Download 2011 HSC Studies of Religion Exam solutions Question 4 — Islam

2011 HSC Studies of Religion
Exam solutions
Question 4 — Islam (15 marks)
(a)
Summarise the contribution of ONE significant person or school of thought,
other than Muhammad and the Four Rightly Guided Caliphs, to the
development and expression of Islam.
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Sufism or Tasawwuf in Arabic is an Islamic school of thought and it is
recognised as the mystical branch of Islam, it is believed to have started
approximately one hundred years after the death of Muhammad. Sufis have
contributed hugely to Islamic and western literature and some believe that
Sufis are responsible for shaping Islamic history. Sufism is based on the
principle of love for all humanity and both Sunni and Shiite Muslims can also
be Sufis.
(b)
Summarise the impact of the significant person or school of thought chosen in
part (a).
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Sufism is a minority group within Islam, but because Sufis show a strong
devotion to God, Sufis have moulded Islamic thought throughout history.
Sufis have contributed significantly to Islamic literature and writers and
mystics such as Rabia al Adawiyya, Rumi, Omar Khayyám and Al-Ghazali are
well known for their philosophical contributions to Sufi poetry and texts.
Sufism is not confined to Islam and Sufi philosophy has extended beyond
Islam into the western world. It has been cited by Western philosophers,
writers and theologians. Sufis have been important in the dispersal of the
Islamic faith taking the philosophy from the Middle East to Africa, India and
the Asia.
(c)
All aspects of life are worship for a Muslim.
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How well does the statement reflect the impact of the significant person or
school of thought chosen in part (a)?
The word Sufi derives from the word for wool because some of the early Sufis
wore woollen garments, though some suggest that the word comes from the
Greek ‘sophia’ or wisdom. Most importantly a Sufi is a person of religious
learning. Sufism is not a sect of Islam; rather Sufism is a dimension or an
alternate facet of Islam. Sufism’s goal is to worship Allah. Sufis believe that
knowledge of Islam should be gained from instructors and not solely from
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books, these instructors or masters are experienced practitioners of Sufism
and because of this, Sufism is based on a Master/Disciple relationship.
Following the teaching – “Ask those who know if you know not” Qur’an 16:43.
Tariqas or schools of Sufism exist around the world and many of these trace
their lineage back for almost 1,300 years. Sufi scholars attempt to model
themselves on their teachers and their spiritual lives. Sufis follow a path of
spiritual development; this development involves stages of sincere
contemplation and meditation through which a Sufi aims to become closer to
Allah.
A Sufi’s life is lived in total dedication to Allah and as such the life of a
Sufi becomes a life dedicated to worship. Like all Muslims, Sufis believe in
the oneness of Allah - Shahadah, pray five times a day - Salat, give alms to
the poor - Zakat, fast at Ramadam and practice pilgrimage - Hajj, in fact Sufis
adhere strictly to the outward realisation of Islam. In addition Sufis also
adhere to a spiritual dimension of the faith. “In God, there is no sorrow or
suffering or affliction. Sufi masters teach that ‘dhikr’ or remembrance of God,
focuses the belief, knowledge, and faith of a Sufi by centreing his or her
attention on God and the love for God alone. Sufis practice dhikr as a form of
worship by reciting the divine names of God or verses from the Qur’an, this
becomes a source of mediation and peace. Dhikr as practised by Sufis is the
invocation of Allah's divine names, verses from the Qur'an, or sayings of the
Prophet in order to glorify Him. Dhikr is encouraged either individually or in
groups and is ultimately a source of tranquillity, “hearts become tranquil
through the remembrance of Allah.” Qur’an 13:28. Sufism deepens a
believer’s faith to a new level and as a disciple of Sufism moves from one
stage to another he/she lessens their ego, selfishness and self-centeredness
(nafs) and acquires through prayer and worship a greater closeness to Allah.
“If you want to be free of all affliction and suffering, hold fast to God, and turn
wholly to Him, and to no one else. Indeed, all your suffering comes from this:
that you do not turn toward God and no one else.” Al Ghazali. Sufism
emphasises that through selfless love for Allah, devotion, prayer, meditation,
invocation and worship a person can rid oneself of ‘nafs’ and become closer
to the divine.
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