Sufism or Tasawwuf is the pursuit of IHSAN, Perfection of Faith.

The Prophet Muhammed, pbuh, described Ihsan as:

"To worship Allah as if you see Him (and if you cant reach that level), know that He is watching you."

Sounds simple dosent it?

To say that you have already reached this level is to prove that you have really not and have really let your EGO talk for you.

One major obstacle to Ihsan is the EGO.

The ego is what the devil whispers to. it is your ego that tells you - I know everything, no one can teach me anything, i am so strong, i am so beautiful, i am the GREATEST.

it is your EGO that makes you PROUD of yourself.

it is said that no man shall enter heaven if he contains even one grain of pride in his heart.

the ego and pride are a mans worst enemy.

the prophet ,pbuh. described the GREATEST JIHAD as the struggle against your-SELF. the struggle against your EGO.

this constant pursuit to defeat your-SELF and ultimatly become closer to Allah, is the central core goal of all true believers in God and the afterlife.

have a good read:

http://www.uksufi.co.uk/

PEACE FAMILY.

THE WISDOM CONTAINED IN THE SCIENCE OF SUFI-ISM IS VERY DEEP AND SHOULD BE PRACTICED BY ALL WHO WISH TO ACHIEVE INNER/OUTER PEACE AND WELL BEING.

Don't think saying "I am God" is proclaiming one's greatness. It is actually total humility. Some one who say's " I am the servant of God" infers two - God and himself - whereas someone who says, "I am God" negates himself. He relinquises his own existence. "I am God" means I don't exist. Everything is God. Only God exists. I am nothing. I am utter emptiness." This is complete humility not arrogance, but people often misunderstand. When someone says he is God's servant, he still sees himself as a doer, albeit in God's service. He is not yet drowned in the ocean of God. When he is, there will be no such thing as "his actions" , only movements in the water.


[align=right]--Jalaluddin Rumi - Sufi Poet[/align]
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[align=left]Read More Here...[/align]

"I usually read and learn about Sunni and Shia Islam.. "

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sufism - the pursuit of IHSAN- purity of faith- IS ISLAM. it is the ULTIMATE goal of a true believer in THIS life.

Sunni derives from the word SUNNAH which means 'example' or 'way'. it relates to the Sunnah of Muhammed,pbuh.

first of all by default, ALL muslims are Sunni, they follow the way of the prophet. They only difference is that Shia muslims dont recognise the first 3 caliphs as rightful, but that is on their soul.

borrowed this from Ingocnito:

There are three important concepts of Islam: Islam, Iman and Ihsan.

1. Ihsan is one of the most important principles of Islam. The Qur’an has more than 66 verses on this subject. Actually the whole Qur’an guides to Ihsan, which means doing everything in an excellent manner and it also means doing the acts of charity and kindness.

2. The best definition of Ihsan comes in a Hadith, in which the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, says: “(Ihsan is) it’s to worship Allah as you are seeing Him and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you.� (Al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 48)

Ihsan includes many things as follows:

1. In prayers and in relation to Allah, feel His presence.

2. In relations to parents, honor them, be thankful to them and do your duties towards them.

3. In relations to other relatives, recognize their rights, be good to them and help them if they need help.

4. In relations to people in society who are weak, needy and poor, be charitable and nice to them.

5. In human relations in general, be good to others. Even those with whom you disagree in matters of faith, present to them the message, but have no aggression towards them:

“But because of their breach of their Covenant, We cursed them, and made their hearts grow hard: they change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the Message that was sent them. You will not cease to find them - barring a few - ever bent on (new) deceits. Pardon them, then, and overlook (their misdeeds): for Allah loves those who are kind.� (Al-Ma’idah: 13)

6. In relations to the whole world including vegetables, animals and even inanimate things, do not waste, do not misuse or abuse and be thankful to Allah.

“Do no mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, but call on Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): for the Mercy of Allah is (always) near to those who do good.� (Al-A`raf: 56)
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah has prescribed that you do everything in an excellent and nice manner.� (Muslim, Hadith No. 3615)

7. Finally, Just do good, because Allah loves those who do good things:

“But do good; for Allah loves those who do good.� (Al-Baqarah: 195)�

Excerpted, with slight modifications, from: http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion.html

Allah Almighty knows best.

Bismillah...

TheStudent wrote: Yes, we are all bound to follow the SUNNAH...but that is not justification to call ourselves SUNNI.

If to be MUSLIM means to submit one's self entirely to do the Will of Allah, and it is the Will of Allah that we follow the Sunnah of the Prophet, then in following the Sunnah we are confirming ourselves as MUSLIM.

Salaam.

107,
you are right, we are Muslim but to become Muslim we must follow the Sunnah of the Prophet, pbuh, correct?