Tariqa:
Sing.
tariqa
, pl.
turuq
; literally means ‘the way’ or ‘the path’. In
Sufism, it is used in two contexts: it either denotes the spiritual way a Sufi
has to travel to achieve the realization of God, or a congregation formed
around a Sufi master and subsequently, a Sufi order, which traced its spiritual
authority through a chain of transmission or
silsila
back to the Prophet.The
first
tariqa
to emerge was the
Qadriyya
.
Tasawwuf:
The mystic trend in Islam, Sufism; Sufi is the follower of
tasawwuf.
Tawakkul:
An absolute trust in God.This is what the Qur’an says about
tawakkul
: “God is all-sufficient for the man who puts his trust in Him,” (65:3);
and, “In God let all the trusting put their trust.” (14:10)
Tawba:
Literally: ‘repentance.’ The first rite to be performed by a Sufi
was that of repentance, which was the first step towards a new spiritual
life. It redeemed one of the past sinful life. Furthermore, if repentance
came from a sincere heart it served as a safeguard against future sins. Thus
tawba
brought about a complete revolution in one’s life. Shaykh Nizamuddin
once observed that
tawba
was of two kinds – the present and the future.The
first required man to feel ashamed of past sins and to sincerely regret
them, and the second required him to be fully determined never to commit
those sins again, that is, to refrain from further wrongdoing.
Tawhid:
Literally: ‘Oneness of God’, monotheism. In Sufi terminology
this is the ultimate realization of the oneness of God.
Tawiz:
Literally, ‘to flee for refugee.’ An amulet or charm to ward off
different ills, both physical and spiritual, by seeking refuge in God; the
amulets are most often the passages of the Qur’an or the
hadith
, which are
sealed in a leather case, and are worn around the neck or tied to the arm.
Tazkiya:
Literally: “purifying”. In Sufism it means the purification of
the soul through sincere devotion to God. Purification of the heart and soul
are essential to attain divine approval. The Qur’an has this to say: “He
indeed shall be successful who purifies himself.” (87:14).
