Murid, his Condition, his Spiritual Station and his Relationships with the Sheikh of the Tariqa according to the Orientalist Annemarie Schimmel (1922-2003)

Abstract

The Murid, his condition, his spiritual station and his relationship with the Sheikh of the Tariqa constitute significant topics within the historical discourse of Islamic Sufism. This significance arises from the necessity for the Murid to move through specific conditions and spiritual stages early on in the Sufi path to achieve elevated spiritual states. To accomplish this, he needs a guide that is to select a Sheikh for him. This topic was of particular interest to the orientalist Annemarie Schimmel (1922-2003). She focuses on the importance of this subject in the history of Islamic Sufism, providing detailed information not found in the works of other historians and orientalists. According to Schimmel, after the selection and acceptance phases between the Murid and the Sheikh, a deep bond of affection is formed between them. The Sheikh guides the Murid through various spiritual stages and the Murid attentively follows the Sheikh's guidance and advice. Put differently, the Murid attains these states through his personal effort. Subsequently, the Murid experience various situations based on the stages in which he finds himself. Over time, and with the growing number of the Murids under the Sheikhs’ guidance, the Tariqa emerged as a natural consequence of this expansion. Hence, it becomes evident for us that both the Sheikh and the Murid collectively constitute the principal subjects and components in the history of Islamic Sufism. They have therefore been chosen as the title of this research.