Pengertian Tasawuf Dan Sejarah Kemunculannya

Abstract

Sufism is a branch of Islamic scholarship that focuses on spiritual development and the purification of the soul with the aim of attaining closeness to Allah (SWT). This study seeks to elaborate on the definition of Sufism, the origin of the term, the sources of its teachings, its historical development, as well as the diversity of practices and major figures within the Sufi tradition. The research employs a library research method by examining various relevant classical and contemporary literatures. The findings indicate that Sufism is rooted in the teachings of the Qur’an and Hadith, which emphasize the values of ihsan, tazkiyat al-nafs, and ma‘rifatullah. Historically, Sufism has undergone a transformation from individual spiritual practices to an organized institutional system in the form of tariqah. Sufism has also given rise to various schools of thought, such as ethical (akhlaqi), practical (amali), and philosophical (falsafi) Sufism, and involves prominent figures including Al-Ghazali, Al-Junaid, and Rabi‘ah al-Adawiyah. This study affirms that Sufism functions not only as a spiritual discipline but also as an ethical and moral system that plays a significant role in shaping character and maintaining inner balance among Muslims.