Shaykh of Sufism
Encyclopedia
A Shaykh (Arabic: شيخ shaykh; ; pl. شيوخ shuyūkh), of Sufism is a Sufi who is authorized to teach, initiate and guide aspiring dervish
es. The shaykh is vital to the path of the novice sufi, for the shaykh has himself travelled the path of mysticism. Viewed as the spiritual master, the shaykh, forms a formal allegiance (bay'a) to the disciple of Sufism and authorizes the disciple's travels and helps the disciple along the mystical path. Islamic tradition focuses on the importance of chains and legitimization. In Sufism, shaykhs are connected by a continuous spiritual chain (isnad, sanad, silsila
). This chain links every previous Sufi shaykh, and eventually can be traced back to the Successors, and in later times to the Prophet himself. As Sufism grew, influential shayks began to acquire spiritual centers and waypoints known as khanqah
, ribat
, and zaouia
. shaykhs duplicate the Prophetic realities, and are also expected to perform and act as a intermediary between the Creator and the created, since the shaykh has arrived close to God through his meditations and spiritual travels. There are several types of such shaykh
, "The hand of Allah
is with the group (jama'ah)."
, who has been granted idhn (permission and authorisation) by God(Allah), to lead the followers of the path of Sufism to knowledge of Allah. This idhn is not to be confused with ijazah
(authorisation) granted by a Shaykh or a scholar to a student to teach. Even if all of the scholars and shaykhs granted their ijazah to a student, he would still not be a Shaykh of Instruction until he had the idhn of Allah and Muhammad
. This is manifest in his tawfiq or 'success' in inculcating the perfections of Islam, iman
and ihsan
in his disciples [point 8, below].
and Sunnah
in these circles, the students would learn proper decorum and etiquette. From this the Sufi shaykhs would establish a set or rituals and practices that would perpetuate the culture of Sufi learning, based upon the Sunnah
. Having personal contact with a shaykh allows both Sufis and the ulama
to stimulate a culture of religious learning. The legitimacy of the shaykh is based on the unbroken chain of authors or other shaykhs. The shorter the chain the more authoritative the person becomes. Teaching-shaykhs provided their disciples with religious instruction as well as theology. During this time student travelled and interacted with different teacher-shaykhs. Sufi shaykhs flourished throughout the Islamic world more than any other type of personal authority because their mediatory skills were required for the smooth functioning of an agrarian-nomadic economy with a decentralized form of government.
). Directing-shaykhs core characteristic was set within the Sufi context of training others to approach God more closely and intimately. Overall the experience of learning the mystical path of Sufism underneath the guise of the directing-shaykh was much more intense than that of the teacher-shaykh.
The customary position with the people of Sufism, particularly in the Shadhili and the Darqawi tariqah, is that a person will not be a shaykh without having had a background in the basic disciplines of the Qur'an
and Sunna
. This is the position of Imam
Junayd
. However, in unusual circumstances there have been exceptions to this rule, among them the famous wali, Abd al-Aziz ad-Dabbagh http://www.bogvaerker.dk/ibriz.html of Fez, and in the Darqawi tariqah, the Shaykh Sidi al-'Arabi ibn al-Huwari from whom Shaykh Muhammad ibn al-Habib took the tariqah, and most famously Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawi
, a master of Sufism whom all accept without reservation.
Dervish
A Dervish or Darvesh is someone treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path or "Tariqah", known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars in Christianity or Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhus.-Etymology:The Persian word darvīsh is of ancient origin and descends from a Proto-Iranian...
es. The shaykh is vital to the path of the novice sufi, for the shaykh has himself travelled the path of mysticism. Viewed as the spiritual master, the shaykh, forms a formal allegiance (bay'a) to the disciple of Sufism and authorizes the disciple's travels and helps the disciple along the mystical path. Islamic tradition focuses on the importance of chains and legitimization. In Sufism, shaykhs are connected by a continuous spiritual chain (isnad, sanad, silsila
Silsila
Silsila is a 1981 Bollywood film directed by Yash Chopra. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and Rekha, with Shashi Kapoor in a special appearance.-Plot:...
). This chain links every previous Sufi shaykh, and eventually can be traced back to the Successors, and in later times to the Prophet himself. As Sufism grew, influential shayks began to acquire spiritual centers and waypoints known as khanqah
Khanqah
A Khanqah, Khaniqah , ribat, zawiya, or tekke is a building designed specifically for gatherings of a Sufi brotherhood, or tariqa, and is a place for spiritual retreat and character reformation...
, ribat
Ribat
A ribat is an Arabic term for a small fortification as built along a frontier during the first years of the Muslim conquest of North Africa to house military volunteers, called the murabitun...
, and zaouia
Zaouia
A zaouia or zawiya is an Islamic religious school or monastery. The term is Maghrebi and West African, roughly corresponding to the Eastern term madrassa...
. shaykhs duplicate the Prophetic realities, and are also expected to perform and act as a intermediary between the Creator and the created, since the shaykh has arrived close to God through his meditations and spiritual travels. There are several types of such shaykh
A Shaykh of barakah (blessing)
This can, for example, be someone who inherits leadership of a group of Sufis, who although he does no t have the spiritual standing of a genuine Shaykh of Tarbiyah (Instruction) nevertheless has a blessing in that by holding to him his followers have unity and community, as is in the Noble HadithHadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
, "The hand of Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
is with the group (jama'ah)."
A Shaykh of Ahwal (states)
This is a shaykh who has genuine tasting of the states of Sufism and can transmit them.A Shaykh of Tarbiyah (instruction)
This is properly the correct usage of the term Shaykh according to the Sufis. This is the realised gnostic ('arif) of AllahAllah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
, who has been granted idhn (permission and authorisation) by God(Allah), to lead the followers of the path of Sufism to knowledge of Allah. This idhn is not to be confused with ijazah
Ijazah
An ijazah is a certificate used primarily by Sunni Muslims to indicate that one has been authorized by a higher authority to transmit a certain subject or text of Islamic knowledge...
(authorisation) granted by a Shaykh or a scholar to a student to teach. Even if all of the scholars and shaykhs granted their ijazah to a student, he would still not be a Shaykh of Instruction until he had the idhn of Allah and Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
. This is manifest in his tawfiq or 'success' in inculcating the perfections of Islam, iman
Iman (concept)
Iman is an Arabic term which denotes certitude or adherence to an idea. In Islamic theology, it refers to the inner aspect of the religion, and denotes a believer's faith in the metaphysical realities of Islam. The term Iman has been delineated in both the Quran as well as the famous Hadith of...
and ihsan
Ihsan
Ihsan , also spelled as Ehsan, is an Arabic term meaning "perfection" or "excellence . It is a matter of taking one's inner faith and showing it in both deed and action, a sense of social responsibility borne from religious convictions...
in his disciples [point 8, below].
The Teaching-Shaykh
The shaykh of Sufism derives authority and social standing from his sacred knowledge. Students would be taught this knowledge in inner religious circles located in private homes and in mosques, hoping to create an atmosphere of refined religious thought that would safeguard the transmission of religious knowledge. By studying the HadithHadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
and Sunnah
Sunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
in these circles, the students would learn proper decorum and etiquette. From this the Sufi shaykhs would establish a set or rituals and practices that would perpetuate the culture of Sufi learning, based upon the Sunnah
Sunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
. Having personal contact with a shaykh allows both Sufis and the ulama
Ulama
-In Islam:* Ulema, also transliterated "ulama", a community of legal scholars of Islam and its laws . See:**Nahdlatul Ulama **Darul-uloom Nadwatul Ulama **Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal**Jamiat ul-Ulama -Other:...
to stimulate a culture of religious learning. The legitimacy of the shaykh is based on the unbroken chain of authors or other shaykhs. The shorter the chain the more authoritative the person becomes. Teaching-shaykhs provided their disciples with religious instruction as well as theology. During this time student travelled and interacted with different teacher-shaykhs. Sufi shaykhs flourished throughout the Islamic world more than any other type of personal authority because their mediatory skills were required for the smooth functioning of an agrarian-nomadic economy with a decentralized form of government.
The Directing-Shaykh
With the advent of institutionalized Sufism in the ninth century came the changed relationship between disciple and shaykh. This came at a time in the Islamic world when other institutions were spreading to an ever far-reaching Islamic world, and were facing a collapsing caliphal empire. The shaykh became a more authoritative figure, and become synonymous with prophetic traits as well as a totally functional leader. The shaykh took on a new role as a permanent and known teacher, not a teaching-guide to a group of disciples. The shaykh had permanent residence in a lodge and surrounded himself with his students. The disciples would live with the shaykh and would follow the shaykhs rules and prescribed behaviors. The lodge became an integral part of the Muslim community, as it maintained land holdings and also supported economic activities in cities. The directing-shaykh became an authority for those seeking training and a strengthening of their moral and intellectual character. The shift from teaching-shaykh to directing-shaykh brought about an unprecedented focus on decorum (adabAdab (behavior)
Adab, in the context of behavior, refers to prescribed Islamic etiquette: "refinement, good manners, morals, decorum, decency, humaneness". While interpretation of the scope and particulars of Adab may vary among different cultures, common among these interpretations is regard for personal standing...
). Directing-shaykhs core characteristic was set within the Sufi context of training others to approach God more closely and intimately. Overall the experience of learning the mystical path of Sufism underneath the guise of the directing-shaykh was much more intense than that of the teacher-shaykh.
Khirka
The importance of lineage in Sufism is exhibited by one such example as the Khirka. Khirka literally meaning, "Rough cloak, scapular, coarse gown". The cloak acts as an initiation process in Sufism in which the shaykh puts his khirka on the disciple, or known as "Investiture with the Cloak". This acts as the manifestation of blessings being transmitted from shaykh to disciple. The act is reminiscent of when the Prophet Muhammad placed a cloak over Ali. This process solidifies the shaykh-disciple relationship and creates an allegiance. After this process the disciple is able to join the Sufi order and continue studying underneath the shaykh.Silsila
Silsila is used in Sufism to describe the continuous spiritual chain that links Sufi orders and shaykhs in a lineage relating back to the Prophet Muhammad and his Companions.Necessary qualifications of a Shaykh
The basic requirements for a person to be a Sufi Shaykh are as follows.- Being a Sunni Muslim with valid tenants of faith ('aqida)
- Being a scholar ('alimAlim-Given name:* Amat Al Alim Alsoswa, Yemeni politician* Alim Ashirov, Soviet footballer* AFM Alim Chowdhury, Bangladeshi physician*Aleem Dar , Pakistani cricketer* Alim Karkayev, Russian footballer* Mohammed Alim Khan, last emir of the Manghit dynasty...
) of Sacred Law capable of answering most questions about what Allah expects of him and his students without having to ask someone else. - Having a verifiably public authorization from a spiritual guide to be a spiritual guide, connecting him through a chain of transmission (silsilaSilsilaSilsila is a 1981 Bollywood film directed by Yash Chopra. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Sanjeev Kumar and Rekha, with Shashi Kapoor in a special appearance.-Plot:...
) without a single break back to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace). - Being suitable to take as an exemplar in the religion, not disobedient or wicked in his personal life.
- Knowing the fundamental terms of SufismSufismSufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
such as fanaaFanaaFanaa can refer to:* Fanaa , a part of Sufi philosophy* Fanaa , a film directed by Kunal Kohli* "Fanaa" , a popular song from the movie Yuva...
' (annihilation), baqaaBaqaaBaqaa, with literal meaning of permanency, is a term in Sufi philosophy which describes a particular state of life with God, through God, in God, and for God. It is the summit of the mystical manazil, that is, the destination or the abode...
' (subsistence), marifaMarifaMarifa , which literally means knowledge, is the term used by Sufi Muslims to describe mystical intuitive knowledge of spiritual truth reached through ecstatic experiences, rather than revealed or rationally acquired. M...
(gnosis), and the rest, by having actually tread the path under a shaykh and understood them at first hand. - Exalting the commands of AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
in word and deed, and knowing that it is above every human being. - Having permission from AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
and MuhammadMuhammadMuhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
- beyond the authorization given to him by his shaykh - manifest in his tawfiq or 'success' in inculcating the perfections of Islam, iman and ihsan in his disciples. - Finding a disciple capable of taking his teaching and absorbing his secret from him; that is, being the shaykh that AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
has destined for that disciple. - Not being self-satisfied, or veiled from his own neediness to the Allah by his disciples' need for him.
The customary position with the people of Sufism, particularly in the Shadhili and the Darqawi tariqah, is that a person will not be a shaykh without having had a background in the basic disciplines of the Qur'an
Qur'an
The Quran , also transliterated Qur'an, Koran, Alcoran, Qur’ān, Coran, Kuran, and al-Qur’ān, is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God . It is regarded widely as the finest piece of literature in the Arabic language...
and Sunna
Sunnah
The word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
. This is the position of Imam
Imam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
Junayd
Junayd
Junayd is a male given name which means soldier or warrior.-Given name:*Mohammed Junaid Babar, Pakistani-American terrorist*Junayd Baghdadi, a 9th-century Sufi*Junaid Ismail Dockrat, South African Dentist...
. However, in unusual circumstances there have been exceptions to this rule, among them the famous wali, Abd al-Aziz ad-Dabbagh http://www.bogvaerker.dk/ibriz.html of Fez, and in the Darqawi tariqah, the Shaykh Sidi al-'Arabi ibn al-Huwari from whom Shaykh Muhammad ibn al-Habib took the tariqah, and most famously Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawi
Ahmad al-Alawi
Ahmad al-Alawi , , was the founder of a popular modern Sufi order, the Darqawiyya Alawiyya, a branch of the Shadhiliyya.-Biography:...
, a master of Sufism whom all accept without reservation.
The Conditions of a Disciple (related)
- Having a valid aim in taking the path, meaning AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
alone and nothing besides. - Being genuine, meaning convinced of the secret between one's shaykh and AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
, and willing to submit, and listen, and follow. - Having good manners, noble character, and respect for others.
- Having praiseworthy states such as patience, silence, reliance on AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
, nonattachment to material things, and lack of curiosity about what does not concern one. - Giving selfless service, whether convenient or inconvenient, to AllahAllahAllah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
, the sunnahSunnahThe word literally means a clear, well trodden, busy and plain surfaced road. In the discussion of the sources of religion, Sunnah denotes the practice of Prophet Muhammad that he taught and practically instituted as a teacher of the sharī‘ah and the best exemplar...
, the tariqa, and to one's fellow man. - Venerating the Allah and MuhammadMuhammadMuhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, its religion, its friends (awliya'), and everything else it is said to have exalted. - Having high spiritual resolve.
- Unfalteringly carrying out one's decisions, undeterred by the Devil, this world, one's ego, or vain caprice.