A GUIDE TO AUTHENTIC SUFI GROUPS
The following points are
designed to assist sincere seekers in their quest for
authentic Sufi representatives. These days there are many
Sufi organisations. Some are genuine and some are not. It is
too common to hear reports of negative experiences of people
who have been "burned" by dubious groups. The points below
should help seekers avoid such groups.
A sincere devotion to
Allah Almighty, a deep reverence for the Holy Prophet -
peace be upon him - and a love of a life of prayer and
rememberance of God are the main signposts to authentic
groups. These are always more important than claims of
"unbroken chains of transmission" and other claims of
"authority" based on dreams or visions. Don't be too
concerned about claims of "authority". seek groups where the
Sufi life of prayer and brotherly love are tangible and
real. The proof is in the pudding.
Does the Order have a proper
relationship to Islam?
Sufism is the interior perspective of the Islamic
religion. Avoid groups that deny this or that claim that
Sufism is entirely independent of Islam. Avoid
de-Islamicized forms of Sufism. A Sufi Order should have a
strong, healthy connection to (externalist) Islam and be
respectful of the Islamic faith. The people who run the
Order should be pious, sincere Muslims.
Are members of the Order
required to be practising and committed Muslims?
While some Orders will permit non-Muslims into the
introductory levels, properly constituted Orders will insist
that serious long-term members are practising and committed
Muslims. Avoid Orders where this is not so or that are
indifferent to the religious affiliations of members.
Does anyone make money from the
operations of the Order?
While it is proper for an Order to cover its costs a Sufi
Order should not be a profit-making business. Avoid Orders
that operate as business ventures or that require expensive
membership fees or on-going financial contributions from
members.
Does the Sheihk have some other
occupation by which he makes a living?
"Sufi Sheihk" is not a job. Sufism does not have a paid
priesthood. Avoid Orders where the Sheihk is not
successfully established in some other occupation beyond the
Order.
Are the private and family lives
of members respected?
A Sufi Order should not interfere in the private or
family lives of its members. Members shoulds never feel
pressured to change jobs, marry or divorce, move location,
etc. Avoid Orders that do not respect the right of members
to pursue their own private and family life.
Are members free to come and go
from the Order's activities as they please?
The Sufi path should be freely entered. It is arduous and
demanding. Members of an order should be free to drop out at
any time for any reason without having to justify themselves
and without being pestered or pursued. The decision not to
continue participation should always be respected. An Order
should not in any way coerce or pressure members to
participate. Avoid Orders where this is not the case.
Does the Order have a tolerant
and universalist perspective?
Sufism is an esoteric perspective. At an esoteric level
all religions meet. There are many paths. Avoid Orders that
insist that they and they alone are the true path or that
are hostile to religions other than Islam.
Is there a fraternal spirit in
the Order?
A Sufi Order should have a well-developed atmosphere of
fraternal love between members. This Platonic fraternal
nature excludes members using an Order as a dating pool or a
marriage agency. Avoid Orders that do not have a fraternal
atmosphere or that are incestuous.
Is there a proportionate sense
of formality and chivalry?
A Sufi Order should have an appropriate code of behaviour
that is both formal and chivalrous. If the conduct of the
Order is too casual then it is merely a club. Sufism is a
serious spiritual endeavour. Avoid Orders that are too
casual or frivolous.
Is the Order directed
exclusively to spiritual purposes?
An Order should only have one purpose - the spiritual
advancement of its members. They come together for
rememberance of Allah Almighty. Avoid Orders that combine
Sufism with other, more profane purposes whether it is a
sport, learning Turkish music, bellydancing, etc.
Does the Order mix spiritual
forms and systems or employ profane methods and
philosophies?
Sufism is a rich self-contained tradition. Avoid Orders
that try to blend Sufism with other disciplines or spiritual
systems such as yoga, Gurdjieff, pop psychology, gestalt
therapy, American Indian rituals, etc. Seek an Order that is
purely Sufi in its philosophy and methods.
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