Maulana Wahiduddin Khan | Spirituality in Islam
Islamic spiritualism has come to have two schools of thought. One may be called the original Quranic school of thought (see the next section for details), and the other school of thought is commonly known as tasawwuf.
Tasawwuf is a spiritual school based on meditation in Muslim history that has come through Sufi practices. There are several branches and forms of tasawwuf. These varied forms cannot be described in the form of a single principle. However, tasawwuf, is basically another name for two things—the concept of shaikh (spiritual mentor) to guide to the path of spirituality, and muraqabat (specified time of day or night devoted to private worship in addition to the five prescribed prayers), divine contemplation, recitation of different words and phrases repeatedly. But in actual fact, none of these two practices are a part of Islam. They are later-day innovations (bid‘a) in religion, none of which existed during the times of the Prophet and his Companions.
Although, the reference point of tasawwuf is the Quran, but a number of its practices have been derived from the Vedanta. That is why there are great affinities between tasawwuf and Hindu philosophy. For instance, the term lataif-e-sitta (six points) in tasawwuf has been directly taken from the Hindu system. Probably this was first introduced into the Hindu system, and was then adopted by Muslim Sufis, as they thought it conducive to the attainment of spirituality.
Lataif-e-sitta indicates six points in the human body, which are the centres of spiritual feelings. According to tasawwuf, if these points are fully concentrated upon for a certain period of time, they become activated and, as a result, the entire human personality begins to receive spiritual sustenance. These practices, as well as other such practices are said to suppress the material proclivities of one’s personality and awaken its spiritual aspects.
Tasawwuf is an innovation (bid‘a) in Islam. The original Quranic concept of spiritualism, according to which the spiritual quest is a means for the creature – the receiver – to make contact with his Creator – the Giver, is the true Islamic school of spiritual thought.