Prophetic Sufism (12 Week Course)

The spiritual path of Islam has always been at the core of the religion, yet through history, it has rarely escaped the attention of those who would reject it outright, or criticise it for its alleged excesses or innovations. Endeavours to elevate the soul are not easy, and the Islamic tradition has always warned of the various pitfalls that await those who seek to travel its path.

When al-Zarrūq wrote his seminal and arguably unsurpassed work ‘Qawa’id al-Tasawwuf’, he observed the state of the path of spirituality (Ihsan), and how its power in changing the situation of people had been diminished by the accretions, superstitions and excesses of those who clung to its name. He realised that this brought Sufism (Tasawwuf) itself into disrepute.

He identified the problems and then the cures. Its problems go well beyond simply confusing the path to God as being synonymous with holding to a particular Tariqah or Shaykh. Its solution? He proposed what amounts to a systematic re-presentation of spirituality, a type of ‘Prophetic Sufism’. This was a path built on the synergy between practice (fiqh), belief (aqidah) and spirituality (tasawwuf).

In this 12-week course, Sh. Ruzwan provides the context and his own commentary on this ‘Prophetic Sufism’. Participants will cover a study of over forty central principles that together make up the complete subject of Sufism, from what the concept of Sufism is, its Vehicle; its Parameters; its Tools; its Road; its Teachings; its Obstacles; and finally the role of the Guide in Sufism.

Taken as a whole, this set of lessons will bring the powerful wisdom of Sheikh Ahmad al-Zarrūq’s Principles of Tasawwuf to its practical zenith, helping you make the decisions to navigate your spiritual path with clarity and purpose.

This course will:
– Cover al-Zarrūq’s Principles of Tasawwuf, their commentary, as well as required context and modern applications.
– Summarise the work into a cohesive whole, integrating its content to present a universal blueprint for the spiritual path.
– Give form to ‘Prophetic Sufism’, creating a unity between practice (fiqh), belief (aqidah) and spirituality (tasawwuf).
– Unpack complex and controversial issues of creed, practice and tradition in the spiritual path.
– Grant insight into how these controversies were remedied by al-Zarrūq, a universally respected authority, and how he addresses the flaws and excesses that have entered the Tariqahs.
– Empower students to evaluate the structures around Tariqahs (Spiritual Orders) and the Murshids (Spiritual Teachers)
– Highlight tools for sincerity, humility, and ethical conduct.
– Present practical guidance on finding and benefiting from spiritual mentorship.

So what will the Practical Outcomes be?
1. Protect Your Soul: Learn to navigate the spiritual challenges that pull you away from your ultimate goal
2. Clarity your Faith: Understand the harmonious relationship between tasawwuf, fiqh, and theology.
3. Balance your Worship: Avoid extremes and develop a consistent, moderate practice.
4. Power your Dhikr: Learn the parameters of effective remembrance.
5. Discover your Roadmap: Gain actionable steps to integrate spirituality into your daily life.
6. Use your Compass: recognise misuse of spiritual ‘power’ and ‘authority’.

This live course allows students the opportunity to study a rarely taught work with practical insights from the instructor. The instructor will provide his own novel insights into the elements that make up the spiritual path.

A copy of the book ‘Fundamental Principles of Tasawwuf’ is required