“What is Sufism?”

Sīdī Aḥmad Zarrūq ash-Shādhilī  ق answered:

Sufism has been defined outlined, and explained in over two thousand ways. The sum of all of these definitions goes back to: Truthfulness in turning to Allāh. Every definition goes back to this.

Sufism is a science, the intent of which is to rectify the hearts and single them out for Allah and no other. Fiqh is a science. The intent of which is to rectify outward actions, safeguard law and order, and manifest Divine wisdom through legal rulings. Aqīdah is a science, the intent of which is to actualise the logical premises of belief with discursive and rational proofs in order to adorn faith with certitude. Just as medicine is for safeguarding the body and grammar is for safeguarding the tongue.

[Adapted from Realities of Sufism by Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir ‘Īsā ash-Shādhilī ]