TAWHĪD ACCORDING TO SUFIS: THE ONENESS OF GOD IN SUFISM

Description

Sufism, often described as “the spiritual dimension of Islam”, is a way of life centred on cultivating noble character and attaining states that draw the servant closer to his/her Lord. As the foundation of Islam, tawhīd (Oneness of God) occupies a central position in Sufi thought and practice. Sufis have engaged in extensive discourse on tawhīd, guided by the Qur’an and the Sunna of the Prophet Muḥammad (PBUH).

However, certain Sufis have faced criticism, with their understanding of tawhīd questioned and even accusations of disbelief levelled against them. This has often arisen from misunderstandings surrounding the Sufi concept of fanāʾ (spiritual annihilation), the misinterpretation of their metaphorical language, and the decontextualisation of their statements from their broader teachings and lives.

This book presents a selection of sayings that illuminate various aspects of tawhīd within Sufism. They demonstrate that Sufis perceive human cognition as inherently limited in comprehending the Divine Being and stress that true glorification of Allah requires acknowledging this limitation and accepting divine self-disclosure without excessive rationalisation.