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The First Appearance of Sufism
As regards the first appearance of Sufism, then the word ‘Sufism’ was not
known in the time of the Companions, indeed it was not well-known in the
first and best three centuries. Rather it became known after the end of the
first three centuries.
Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah
rahimahullaah,
mentions that the first
appearance of Sufism was in Basrah in 'Iraaq, where some people went to
extremes in worship and in avoiding the worldly life, such as was not seen in
other lands.
[Al-Fataawaa (11/6)]
How Did Sufism Begin?
When Sufism first began it was not something totally distinct and separate,
but was merely a matter of going to the extreme in avoidance of the worldly
life, and persisting in dhikr (remembrance of Allaah) and experiencing such
great fear whilst remembering Allaah that it sometimes lead to a person
falling unconscious or falling dead when hearing an Aayah which mentions a
threat of punishment. This is seen in the story of Zuraarah ibn Awfaa the
judge of Basrah who recited:
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