Sufism in Britain

Description

This volume provides an objective analysis of current trends and developments in the beliefs and practices of Sufis in Britain. Sufism is a dynamic and substantial presence within British Muslim communities and is influencing both religious and political discourses concerning the formation of Islam in Britain. In the 21st century Sufis have re-positioned themselves to represent the views of a 'Traditional Islam', a non-violent 'other Islam', able to combat the discourses of radical movements. Major transformations have taken place in Sufism that illuminate debates over authenticity, legitimacy, and authority within Islam, and religion more generally. Through examining the theory and history involved, as well as a series of case studies, Sufism in Britain charts the processes of change and offers a significant contribution to the political and religious re-organisation of the Muslim presence in Britain, and the West. Cover HalfTitle Series Title Copyright Contents Contributors Introduction From Ahl as-Sunna wa Jama’at to Traditional Islam (TI) Part One Theory 1 Expressions of Spirituality in Islam: Unity and Diversity in Sufi Thought and Practice The origins of Sufism Sobriety and intoxication Shuhud and Wujud The lived religious experience of Sufis Lakshadweep Islands Veneration of saints Sufism and caste Some remarks Sufism and ethnicity in Britain 2 Transformation and Trends among British Sufis Early development The South Asian migrations Sufis in the West The re-emergence of Sufism 3 Universal Sufis in the UK: Sufism for Everyone? Sufi Order, Sufi Way, Sufi Movement The beliefs and practices of ‘Traditional’ Sufism The chaordic nature of universal Sufism The origins of universal Sufism The links with Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan The dances of universal peace UK (DUPIK) Conclusion Part Two History 4 Shaykh Abdullah Ali al-Hakimi, the ‘Alawi Tariqa and British-Yemenis Introduction Shaykh Abdullah Ali al-Hakimi The ‘Alawi Tariqa British-Yemenis Conclusion 5 Sufism in Britain: The Da‘wa of Shaykh ‘Abdalqadir as-Sufi1 Historical perspectives Key teachings of the Shaykh 6 The One or the Many? Transnational Sufism and Locality in the British Budshishiyya 7 Conversion Narratives among the Alami and Rifa’i Tariqa in Britain A Glance through the Literature Sufism in Britain: The Alami and Rifa’i Tariqa Religious conversion Research in Britain Reasons for joining Sufism Those raised Muslim Those raised Non-Muslim Reactions from family members Final thoughts Part Three Case Studies 8 Online Sufism – Young British Muslims, their Internet ‘Selves’ and Virtual Reality Introduction: Virtual religion Strands of exploration Methodological reflections: Researching the Esoteric online The discussions – How and what were the ‘online Sufis’ discussing? The discussions – three case studies Young people’s Online Sufism Conclusions 9 The Rise of the ‘Traditional Islam’ Network(s): Neo-Sufism and British Muslim Youth Introduction ‘Western Muslim Shaykhs’ Building the foundations Classical Orthodoxy Essentialness of Sufism Following a Madhab Adab: Etiquette of learning The Isnad and Ijazah paradigm Conclusion 10 What Is the Naqshbandi-Haqqani tariqa? Notes on Developments and a Critique of Typologies Learning from the Naqshbandi-Haqqani case Examples of typologies of contemporary Sufism An alternative framework 11 Reliving the ‘Classical Islam’: Emergence and Working of the Minhajul Quran Movement in the UK The Pakistani migration The Barelvis Among the overseas communities Transnational aspect New institutional and organizational structures The Al-Hidaya initiative Qadri and the making of the Sheikhul Islam Conclusion 12 ‘Ours is not a caravan of despair’: The Influence and Presence of the Turkish Sunni Nurcu Movement of Hojaeffendi Fethulla Introduction Operational breadth; spiritual depth Gülen and the key sources of his theology and spirituality On exegeting the Qur’an Mevlana Jalal ud din Rumi (1207–73 ce) as a source of Gülen’s Theology Bediuzzaman Said Nursi (1878–1960) as a source of Gülen’s Theology Jalaluddin Rumi, Said Nursi and Fethullah Gülen Conclusion Index