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Thread: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

  1. #1
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    Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Namaste! Is it possible to be both Sufi and Hindu? From what I am learning, Sufism seems easier to blend with Sufism than perhaps even with Islam.

    I have recently read that the Mujuaddidi (sp) Naqshbandi has been influenced a lot by Hinduism. I'd love to know more about that.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Namaste,

    I think from a perspective of Sanatana Dharma it would be okay. however if you take the islamic position it would not be so much okay. It depends on what Sufis you mean. Even the Naqshbandi Mujadidi sufis differ. You have some that are very lax and open, then you have others who are very strict Muslims who hold fast the Quran and way of Muhammad. Sufism of Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad would be very strict to the Quran and Sunnah and if you believed in God in a way that expresses Kufr (disbelief) such as believing God is everywhere and in everything and we are God then such a belief would not be acceptable to Sufis of that Naqshbandi Mujadidi Order.

    Now you may be able to get away with Naqshbandi Haqqanis (those who follow Nazim al-haqqani). They seem to accept the old sufis sayings of there are many paths to Allah. However, even amongst them you may have disagreements. Perhaps Nazim al-haqqani wouldnt mind but sufis of a less calibre might take offense to "paganistic" views of Hindus as they would put it frankly.

    it is hard to make them compatable since some Sufis are strict adherence to the close minded Quran and way of Muhammad. Those who are more about direct experience might not care because they have experienced God in all things and sees God everywhere and has perfected their vision of Wahdat al-wujud (Oneness of Being)

    OM
    -juan

  3. #3

    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    You could find out in the (Sri) Guru Granth Sahib.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Interesting question, as another member said from a strictly Islamic standpoint no, you are to be a Muslim, period. From a Hindu standpoint, I think there would be no problem. I personally love Rumi and have always loved Sufi teacings and figures. I do find it interesting that certain sects of Islam particularly Shi'a Ismaili seems to borrow certain ideas from the dharma. If you were going to be a Sufi first and a serious one at that, then you would be Muslim and a Muslim sticks to Islam and only Islam.
    Don't look for meaning there is none.

    ॐ नमः शिवाय.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidC View Post
    You could find out in the (Sri) Guru Granth Sahib.
    The SGGS represents Sikhism rather than Sufism. Although the SGGS and Sikhism could offer a bhakti path to non-dual moksha, which is similar but not the same thing that is attractive about Sufism.

    Heartfully.
    As others say. A Muslim or Sufi can only recognise Allah and the Prophet. You could probably read Hindu philsophy to support your knowledge but not recognise it as the truth.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Quote Originally Posted by Snip View Post
    The SGGS represents Sikhism rather than Sufism. Although the SGGS and Sikhism could offer a bhakti path to non-dual moksha, which is similar but not the same thing that is attractive about Sufism.
    Nevertheless, it is the integration of Sanatana Dharma and Islam. Surely there were some more intellectual Sikhs. I can think of some: the Sant Mat gurus, who did not just teach bhakti, but meditation.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Quote Originally Posted by DavidC View Post
    Nevertheless, it is the integration of Sanatana Dharma and Islam. Surely there were some more intellectual Sikhs. I can think of some: the Sant Mat gurus, who did not just teach bhakti, but meditation.
    Hi DavidC
    That is very true and a good point. Thanks for clarifying.
    I find the blend of Sanatana Dharma and Islam quite beautiful; there appears to me to be something good dualists and non-dualists alike.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Namaste all: IMHO, this only works on a mystical level, not on the outer level. Sufis are mystics, and not exactly encouraged by the general Islamic population. Every religion has a mystical side to it, Sanatana Dharma to a greater degree than most.

    So within that inner side there are more commonalities. Same with the fundamentalist side. A fundamentalist Moslem has a lot more in common with a fundamentalist Christian than he does with a Sufi mystic.

    On the outer level it is nonsense. Of course an individual can give himself any label he wants like Vedantic spiritualist, Hindu-Christian, Sufi-Hindu. But do the leaders of faith subscribe to this. No, for the most part, unless they are those universalists who wash everything down so much there`s not much left. Just my opinion.

    Aum Namasivaya

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    Quote Originally Posted by Eastern Mind View Post
    Namaste all: IMHO, this only works on a mystical level, not on the outer level. Sufis are mystics, and not exactly encouraged by the general Islamic population. Every religion has a mystical side to it, Sanatana Dharma to a greater degree than most.
    This is true however if you will permit me, let me make this illustration. Qabbalah is the mystic heart of Judaism however traditionally only those who have studied the Torah and the Tanakh for a great number of years are able to begin to study Qabbalah. Those who practice it, also are very frum and Orthodox. My ex-girlfriend whom was Sufi and from Iran told me something similar, that while they practice a mystical side of X, they also are observant X. I am not saying I am right but I think Qabbalists and Sufis probably hold the same view. So, if you are Sufi then you are Muslim and are to be "all you can be." Realistically lay people probably can't meet up to the perfect model or the level of observance of religious leaders but that is the hole you're shooting for.
    Don't look for meaning there is none.

    ॐ नमः शिवाय.

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    Re: Can someone be both Hindu and Sufi?

    AS: I'll withdraw from the discussion for lack of knowledge. Probably shouldn't have gotten into it in the beginning. Just conjecturing on about nstuff I know nothing about.

    Aum Namasivaya

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