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Appendix
Appendix 1: Origin of the word Sufism
In the early generation, the people of religion and knowledge,
which included the scholars and the worshipers were called ‘the
reader.’ Later, people invented the word ‘As-Sufiya’ (Sufis) and
‘al-Fuqarah’ (the poor). The name Sufiya is derived from the word,
Suf, i.e. wool and its origin is the wearing of woolen clothes.
This is the correct derivation; other than this, all other suggested
derivations for the word ‘Sufiya’ are fake, like it is said that it is
derived from, Sufah Ibn Murr Ibn Add Ibn Taabika, a tribe of
Arabs known for the worship and devotions, or the people who
stayed in as-Suffa in the Prophet’s Masjid, or as-Safaa (clarity and
purity), As-Sufwah (the purest), or as-Saff (row) meaning the front
row that is the closest to Allah’s Messenger .
Ashaab as-Suffa (the people of the Suffa): As-Suffa was an area
in the northern parts of the Prophet’s Masjid, where stayed the
newcomers, who did not have family or friends in Medina with
whom they could stay. When these people found accommodation
somewhere else, they would leave as-Suffa for another place.
People who stayed in Suffa included people from all sectors and
their number would increase and decrease. They did not have any
particular characteristics of knowledge, nor did they belong to
any specific people of knowledge and piety. In fact, among them
was one who turned back from Islam and was killed by Allah’s
Messenger . In Saheeh al-Bukharee, it is related a story of a
group of Arabs. The climate of Medina did not suit them, so the
Prophet ordered them to follow his shepherd, i.e. his camels, and
drink their milk and urine (as a medicine). So they followed the
shepherd, that is, the camels and drank their milk and urine till
their bodies became healthy. Then they killed the shepherd and
drove away the camels. When the news reached the Prophet ,
he sent some people in their pursuit. When they were brought, he
cut their hands and feet and their eyes were branded with heated
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