Kecelaruan di Sebalik Istilah Tasawwuf Falsafi

The Confusion Behind the Term Philosophical Tasawwuf

Abstract

Tasawwuf has long been a field of knowledge that serves as a crucial foundation in shaping the spiritual life of Muslim society. However, in recent times, some academics have popularised the term philosophical Sufism (tasawwuf falsafi), a term that is foreign to the classical heritage of Sufi literature. This term has become widely accepted in academic circles and has even spread among the general public. This study specifically aims to unravel the confusion caused by the spread of the term philosophical Sufism, which appears to have been accepted without careful scrutiny, despite its clear intrusion upon the authenticity of the Sufi intellectual tradition. It is a new term coined by a group of Arab academics in the mid-20th century, when they used philosophical perspectives to discuss issues of spiritual experience such as waḥdat al-wujūd and other complex Sufi problems. It is a foreign term in the foundational Sufi texts since the earliest periods. Therefore, this misleading rebranding must be halted. To demonstrate this confusion, the study employs library research with a focus on historical analysis and the usage of terminology, by examining many foundational Sufi texts produced across different centuries. These traditional works are rich with terms that clearly reflect the wealth of the Sufi intellectual tradition. The term philosophical Sufism was never used when referring to waḥdat al-wujūd or other advanced Sufi issues. Instead, various established terms were used, such as tasawwuf zauqi, tasawwuf al-khawas, tasawwuf ahl al-wajd, tasawwuf muntahi, ahl al-haqaiq, arbab al-qulub, tasawwuf mukasyafah, and ashab al-tajalli. All of these terms carry similar meanings that clearly reflect the uniqueness, tradition, and true identity of the science of tasawwuf.