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Sufism

Sufism
Sufism (or taṣawwuf; Arabic: الصوفية‎) is a branch of Islam,[1] defined by adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam; others contend that it is a perennial philosophy of existence that pre-dates religion, the expression of which flowered within Islam.[2] Its essence has also been expressed via other religions and metareligious phenomena.[3][4][5] A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a ṣūfī (صُوفِيّ). Sufis believe they are practicing ihsan (perfection of worship) as revealed by Gabriel to Muhammad: "Worship and serve Allah as you are seeing Him and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you". Sufis consider themselves as the original true proponents of this pure original form of Islam. Classical Sufis were characterised by their attachment to dhikr, (a practice of repeating the names of God, often performed after prayers)[19] and asceticism. Etymology[edit] Two origins of the word sufi have been suggested. Beliefs[edit] Teaching[edit] History[edit]

Fitra Fitra, or fitrah (Arabic: فطرة / ALA-LC: fiṭrah), is an Arabic word meaning ‘disposition’, ‘nature’, ‘constitution’, or ‘instinct’. In a mystical context, it can connote intuition or insight. It is similar to the Calvinist term Sensus divinitatis. According to Islamic theology, human beings are born with an innate inclination of tawhid (Oneness), which is encapsulated in the fitra along with compassion, intelligence, ihsan and all other attributes that embody what it is to be human. The perfect embodiments of fitra were Abraham and Muhammad. Narrated Abu-Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "No child is born except on the fitra and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or Magian (Zoroastrian), as an animal produces a perfect young animal: do you see any part of its body amputated?" Root of word[edit] To split or cleaveImplies opening up and coming outVerb means 'to bring forth', 'to originate', 'to knead and shape dough'. Sunan al-Fitra[edit] See also[edit] Dzogchen Notes[edit] J.M.

Calvinism Calvinism (also called the Reformed tradition or the Reformed faith) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice of John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians. Calvinists broke with the Roman Catholic Church but differed with Lutherans on the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper, theories of worship, and the use of God's law for believers, among other things.[1][2] Calvinism can be a misleading term because the religious tradition it denotes is and has always been diverse, with a wide range of influences rather than a single founder. While the Reformed theological tradition addresses all of the traditional topics of Christian theology, the word Calvinism is sometimes used to refer to particular Calvinist views on soteriology and predestination, which are summarized in part by the five points of Calvinism. History[edit] Spread[edit] Theology[edit] Scripture[edit] Law and Gospel[edit] Covenant theology[edit]

Uppsala Synod The Uppsala Synod in 1593 was the most important synod of the Lutheran Church of Sweden. Sweden had gone through its Protestant Reformation and broken with Roman Catholicism in the 1520s, but an official confession of faith had never been declared. The synod was summoned to Uppsala by Duke Charles, heir to the Swedish throne. Four bishops and over 300 priests were also present. The synod was opened on March 1, by Nils Göransson Gyllenstierna, and on the following day Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis, a professor of theology at the Uppsala University, was elected chairman. By March 5, the synod had decided to declare the Holy Scripture the sole guideline for religion. After the unanimous acceptance of the unaltered Augsburg Confession, Nicolaus Olai Bothniensis, who was presiding, exclaimed, "Now Sweden is one man, and we all have one Lord and God Another important decision was that only the Lutheran doctrine was to be allowed; Calvinism, Catholicism, and Zwingliism were all officially banned.

Lutheranism Lutheranism is a major branch of Western Christianity that identifies with the theology of Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian. Today, Lutheranism is one of the largest denominations by members of Protestantism and overall Christianity. Lutheranism advocates a doctrine of justification "by grace alone through faith alone on the basis of Scripture alone", the doctrine that the Bible is the final authority on all matters of faith, denying the Catholic belief of authority coming from both the Bible and the established Church Magisterium. Unlike the Reformed Churches, Lutherans retain many of the liturgical practices and sacramental teachings of the pre-Reformation Church, with a particular emphasis on the Eucharist, or Lord's Supper. Lutheran theology differs from Reformed theology in Christology, the purpose of God's Law, the divine grace, the concept of perseverance of the saints, and predestination. Etymology[edit] History[edit] Spread into northern Europe[edit] Rationalism[edit]

Qanun Qanun or Kanun may refer to: Idries Shah Idries Shah (16 June 1924 – 23 November 1996) (Persian: ادریس شاه‎, Urdu: ادریس شاه‎, Hindi: इदरीस शाह), also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi (Arabic: سيد إدريس هاشمي) and by the pen name Arkon Daraul, was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies. In his writings, Shah presented Sufism as a universal form of wisdom that predated Islam. Emphasizing that Sufism was not static but always adapted itself to the current time, place and people, he framed his teaching in Western psychological terms. Shah made extensive use of traditional teaching stories and parables, texts that contained multiple layers of meaning designed to trigger insight and self-reflection in the reader. He is perhaps best known for his collections of humorous Mulla Nasrudin stories. Shah was at times criticised by orientalists who questioned his credentials and background. John G.

Robert E. Ornstein Robert Evan Ornstein (born 1942)[2] is an American psychologist, researcher and author. He has taught at the Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute, based at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco, and been professor at Stanford University[3] and chairman of the Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK). Life[edit] Early life and education[edit] Robert Evan Ornstein was born in 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, USA, and grew up in the city. In 1964 he was awarded a bachelor's degree in psychology at Queen's College, and went on to gain a PhD at Stanford University, California in 1968.[1] His doctoral thesis was On the Experience of Time.[1] Psychology career[edit] Partial bibliography[edit] Books written[edit] Books edited[edit] Ornstein, Robert E. Academic monographs[edit] Physiological Studies of Consciousness (Institute for Cultural Research, 1973)[9] See also[edit] References[edit] External links[edit] Official website

Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge The Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge (ISHK) is a non-profit educational charity[1] and publisher established in 1969 by the noted and award-winning psychologist and writer Robert E. Ornstein and based in Los Altos, California, in the USA.[2] Its watchword is "public education: health and human nature information." Founder[edit] Ornstein's The Psychology of Consciousness (1972) was enthusiastically received by the academic psychology community.[5][6] More recent works include The Right Mind (1997), described as "a cutting edge picture of how the two sides of the brain work".[7][8][9] Aims and activities[edit] ISHK's primary aim is public education, by providing new information on health and human nature through its book service, through its children's imprint Hoopoe Books and adult imprint Malor Books, which includes the works of Robert Ornstein. In 2010, ISHK set up a web site for a project entitled The Human Journey. See also[edit] References[edit] External links[edit]

Dervish A Dervish or Darvesh[1] (from Persian درویش, Darvīsh[2] via Turkish,[3] Somali: Daraawiish, Arabic: درويش‎, Darwīš) is someone treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path or "Tariqah", known for their extreme poverty and austerity. In this respect, Dervishes are most similar to mendicant friars in Christianity or Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhus.[4] Etymology[edit] The Persian word darvīsh (درویش) is of ancient origin and descends from a Proto-Iranian word that appears in Avestan as drigu-, "needy, mendicant", via Middle Persian driyosh[5] The Iranian word is probably a cognate with the Vedic Sanskrit word adhrigu-, an epithet of uncertain meaning applied to several deities. The Vedic word is probably to be analysed as a-dhrigu-, that is "not dhrigu-," perhaps "not poor", i.e. Religious practice[edit] A dervish. Many Dervishes are mendicant ascetics who have taken a vow of poverty, unlike mullahs. Of what avail is frock, or rosary,Or clouted garment? Rumi writes in Book 1 of his Masnavi:[8] Orders[edit]

Asceticism Asceticism (/əˈsɛtɪsɪz(ə)m/; from the Greek: ἄσκησις áskēsis, "exercise" or "training") is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various worldly pleasures, often with the aim of pursuing spiritual goals. Many religious traditions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and some Christian groups (for example, the Desert Fathers) include practices that involve restraint with respect to actions of body, speech, and mind. The founders and earliest practitioners of these religions lived extremely austere lifestyles, refraining from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth. They practised asceticism not as a rejection of the enjoyment of life, or because the practices themselves are virtuous, but as an aid in the pursuit of physical and metaphysical health. They eschewed worldy pleasures and led an abstemious lifestyle. Etymology[edit] The adjective "ascetic" derives from the ancient Greek term askēsis, which means training or exercise. Religious motivation[edit]

Abu Bakr As a young man, Abu Bakr became a merchant and he traveled extensively in Arabia and neighboring lands in the Middle East, through which he gained both wealth and experience. He eventually came to be recognized as the chief of his clan.[4] On his return from a business trip to Yemen, he was informed that in his absence Muhammad had openly declared his prophethood. Not long after, Abu Bakr accepted Islam and was the first person outside the family of Muhammad to openly become a Muslim.[5] He was instrumental in the conversion of many people to the Islamic faith[6] and early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha was married to Muhammad, strengthening the ties between the two men.[3] Abu Bakr served as a trusted advisor and close friend to Muhammad. Abu Bakr's Caliphate lasted for a little over two years (or 27 months), ending with his death after an illness. Lineage and title[edit] Islamic Empire during the reign of Abu Bakr. There is a dispute over his name being Abdullah. Early life[edit]

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