Is Tasawwuf for Men Only?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Can acts of tasawwuf weaken one’s sexual desire and is tasawwuf only for men, or is it for both men and women?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Bismillah.

Tasawwuf – in general – is the application of the teachings of the Quran and the Sunna of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace). One of the definitions of Tasawwuf scholars have mentioned is: Entering every lofty quality and exiting all base traits. (Ibn ‘Ajiba, Iqaz al-Himam).

Therefore, it is the application of the guidance of Islam with a clear focus on pleasing Allah. This is something that can and should be done by men and women alike; so both genders can benefit from Tasawwuf.

The approaches to applying the aforementioned teachings have differed over time, and from place to place, with some masters emphasising certain matters over others. Some, such as Imam Ghazali, have talked at length about masterings one’s sexual desires, as in the case in the section of ‘Breaking the two desires’ in the Ihya ‘Ulum al-Din.

Others focus on other aspects, and suffice with teaching one should have a halal outlet for one’s physical urges through marriage. Read the above books and see what suits you best.
May Allah give us all lofty traits and remove all base traits from us.
[Shaykh]Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.