known, the Suffa Companions
were comprised of mostly single young men who did not have anywhere else to go to. They
were provided with shelter and food in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Their sole occupation
was to spend all their time with the Prophet, learning and studying. They became so well
versed in Islam that most of them were sent as teachers and/or governors to new provinces.
The paper claims that today Gülen is seeking to revive the Suffa tradition in two ways. First,
by resembling the first Suffa Companions himself. The four guiding principles traced in the
lives of the Suffa Companions (single, simple, humble and pious) can be found in the daily
life of Gülen. Thus, this paper suggests that Gülen is often mistaken as a Sufi when in fact
he can be considered a member of the Suffa. Secondly, Gülen has been consistently providing
personal tutelage over the last two decades to hundreds of theology graduate students.
Students gain admission to Gülen’s informal school by passing a rigorous exam in Islamic
sciences and Arabic. Thereafter awaits them extensive study and an ascetic lifestyle. Students
can remain as long as they wish, some for even as long as ten years. Gülen has been known
to have had up to 40 students at times, although given his ill-health this number has dropped
to 15 in recent years. In their lifestyle, daily programme and efforts post ‘graduation’ these
students resemble the first Suffa Companions.
For further information:
Abstract
In Islamic history, one of the most intriguing questions has been the termination of the Suffa
School immediately following the Prophet’s demise. As is well known, the Suffa Companions
were comprised of mostly single young men who did not have anywhere else to go to. They
were provided with shelter and food in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Their sole occupation
was to spend all their time with the Prophet, learning and studying. They became so well
versed in Islam that most of them were sent as teachers and/or governors to new provinces.
The paper claims that today Gülen is seeking to revive the Suffa tradition in two ways. First,
by resembling the first Suffa Companions himself. The four guiding principles traced in the
lives of the Suffa Companions (single, simple, humble and pious) can be found in the daily
life of Gülen. Thus, this paper suggests that Gülen is often mistaken as a Sufi when in fact
he can be considered a member of the Suffa. Secondly, Gülen has been consistently providing
personal tutelage over the last two decades to hundreds of theology graduate students.
Students gain admission to Gülen’s informal school by passing a rigorous exam in Islamic
sciences and Arabic. Thereafter awaits them extensive study and an ascetic lifestyle. Students
can remain as long as they wish, some for even as long as ten years. Gülen has been known
to have had up to 40 students at times, although given his ill-health this number has dropped
to 15 in recent years. In their lifestyle, daily programme and efforts post ‘graduation’ these
students resemble the first Suffa Companions.
http://www.guleninstitute.org
In Islamic history, one of the most intriguing questions has been the termination of the Suffa
School immediately following the Prophet’s demise. As is well known, the Suffa Companions
were comprised of mostly single young men who did not have anywhere else to go to. They
were provided with shelter and food in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Their sole occupation
was to spend all their time with the Prophet, learning and studying. They became so well
versed in Islam that most of them were sent as teachers and/or governors to new provinces.
The paper claims that today Gülen is seeking to revive the Suffa tradition in two ways. First,
by resembling the first Suffa Companions himself. The four guiding principles traced in the
lives of the Suffa Companions (single, simple, humble and pious) can be found in the daily
life of Gülen. Thus, this paper suggests that Gülen is often mistaken as a Sufi when in fact
he can be considered a member of the Suffa. Secondly, Gülen has been consistently providing
personal tutelage over the last two decades to hundreds of theology graduate students.
Students gain admission to Gülen’s informal school by passing a rigorous exam in Islamic
sciences and Arabic. Thereafter awaits them extensive study and an ascetic lifestyle. Students
can remain as long as they wish, some for even as long as ten years. Gülen has been known
to have had up to 40 students at times, although given his ill-health this number has dropped
to 15 in recent years. In their lifestyle, daily programme and efforts post ‘graduation’ these
students resemble the first Suffa Companions.
For further information:
Abstract
In Islamic history, one of the most intriguing questions has been the termination of the Suffa
School immediately following the Prophet’s demise. As is well known, the Suffa Companions
were comprised of mostly single young men who did not have anywhere else to go to. They
were provided with shelter and food in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina. Their sole occupation
was to spend all their time with the Prophet, learning and studying. They became so well
versed in Islam that most of them were sent as teachers and/or governors to new provinces.
The paper claims that today Gülen is seeking to revive the Suffa tradition in two ways. First,
by resembling the first Suffa Companions himself. The four guiding principles traced in the
lives of the Suffa Companions (single, simple, humble and pious) can be found in the daily
life of Gülen. Thus, this paper suggests that Gülen is often mistaken as a Sufi when in fact
he can be considered a member of the Suffa. Secondly, Gülen has been consistently providing
personal tutelage over the last two decades to hundreds of theology graduate students.
Students gain admission to Gülen’s informal school by passing a rigorous exam in Islamic
sciences and Arabic. Thereafter awaits them extensive study and an ascetic lifestyle. Students
can remain as long as they wish, some for even as long as ten years. Gülen has been known
to have had up to 40 students at times, although given his ill-health this number has dropped
to 15 in recent years. In their lifestyle, daily programme and efforts post ‘graduation’ these
students resemble the first Suffa Companions.
http://www.guleninstitute.org