Universal Sufism

Because of World War Two, there are many war stories that still told today. Noor Inayat Khan was a big help to the Allies. Noor Inayat Khan changed the way women seen in war through her actions in World War II. This is proven throughout her childhood, her involvement with the Allied forces, her accomplishments as a spy, and her capture. Noor Inayat Khan had a rough childhood because she was an Indian princess, had relationship problems, and Noor Inayat Khan was born by Hazrat Inayat Khan and Ameena Begum and became an Indian princess. At an early age of twelve, Noor had fallen in love for the first time with Floris baron van Pallandt, age twenty-two (Khan 17). This relationship had ended because of Noor 's father. Noor’s father hadn’t purposely ended the relationship. He had told Noor not to answer the door because it was what the servant 's job. Floris had noticed this and had thought it meant rejection (Khan 17). Noor’s father had gone to India to make his last pilgrimage. He went to his childhood home. Hazrat had then become ill and died on the morning of February 5th. Hazrat was then buried on the same day. The next day, Noor’s mother had gotten the news, and Noor had the burden of looking after the family at only age 13 (Khan 19). When the war began in 1939 when the Nazi’s invaded Czechoslovakia, Noor feared that France would be invaded as well, and on June 1940, they left their home and moved to England (Khan 35). When Noor came to England, she wanted to help the…

The daily practices of heart prayer and fasting are conducted to achieve Godly anointment. This occurs during the 9th lunar period of the month and spiritual practices are connected in the spiritual way of Islam life. For instance, the Muhammad Mustafa, the Master of Mystics was a deep ascetic in heart and kept night vigil, went for solitary retreat and ate very little in the wilderness (Bruinessen 1). These frequent practices were conducted in the living world through the performance of every…

After reading Edward Said’s Orientalism, I understand why his piece has created such a visible legacy not only at Columbia but across academia. His ideas are revolutionary, striking at the foundations of academic institutions all over the world. As an individual, studying Islam and the Middle East of which my interests include Sufism, Sectarianism, and Fundamentalism, I am the product of orientalism, no doubt. As a member of this new generation of orientalists, however, what exactly is my…

The spread of coffee from its humble beginnings in Yemen to its trade in the rest of Europe is curious. Trade, competition, and the desire for the energetic properties of coffee all fueled the spread of coffee, but what are the most important factors that influenced coffees’ spread to the rest of the world, and ultimately led it to become a global beverage? It was the open, traveling nature of Sufi sects that encouraged the spread of coffee outside of the Sufi dhikr worship meeting and into the…

Since they believed that the divine is everywhere and no sense of” you” as a separate individual remains. This oneness with God was clearly evident in almost all of Al- Hallaj’s poems, especially in his poem “I am He whom I love”, where he said that he and God are two souls blended in one “If thou seest me/thou seest Him/And if thou seest Him/thou seest us both (Badawi 47).In fact, the whole concept of unity lies in these line. Moreover, it’s important to note that in Sufism there’s amusement…

The whirling dervishes are Sufi muslims who represent the fundamental ideals of the Islamic religion of peace, love and tolerance. They participate in a form of dance that often slips them into a “trancelike” state of consciousness with God. This art form of dance involves the devoted dervishes whirling in a counterclockwise direction similar to the direction the sun rotates around the earth. Although this ritual is synonymous with dancing, the whirling dervishes also pray and sing in the…

Words and concepts such as heart (inner essence), human spirit, and mirror are used extensively in both Sufi and Babi-Baha’i writings. In addition, explanation of concepts such as knowledge of God, divine presence, and reflection of divine attribute is also present in the writings of both Al-Ghazali and Bab. However, the interpretation of those concepts by Bab and Al-Ghazali distinguishes Sufism and Babi-Baha’i Faith. Al-Ghazali and Bab have different views towards the human nature and in…

When looking at contemporary literature from a philosophical point of view, one can often find truths that give us a greater understanding and awareness of our surroundings, literature allows us to expand our knowledge in a deeper, more connected way. Similar to this, Cassandra Clare, a poet from Tehran, Iran, once said that “Only the very weak-minded refuse to be influenced by literature and poetry.” In that light, Kaveh Akbar, a poet also from Tehran, shares a similar philosophy on literature…

Akbar is able to cope with high stress situations and overcome any obstacle in a ideally peaceful mannerism. The preset conditions set by Jodhaa regarding the marriage were, that she is able to keep her hindu faith and continue to practice her faith and religion and that a small shrine be built in the temple so that she could worship krishna. I think the significance lies in the demonstration of tolerance and acceptance displayed by prince Akbar in accepting princess Jodhaa conditions which…

The general stereotype of the Sufis have been that of a sect of peace minus the rigidity of traditional Islam, but as the fifth chapter will note that this notion is a lot more complicated than thought. While it may be true that the Sufi have preached peace, it should be known that they also preached war as what will be noted in that chapter, by focusing on the writings of three most famous Sufi philosophers-al-Qushayri, al-Ghazali, and Rumi-it would be detailed in their thoughts on the concept…