Sufism is a Path Leading to Peace and Harmony: A Study of Islamic Mysticism

Abstract

Sufism promotes social values, good moral characteristics of humanity, and basic ethics among people. It reduces religious, gender, economic, and other social differences. It is a more profound philosophy or a neutral approach promoting tolerance, peace, and spiritual harmony. It is constructive for controlling the commanding wishes (Nafoos) by offering certain qualities such as the purification of self, moral etiquette, and the practice of doing good to others as a human being. By this path, someone achieves a state of virtue and nearness to God. The present research is qualitative in design with techniques of active participant observation and thematic framework analysis. In the first sampling stage, the list of 200 respondents was gathered through snowball sampling. Out of these, a final list of 132 respondents was arranged. This figure of 132 respondents was calculated through an online sample size calculator. The respondents were further bifurcated as custodians, Muhibs, Talibs, and Mureeds – who were found in roles of transforming the true spiritual legacies of Sufi Saints. The descriptive notes, poetry, prose, and speech quotes of Sufi Saints were obtained as raw data. 13 themes were drawn, which were split into 08 encouraging and 05 unhelpful categories. 02 most encouraging themes were drawn out of 13 themes for the final analysis. The results were drawn on behavioral changes through the practice of Sufi notations, speeches, and practices of rituals. It was discovered that peace and tolerance were learned through mysticism. The rigidity and intolerance (ill habits) were reduced with Sufi practices. A cumulative result discovered that Sufism education through a scientific approach is needed to address the growing phenomenon of rigidity and intolerance in the current millennial era.