Question

what are the features of sufi movement in medieval period

Answer 1

Instead of depriving God of form and attributes they impute to him the qualities of effulgence, love, mercy, generosity and immanence.Instead of inculcating fear of the wrath of god, they put forward the ideal of securing union with Him by pursuing the path of perfect love.The most outstanding attribute of god, according to the Sufis, is his effulgence and they dwell upon his luster, glory and splendor in various ways.They feel that it is His glory that is reflected in every object, nay every little particle, in the universe. That is why they recommend love and kindness to all created beings.As a corollary of this, many sufis were strict vegetarians.Removing the sheaths of ignorance and impurity encrusting the heart, they contemplate on God with a feeling of utter sincerity and purity.They recognize the value of repletion of God’s name and sometimes resort to music of a loving devotional character as an aid to concentration.The fervor of music often led to heightening of emotion which ended in ecstatic dancing.Their goal is union with God.In each of these orders, the preceptor or the pir has a great importance because it is only under his guidance that spiritual progress is possible
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