Women and Sufism By Paula White

Photo from the website: http://culturalstudies.web.unc.edu/

Love, light, music, mystical, heart, purity, dreams, womb, beloved The documentary, Sufi Soul and the article, “Women and Sufism” repeated these words often. It appears Sufism is the softer side of Islam. Followers believe they can be closer to Allah by perfecting worship, striving towards the light and keeping a pure heart.

Why are women drawn to Sufism? It seems women would be drawn to Sufism more than other sects of Islam because of the importance the religion places on women's intuition or spiritual wisdom. In mainstream Islam, men are the guide, the teacher, the all knowing force. But Sufi believe that women possess great powers, to heal, to speak with Allah, to guide. In Sufism women have a voice, they are not a background. Although they are not as progressive as other religions, Sufism allows women to be involved by teaching, composing songs and poems, and writings.

Women and Sufism, the article Throughout history women have been seen as the bearers or foresight, soothsayers, mystics. Before the dawn of our current patriarchal world, women held positions of power, they were deities and goddesses, they were the Mother. The article speaks of women within Sufism being sought out for knowledge and guidance. Sufi’s believe women are powerful because we not only come from the womb, but carry the womb. They put great emphasis on the womb. God wraps mankind in his womb of benevolence and generosity. I rather enjoy the emphasis this article places on women’s roles in the Sufi religion. I just keep envisioning mother earth, the goddess, enveloping all in a loving embrace. But since Sufism believes in God (the man) I guess my vision is a bit far fetched.

Rumi’s thoughts on women from the article…. “Rumi often speaks beautifully of the feminine, presenting woman as the most perfect example of God’s creative power on earth. As he says in the Mathnawi, “Woman is a ray of God. She is not just the earthly beloved; she is creative, not created.””

Conclusion Sufism calls itself the pure form of Islam. Although mainstream Muslims will eagerly disagree with the Sufi beliefs. Sufi’s believe that the normal practices and rules are not fulfilling the true path which is spiritually related. Sufism emphasizes love of Allah, purity of heart, following the light, the metaphysical womb of Allah, and the physical womb of women. Unlike mainstream Islam, women play a more central role in Sufism. They are teachers of men and women, they are looked to for visions and insights, and they contribute to the religion in many public ways like composing poetry and songs. Sufism for all purposes is the mystical side of Islam that no one else deems important, but to them, the mystics of Islam is of the upmost importance. On a side note, if Sufism was a town in America, I think it would be Sedona.