Islamic spirituality is commonly known as “sufism”, or tasawwuf, in Arabic. It was famously summarised by the great Moroccan scholar, Ahmed Ibn Ajiba Alhasani Almaghribi:
“Sufism is the science by which one knows the methods of travelling towards the King of kings. It is also the means to the purification of the inward from defects and its adornment with all virtues. Sufism is the method by which the creation is obliterated, lost in the vision (shuhud) of the Truth (God; Al–Haqq), and then returned to the world of phenomena (Al-Athar). Its beginning is knowledge, its middle is action and its finality is the exquisite gift from God.”
Sufism has always been at the core of Islamic practice. However, in recent centuries, controversy has gained prominence from some quarters, due partly to the financial weight behind literalist interpretations of the Qur’an, and partly due to the undefendable divergence by some so-called sufis from the accepted (and wide) parameters of accepted Islamic practice.
The late Sidi Hamza, predecessor to our current teacher, said: “Islam is a religion of Oneness of God, love and peace. It symbolises permanent effort, ceaseless striving for excellence of behaviour and sincerity of worship; Sufism is its heart. It is the way of Knowledge of God, and serenity of the heart.”
In this section you will find a history of Sufism, the importance of its practice today, and an introduction to some of the general concepts that all students of Islamic spirituality would agree on. To find more specific information on the Qadiri Boutchichi Tariqa, please navigate to “The Path/Tariqa.” A gentle reminder that Sufism is a science of taste, and not of words, and thus we invite you to participate in order to find out more.
The Sufi Way 