Islam and Peace
Social Aspect of Islamic Mysticism
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SOCIAL ASPECT OF ISLAMIC
MYSTICISM
Mysticism is generally called
tasawwuf
in India and
irfan
(realization) in Iran. To me
irfan
is the most
appropriate word for mysticism, in actual fact, it is
another name for the realization of inner reality.
The word mysticism has been variously defined in
academic works. By way of a simple definition, it
means to penetrate one’s inner soul and to enable it,
by developing it, to establish contact with God, the
Greater Soul.
This process purifies the human personality, and
the soul comes to realize itself. The latent natural
potential of the soul is ultimately awakened; in the
words of the Quran, it becomes the serene (89:27) or
pure soul (87:14).
It is but natural that the personality developed by
the mystic (or the
Aarif
)
in this way does not remain
enclosed within a boundary. His inner state also
having its external manifestation, his personality
finds expression in his social relations.
