What is Sufism?

Answer

A movement within Islam, Sufism represents the mystical aspect of Islam. This may be one reason why traditional Muslims have distanced themselves from Sufis. Sufism emphasizes expressing love and devotion to God. Due to the belief that material possessions obstruct one’s devotion, Sufis are often seen as ascetics. While rooted in Islamic teachings, Sufism conveys that attaining harmony with God involves spiritual poverty, love, devotion, and the selfless remembrance of God (often through chanting).

Jesus (referred to as Isa by Muslims) proclaimed that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind “and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”, (Mark 12:30). However, by prioritizing money, status, possessions, self, and sinful desires over God, we have all fallen short in loving Him. We have disregarded God’s directives and offended His holiness, deserving eternal separation from God in hell (Romans 6:23;2 Thessalonians 1:9).

Fortunately, the Lord Jesus loved God perfectly. He sacrificed Himself on the cross to redeem believing sinners, enabling them to love God wholeheartedly. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25).

Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the solution for Sufis. While Sufism cannot establish a loving relationship with God, Jesus can! As disciples of Jesus, genuine Christians can love God and others.

RS: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:7-11).