What Did Sufi Influence?

was much later that Sufi teachings and practices were formally [laid] down in writing for future generations.

1.3 Formative Years

The formative years of Sufism were between 620 to 1100 AD. It was during this time the Sufi masters, known in Arabic as "Shaikhs," started to form the first Sufi fraternities. These early fraternities, and indeed some individual Sufis, met with great hostility and resistance from certain sections of the Muslim community; on points of interpretation of Islamic Theology and Law. Some early Sufis were even persecuted on account of their mystical utterances and beliefs. The most famous Sufi-martyr was AL HALLAJ of Basra in Iraq.

Nevertheless, individual Sufis achieved great eminence because of their piety and practices.

Hakim Nizari Quhistani was one of the first Persian poets to use Sufi influence in his writing. His beliefs as he wrote poetry were somewhere along the lines of, “there is no closer way to God than spiritual impoverishment (iftiqdr) before Him, Spiritual poverty (faqr), [which is]of course another term for Sufism itself” (Lewisohn 238). Another Persian poet, who is mostly recognized in the West, is Jalaluddin Muhammad Rumi (or simply Rumi). He is given the nickname “Sufi Master” for his poems. Looking at Rumi’s one can see that he “creates a lively and multicolored world where readers of different cultures and beliefs can take refuge in and satisfy their spiritual needs at the same time” (Mannani 163). However, his poetry isn’t limited to just religion or spirituality; many folks have taken on a reader-response approach to his poetry and were able to apply them to many other aspects of life, therefore keeping Rumi’s name out

With reference to Sufism, the sound saying which complies with the laws of the Religion is that Sufism is the methodology implemented by the true Sufis and is very much a part of the Religion. True Sufis are people who realize the importance of the Obligatory Knowledge of the Religion and endeavor to acquire it through proper channels, i.e., through trustworthy and knowledgeable teachers. They acquire the knowledge, then implement it and encourage others to do the same. Sufis are a people who follow the great Messenger, Muhammad, in a full manner by following his teachings and his example. They weigh things by the scale of the Religion. They do not deem lawful that which Allah ordained as unlawful, and they do not deem unlawful that which Allah ordained as lawful. They judge ugly what the laws of the Religion judge ugly, and they judge good what the laws of the Religion judge good. They do not indulge their appetites, and do so willingly. They go against the desires of their selves. They are a people who keep busy worshipping their Lord, fighting laziness and ignorance. They may work in the matters of this life, yet they do not have an interest in worldly acquisitions because the world has departed their