The title Sufi came later, but the reality to which this name points is not something new.
During the time of پیغمبرِ خدا صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, people were not called Sufi, عالم, حافظ, قاری, فقیہ, محدث, or مفسر. The greatest distinction of that era was to attain the blessed companionship of حضور سرورِ عالم صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Whoever was granted this companionship became known as a صحابی, and this was the greatest honor and description by which the people of that age were recognized.
In the generation after them, the greatest virtue became attaining the companionship of the صحابہ کرام. Therefore, the people of that era were called تابعی. After them came the generation whose distinction was to have attained the companionship of the تابعین, and thus they became known as تبع تابعین.
After these three blessed eras, when Islam spread to different parts of the world, a time of فتنه also began, and بدعات started to spread. At that time, the people of حق distinguished themselves as Sufis, firmly adhering to the outward and inward following of رسولِ خدا صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Without fear of blame from any critic, they remained devoted to the service of دین and the spreading of its فیضان and teachings.
The word Sufi had already become well known before the end of the second century Hijri. حضرت سفیان ثوری رحمتہ اللہ علیہ said:
“If Abu Hashim Sufi had not existed, we would not have recognized the subtle realities of ریا.”
A Misconception
Some people are under the misconception that Tasawwuf is a separate thing having no connection with Islam. However, this misunderstanding is the result of ignorance, limited knowledge, or incorrect understanding.
Tasawwuf is entirely Islam itself. It is the spirit of Islam, the beauty and elegance of Islam, and the perfection of Islam.