A Wisdom Archive on Sufi Mysticism

بايزيد بسطامى or Bayazid Bastami, also known as Abu Yazid Bistami, (777-874CE) was a Sufi born in Bostam (alternate spelling: Bastam), Iran. The name Bastami means "from the city of Bastam". Bayazid Bastami had great influence on Sufi mysticism and is considered to be one of the important early teachers of Sufi Islam. Bastmi's predecessor Dhu al-Nun (d. CE 859) had formulated the doctrine of ma'rifa (gnosis), presenting a system which helped the murid (initiate) and the shaykh (guide) to ... Including:

• Bayazid Bastami - Sayings

Read more here: » Bayazid Bastami: Encyclopedia - Bayazid Bastami

Junayd ibn Muhammad Abu al-Qasim al-Khazzaz al-Baghdadi (830-910) was one of the great early mystics, or Sufis, of Islam. He laid the groundwork for sober mysticism in contrast to that of God-intoxicated Sufis like al-Hallaj , Bayazid Bastami and Abusaeid Abolkheir.In the process of trial of al-Hallaj, his former disciple, Caliph of the time demanded his fatwa and he issued this fatwa: "From the outward appearance he is to die and we judge according to the outward appearance and God knows bet ...

Read more here: » Junayd Baghdadi: Encyclopedia - Junayd Baghdadi

Yunus Emre was a 13th century Turkish poet and mystic, who had an immense influence on Turkish literature. He was the leading representative of mysticism in Anatolia. Under the influence of Mongol onslaught in the 13th century, the Islamic mystic (sufi) literature reached to its zenith and Yunus Emre became one of the most distinguished poets by his simple and pure style and his ability to easily describe even the most difficult mystic concepts in a few simple sentences. He is still a popular figure in a group of countries loca ... Including:

• Yunus Emre - External link

Read more here: » Yunus Emre: Encyclopedia - Yunus Emre

Ahmed Yesevi (also spelled Ahmad Yasawi), born in Sayram (now in Kazakhstan), died 1166, Yasi, Turkestan, poet and Sufi (Muslim mystic), an early mystic who exerted a powerful influence on the development of mystical orders throughout the Turkish-speaking world. Very little is known about his life, but legends indicate that his father died when the boy was young and his family moved to Yasi. He made the city into the major centre of learning for the Kazakh steppes, then retired to a life of contemplation aged 63. He dug himself an un ...

Read more here: » Ahmed Yesevi: Encyclopedia - Ahmed Yesevi

Farid ad-Din Attar (Persian:فریدالدین عطار; ca. 1142 – ca. 1220) was born in Neishapour, in the Iranian province of Khorasan, and died in the same city. Some scholars believe he was killed during the raid and destruction of his city by the Mongol invaders. His tomb is in Neishapour. Attar is one of the most famous mystic poets of Iran. His works were the inspiration of Rumi and many other mystic poets. Attar, along with Sanaie were two of the greatest influences on Rumi in his Sufi views. Rumi has mentione ... Including:

• Attar - References used

Read more here: » Attar: Encyclopedia - Attar

A number of scholars perceive influences on Sufism from pre-Islamic and non-Islamic sources and schools of mysticism and philosophy. Some of these new perspectives originate from the synthesis of Persian civilization with Islam [1], an emphasis on spiritual aspects of Islam as a reaction against the prevailing impersonal, formal and hypocritical practice of religion [2], and possibly the incorporation of ideas and practices from other mystic systems such as Gnosticism and Hinduism into Islam. The evidence in support of non-Islamic influences ...

Read more here: » Sufism: Encyclopedia II - Sufism - Influences

The state of ‘’baqâ’’ ( permanency), is life with God, through God, in God, for God. It is the summit of the mystical manazil ( Abodes ) . Here there are three degrees, each one referring to a particular aspect of the divine theophanies as principle of existence and its qualitative evolution: faith - knowledge - grace. Baqaa - Aspects. Baqaa - First aspect: The level of acts. The first aspect of the Sufi permanency is situated at the level of acts. The action of the Suf ... Including:

• Baqaa - Aspects
• Baqaa - First aspect: The level of acts
• Baqaa - Second aspect: The level of qualities and attributes
• Baqaa - Third aspect: The level of the essence
• Baqaa - Resource

Read more here: » Baqaa: Encyclopedia - Baqaa

Futuwa was also a name of ethical urban organizations in 10th century Anatolia, in modern Turkey. Members were united through the practices of Sufi worship and a form of common property. Historical origin of futuwa groups is obscure. They were ideologically connected to Sufi mystics who used to refer to futuwa as a moral direction. Through membership in a futuwa group, artisans and crafters were linked to other social groups and vice versa. This served as a social connection that stabilized the local community and balanced the ...

Read more here: » Futuwa: Encyclopedia II - Futuwa - Social groups

In the spritual tradition of Islam, a Wali , or Waliullah/WaliAllah is a friend of God. Usually these people are members of Sufi (mystic) communities who are considered to have a special relationship with Allah. Famous Walis include Ali, son-in-law of Muhammed; Fatima, daughter of the prophet. About Wali i.e. Wilayat, the Quran has said: إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ اللّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ الَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ الصّ� ...

Read more here: » Wali: Encyclopedia II - Wali - Religion

Kabir (कबीर) (1440 - 1518) (also known as Kabira) was an Indian mystic who preached an ideal of seeing all of humanity as one. He was known to be a weaver and later became famed for scorning religious affiliation, seen as a threat to the elite. His philosophies and ideas of loving devotion to God are expressed in metaphor and language from both the Hindu Vedanta and Bhakti streams and Muslim Sufi ideals. Kabir is also considered one of the early northern India Sants. He was initiated by Ramananda ^Including:

• Kabir - Philosophies
• Kabir - Religious affinity

Read more here: » Kabir: Encyclopedia - Kabir