Regulation and Practices
Sufi laws are known as ‘Adraak’ and ‘Ehsas’ in Sufi terminology. which are the norms and discipline for acquiring hidden wisdom or understanding. They are classified as “hidden wisdom” or “knowledge.” They are classified into the three groups listed below:
- “Knowledge,” i.e. “divine Knowledge” attained by the strict discipline of “Shariat.”
- “Amal,” which is an action done in accordance with the preceding discipline with unwavering trust and dedication.
- “Haal,” which is the effect of ‘Amal’ or the activity
The first vital step for a Sufi aspirant to do in order to follow the foregoing route is to find a religious preceptor or ‘murshid’ who is a practical master of the stated Divine Knowledge and its training experience. His initial lessons begin with,
Liturgical practices and exercises with unswerving devotion to certain Quranic verses which are pregnant with the Divine Knowledge in order to grasp their spiritual interpretation and values.
A rigid control over his soul called ‘Nafs’ which starts which renunciation and self-mortification.
Training In Sufism
When a person desires to become a mystic or Sufi, he was supposed to see a Sheikh or Murshid (teacher) and spend as much time with him as the Sheikh felt necessary for his spiritual development. During this phase of apprenticeship, which may be a lifetime in most circumstances, the Sheikh would urge the pupil to undertake mortification (Mujahedas) in order to obtain mastery over his appetitive soul, i.e. ‘Nafs.’ This was accomplished by completing menial tasks such as hewing wood, collecting water from wells, and a variety of other menial tasks in the Khanqah (the monastery or chapel).