In the contemporary world, religion, which was originally meant to be a path to divine salvation, has ironically become one of the greatest barriers to spiritual realization. This is particularly evident in Islam, where centuries of historical and political developments have led to a rigid, dogmatic, and often spiritually hollow system. The essence of Islam, which was once a vibrant path of love, wisdom, and direct experience of the Divine, has been overshadowed by legalism, political ambitions, and power struggles.
The Crisis of Spirituality
Modern societies, including Muslim communities, are deeply immersed in materialism. The focus has shifted entirely to worldly gains, leading to an internal crisis—a yearning for something beyond the superficial. People sense a profound emptiness, an absence of meaning in their religious practices. They engage in rituals, but these rituals no longer lead to spiritual awakening.
One of the major reasons for this is the loss of deeper vision (Darsan) within Islamic teachings. The Quran, which is a living guide to higher consciousness, is often read through rigid translations that fail to capture its spiritual depth. Many translations are overly legalistic or lack the mystical insight necessary to awaken the heart. As a result, the Quran feels distant and disconnected from one's inner experience.
Similarly, the life of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has been reduced to a politicized narrative. His profound spiritual reality—his role as an embodiment of Divine Love and Mercy—has been overshadowed by historical accounts centered around state-building, warfare, and legalistic rulings. This political interpretation strips away the inner essence of his message, making it harder for seekers to connect with him on a deeply spiritual level.
The Suppression of Sufism
Throughout Islamic history, there has always been a struggle between spiritual Islam (Tasawwuf) and political Islam. The Sufis, who sought direct experience of the Divine, often challenged the power structures that controlled religious thought. They stood against rulers who manipulated Islam for control, wealth, and dominance. Because of this, Sufis were frequently persecuted—imprisoned, exiled, or even executed.
Take the example of Mansur al-Hallaj, who was crucified for proclaiming “Ana al-Haqq” (I am the Truth), a statement that expressed his union with God. His words were not heretical but deeply mystical, yet he was killed by religious authorities who feared the transformative power of his message.
Another example is Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, who was executed for teaching the philosophy of illumination. His ideas were seen as a threat to the rigid orthodoxy that upheld political Islam. Similarly, in India, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb carried out extreme persecution of Sufis. Unlike Akbar, who embraced Sufi ideals, Aurangzeb saw their influence as dangerous. He even ordered Sufi musical instruments to be buried deep in the ground so that their sound would never rise again. However, history proved otherwise—the Sufi message of love, music, and divine intoxication continues to resonate through the hearts of people, despite attempts to silence it.
The Consequence of Losing the Inner Dimension
When religion becomes an instrument of political power and control, it loses its soul. Instead of leading people toward spiritual awakening, it becomes a rigid system of laws, fear, and submission to external authority. This is what has happened to much of Islam today. The spiritual, experiential, and mystical dimensions have been largely erased, leaving behind a dry and lifeless structure.
But the truth cannot be buried. Just as Aurangzeb could not silence Sufi music, the spiritual yearning in the human heart cannot be extinguished. Those who seek beyond the surface—who long for Irfan (Gnosis)—will always find a way to uncover the hidden wisdom.
Today, the challenge for seekers is to break free from the illusions of religious dogma and rediscover the inner reality of faith. True Islam is not found in power structures, rigid interpretations, or external rituals alone. It is found in the heart that burns with love for the Divine, the seeker who yearns for truth, and the soul that surrenders completely to the beauty of existence.
The Sufi path remains a beacon of hope, calling those who have become disillusioned with the outward shell of religion, offering them a deeper, richer experience of the Divine. No matter how many times materialism, politics, and authority try to suppress this light, it will continue to shine—because the truth of the heart can never be buried.
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