THE TECHNICAL TERMS OF SHARIAT AND TAREEQAT

THE TECHNICAL TERMS OF SHARIAT AND TAREEQAT

The fountain of all Islamic teaching is the Qur’aan and the Sunnat.
The inception of this teaching was in the Majlis (gathering) of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). It was the initial stage of Islam which was present in its headquarters. It had a confined number of adherents, hence all branches of Islamic instruction – Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqh and Tasawwuf – were imparted at one venue, the Madressah of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Separate departments did not exist. However, in this Madrasah of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) there was a permanent group of lovers of Allah and devotees of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) who were at all times engaged in the purification of the nafs, and the reformation of the batin by means of practical education. This group is called Ashab-e-Suffah.

Later when Islam acquired a universal status, the Ulama of the Deen formulated the teachings of Islam into separate departments.
Those who rendered service to the Knowledge of Hadith are called the Muhadditheen; those who undertook the responsibility of Tafseer are called the Mufassireen; those who specialized in Fiqh are called the Fuqaha while those who took custody of the department of Islah Batin (purification of the nafs) became known as the Masha-ikh Sufiya. Hence, not a single one among the great authorities of former times ever divorced the Shariat from Tareeqat. On the contrary they also held Tareeqat in subservience to the Shariat.

Shariat, tareeqat, haqeeqat and ma’rifat
The whole combination of the teachings imposed by Islam is known as the Shariat. Both sets of acts, viz., A’male Zahiri and A’male Batini, are included. In the terminology of the Mutaqaddimeen (the early authorities of the Shariat) the term Fiqh was synonymous with the word Shariat. Thus Imam A’zam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh) defined Fiqh as follows:
“The recognition of that which is beneficial and harmful to the nafs.”

Later, in the terminology of the Muta-akh-khireen (the later authorities of the Shariat) the word Fiqh was used for that branch of Islam which related to A’male Zahiri while the branch whichdealt with A’male Batini became known as Tasawwuf. The ways or methods of acquiring the A’male Batini are called Tareeqat.
The reformation of the A’male Batin brings about spiritual lustre and glitter of the heart to which is revealed, in consequence, certain realities (haqa-iq-e-kauniyah) pertaining to tangible and intangible occurrences especially virtue and vice; as well as certain realities

(Haqa-iq-e-Ilahiyyah) pertaining to Divine Attributes and Acts especially related to affairs between Allah and servants. These revelations (makshufat) are known as Haqeeqat. The process of these revelations (i.e. inkishaf) is called Ma’rifat while the Saint of Inkishaf is known as a Muhaqqiq and Arif.

All the aforementioned relates to the Shariat. The notion that the Shariat and Tareeqat are entities apart – this notion has gained prominence in the public – is totally false and baseless.

Now that the nature and reality of Tasawwuf and Sulook have become clear, it will be understood that:

 Kashf (inspiration and revelation) and karamat
(miracles) are not necessary.
 It does not promise success in the worldly affairs.
 It does not assert that one’s work will be achieved by
means of ta’weez and potions; nor does it claim that one
will be successful in court cases by means of duaa.
 It does not promise increase in one’s earnings nor does it
promise one cure from physical ailments.
 It does not foretell future events.
 It does not contend that the disciple’s (mureed)
reformation will be achieved by the spiritual focussing of
the Shaikh. Extra-normal operation is not necessary to
Tasawwuf.
 It does not contend that the one who trods this Path will
not be afflicted by even the thought of sin nor does it
claim that the mureed will automatically (without effort)
engage in Ibadat.
 It does not promise total self-annihilation so that one is
not aware even of one’s presence.
 It does not promise the experiencing of states of ecstasy
and spiritual effulgence in Thikr and Shaghl (spiritual
exercise) nor does it claim that one will see beautiful
dreams and wonderful visions.

All these are not the aims of Tasawwuf. The purpose is the Pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. This then, should be kept in sight.

SHARIAT AND TASAWWUF