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4th Sufi International Conference
May 7, 2018 - May 9, 2018
The International Academic Center of Sufi and Aesthetic Studies Organizes in partnership with Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez & The Laboratory of Religious Communication & Languages, Faculty of Sharia, Fez
“Sufism and The Self-Purification”
Fez Morocco (7th – 9th May 2018)
In modern period, a Man has become victim of himself. He is indignation for himself, his family, and his vivid environment; instead of being a resource of mercy and benefit for the whole universe, according to the divine law that Allah has stated for his slaves. So, human beings won’t achieve the aims behind their existence, unless they adopt ethics of those who are knowledgeable about the teaching of Qur’an; and those who succeeded in knowing Allah. This can be achieved only through embracing the Prophet’s characteristics and ethics. For this purpose, Sufism has always been focusing on this prosperity, through the reliance on the purification (Atazkiyah) process, which means the inner reparation of human beings. So that, they can be able to receive the divine knowledge, and achieve universal balance that almighty God has perfectly created. Perhaps, the most important foundation that Sufism relies on, in constructing humanity, is the purification of minds and hearts, in addition to the soul refinement from all sins in order to make it chaste and reassuring. So, Man is a correlation of spirit, body, mind, and soul together. Moreover, the most crucial measure of Man’s civilized attempt is their spirituality and spiritual heritage. Thus, Sufism plays an effective role in the precaution against extremist thoughts, as well as fake appearances. So, Sufism states a clear aesthetic and educational dimension in people’s hearts, so that they can manage to understand things without being victims of extremism, violence, and racism; as the Prophet Mohammed (Pease and blessing be upon him) used to do.
Therefore, the approach of Islam was reformative and utilitarian. It takes into consideration abduction of evil and bringing of benefits. This is exactly what Sufism is encouraging in its educational dimension, in addition to its call for moderation and balance. Besides, Man is in need to an intellectual, juristic, and scientific background, as well as the spiritual background that refines the personality and adjusts behaviors and actions. Our contemporary status is in need to this approach (Sufism) which intellectually and educationally fulfills the generation needs until it manages enough intellectual and spiritual recourse. The fortification/purification process of youths, then, starts to react against the temptation that attracts them to extremism which leads to unexpected consequences. In this sense, Sufism is qualified for the reformation and construction of human beings, especially when its scholars make a combination between Shari’a sciences and Truth science, between authenticity and modernity, and the adherence to the supreme purposes of Shari’a, together with the benefit from techniques and inventions of this area. Hence, Sufism emphasizes its call for the propriety to the straight behaviors in life as a whole. So, this educational and civilized/cultural role of Sufism can be effective in one condition; when generations are armed with knowledge and experience, in addition to stable-footing souls and personalities. As a nation, we are today in need of a spiritual leap that can restore the lost balance between words and deeds, soul and body. It can also open Man’s heart to the soul’s prospects in order to complete the humanistic characteristics. This spiritual leap will be completed only if there is an ethical and educational basis that guarantees the protection against deviance.
All this would construct an ethical substructure which represents a basis for a coherent social reform. In this context the International Academic Center of Sufi and Aesthetic Studies will organize the 4th Sufi Conference, in title” Sufism and Man’s reformation”