Ruhul Adab

Commentary by Imam Hassan Cisse

4. Taking Tariqa

The question people usually ask is … “If Tarîqa is based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah, why is there then the need for initiation?” Tarîqa or Sufism is the last stage of worship of Allah, which is the position of seeking righteousness, or IHSAN. Important positions of dignity are normally assumed by initiation. Presidents of nations assume their seats with initiation by swearing to pacts and oaths that they must uphold. The Prophet SAW became a Prophet by initiation and he only started to call to Islam after being duly permitted by Allah SWT. Qur’an 33:45-45 says: “Oh Prophet, we have sent you as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings, a Warner and one who invites to Allah by His permission and (We have sent you) as a lamp of spreading light.” Even those who accept the call of the Prophet SAW become Muslims by initiation. They have to pronounce the Kalimatu Shahadah (The witness word) by saying: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa-Llah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu,” meaning, I bear witness that there is no god (or none worthy of worship) besides Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad SAW is His servant and Messenger. This initiation is normally given, at the hand of a Muslim. Since Islam is in stages, then the process of moving from one stage to another must be by initiation also. Other notable actions of the Prophet SAW, like Hijra (migration from Mecca) was by permission from Allah SWT. The decision to defend the Muslim community by waging of war was only after Allah had given permission, as in the Qur’an 8:65 “Oh Prophet, stir up the faithful to fight.”

(To be continued In Sha Allah)