The term "Sufism" (sufism), which has been very popularly used for centuries, and often with a variety of meanings, comes from three Arabic letters, sha, wau and fa. Many opinions about the reason for its origin from sha wa fa. Some argue, the word comes from shafa which means holiness. In other words it comes from the Arabic verb safwe which means the chosen ones. This meaning is often quoted in Sufi literature. Some argue that the word is derived from the word shafwe meaning line or series, which indicates the early Muslims who stood in the first row in prayer or in holy war. Others argue that the word comes from shuffa, this low-lying porch made of clay and slightly puffed on the ground outside the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, where the good-hearted poor people who follow him often sit around. Others assume that the word tasawuf comes from shuf which means wool, which shows that people who are interested in inner knowledge are less concerned with their outward appearance and often wear simple robe made of sheep all year round.
Whatever its origin, the term tasawwuf means people who are interested in inner knowledge, people who are interested in finding a way or practice toward consciousness and mental enlightenment. It is important to note that this term is hardly ever used in the first two centuries of Hijri. Many Sufi critics, or their enemies, remind us that the term was unheard of in the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, or people after him, or who lived after them.
However, in the second and third centuries after the advent of Islam (622), some people began to call themselves sufi, or use other similar terms related to Sufism, meaning that they followed the path of purification, purification of "heart" their character and their behavior to attain the position of those who worship God as if they saw Him, knowing that even though they did not see Him, He saw them. This is the meaning of the term tasawuf throughout the ages in the context of Islam.
I quote below some definitions of the great Sufi sheikh:
“ Imam Junaid of Baghdad (m.910) defines tasawwuf as "taking every noble character and abandoning every inferiority". Shaykh Abul Hasan ash-Syadzili (m.1258), the great Sufi sheikh of the Northern Arica, defines Sufism as "the practice and practice of self through deep love and worship to return to the way of God". Sheikh Ahmad Zorruq (m.1494) of Morocco defines Sufism as follows: Science by which you can improve your heart and make it solely for God, using your knowledge of the way of Islam, especially fiqh and related knowledge, to improve your charity and keep it within the limits of Islamic law in order for wisdom to be real.
The Sufism
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He adds, "The foundation of Sufism is the knowledge of monotheism, and after that you need the sweetness of belief and certainty, otherwise you will not be able to heal 'the heart'."
According to Shaykh Ibn Ajiba (m.1809):
“ Sufism is a science by which you learn how to behave in the presence of an omnipotent God through inner cleansing and sweetening it with good deeds. The path of Sufism begins as a science, is a charity. and the end is a divine gift. Shaykh as-Suyuthi says, "Sufis are the ones who insist in holiness to God, and have good morals to beings ".
Of the many recorded utterances and writings on Sufism like this, it can be concluded that the basis of Sufism is the purification of the "heart" and the guarding of every injury, and that the end product is the right and harmonious relationship between man and his Maker. Thus, the Sufi is the one whom God has enabled to sanctify his "heart" and establish his relationship with Him and his creation by stepping on the right path, as best exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam).
In the context of traditional Islam tasawwuf is based on virtue (adab) which ultimately leads to universal good and consciousness. To the good begins from the outer part, and the righteous Sufis will practice the outward cleansing and remain within the limits permitted by God. He begins by following Islamic law by enforcing proper Islamic law and provisions, which is the way of obedience to Allah. Thus, Sufism begins by gaining knowledge about the external deeds to build, develop, and live an already conscious mind.
It is a mistake to assume that a Sufi can attain the fruits of Sufism, namely the inner light, the certainty and knowledge of Allah (ma'rifah) without preserving the outer protective skin based on obedience to the shari'a lawsuits. This righteous external behavior-physical-behavior-is based on prayer and the practice of prayer and all the ritual worship rituals that the Prophet (saas) has stipulated to attain vigilance of the "heart", together with the mood and circumstances that accompany it. Then one can majupada purification steps from his low intentions towards higher ideals, from awareness of greed and pride to humble (tawadu ') and noble gratification. Inner work must be continued in a well-fed and well-maintained physical situation.