Shukr (Thankfulness)
Literally meaning gladness felt about and gratitude shown for the good done to one, Sufis use shukr to…
Islamic Sufism
99 articles
Haya (Modesty)
Sufis use haya, which literally means shame, bashfulness, and refraining from saying or doing anything improper or indecent,…
Sidq (Truthfulness)
Meaning true thought, true words and true actions, sidq is reflected in the life of a traveler on…
Futuwwa (Youth and Chivalry)
They were young men who had believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance. And We…
Humility (Tawadu)
Tawadu (modesty and humility) is the opposite of arrogance, pride, and haughtiness. It can also be interpreted as…
Good Nature (Khuluq)
Good nature, in addition to meaning temperament, disposition, and character, is a goal to which a traveler aspires,…
Tawakkul, Taslim, Tafwiz, and Thiqa (Reliance, Surrender, Commitment, and Confidence)
Reliance, surrender, commitment, and confidence are the four steps or stations of a spiritual journey beginning with reliance…
Istiqama (Straightforwardness)
People of truth have interpreted straightforwardness as avoiding all deviation and extremes, and as following in the footsteps…
Ikhlas (Sincerity or Purity of Intention)
Ikhlas has been interpreted as being upright, sincere, and pure; being distant from show and ostentation in one’s…
Muraqaba
Muraqaba has been defined as watching, supervising, controlling, and living in the consciousness of being controlled (by God).…
Wara’ (Abstinence)
Wara’ relates to both the inner and outer aspects of a believer’s life and conduct. A traveler on…
Taqwa (Piety)
Taqwa is derived from wiqaya, which means self-defense and avoidance. Sufis define it as protecting oneself from God’s…
Zuhd (Asceticism)
Zuhd, which literally means renouncing worldly pleasures and resisting carnal desires, is defined by Sufis as indifference to…
Raja (Hope or Expectation)
For a Sufi, Raja means waiting for that which he or she wholeheartedly desires to come into existence,…
Khawf and Khashya (Fear and Reverence)
In Sufism, khawf (fear) denotes abstaining not only from all that is forbidden, but also from deeds from…