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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 7 page research paper that examines Sufism within the overall framework of Islam. Sufism provides a means of expression and serves as vehicle for the spirituality of Islam. However, its existence, since its inception, has created considerable controversy with Islamic scholars arguing about precisely where Sufism should exist within the larger framework of Islamic belief. This examination of scholarly opinion on this topic reveals that this debate is still ongoing. Bibliography lists 10 sources.
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7 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khsufdeb.rtf
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as well as to the rampant materialism of that time (VanDoodewaard, 1996). While the sharia (Islamic law) was seen as necessary, this aspect of Islam by itself did not satisfy
the deep spiritual longing of many Muslims. A search for deeper spiritual experience ensured and this provided the impetus for the development of Sufism, which is also known as tasawwuf,
and is a popular mystical side of Islam. But while Sufism provides a means of expression and serves as vehicle for the spirituality of Islam, its existence, since its inception,
has created considerable controversy with Islamic scholars arguing about precisely where Sufism should exist within the larger framework of Islamic belief (VanDoodewaard, 1996). An examination of scholarly opinion on
this topic reveals that this debate is still ongoing. In 1996, VanDoodewaard interviewed Iman Mohamad M. Algalaleni of the London Mosque. A renowned Islamic scholar and Sunni cleric, Algalalenis
grandfather was a Sufi leader (VanDoodewaard, 1996). Iman Algalaleni, in answer to VanDoodewaards question concerning the origins of Sufism, stated that "In regard to the history of Sufism, the Holy
Quran and the sunna of the Prophet dont actually mention this word. However, the main idea behind Sufism was in the Holy Quran and the sunna." However, Algalaleni went
on to explain that Sufism, drawing on this tradition, actually evolved roughly two centuries after the beginning of Islam. The controversy concerning Sufism among Islamic scholars can be traced
to the fact that the majority of Sufis would take exception with Algalalenis explanation. For Sufi spirituality to be legitimate, many Islamic scholars argue that it has to trace its
origin to the Quran and the sunna. For example, Rippin (1990) states that "Sufis...in their search for legitimization of their spiritual quest" must be able to show "whether Islam as
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