Sufism and the concept of Loyalty

 

The word “loyalty” in dictionaries encompasses meanings like “devotion,” maintaining love, and fidelity, which are vital in Sufi terminology. In Sufism, loyalty involves awakening the soul from negligence, remaining sincere, and adhering to the primordial covenant with Allah. This covenant, where souls affirmed Allah’s lordship with “Yes, You are our Lord” (Al-A’raf, 172), requires continuous loyalty.

 

 

Human beings often forget this promise upon entering the earthly realm, distracted by worldly desires, thus displaying disloyalty. Accepting Allah’s divinity and one’s servitude must be demonstrated by adhering to His commands and avoiding prohibitions. Loyalty involves fulfilling this covenant’s requirements, and one attains it by placing reason under the soul’s command. If one succumbs to worldly desires, they fall below the level of animals. Therefore, loyalty is fundamentally linked to one’s reason, will, and ethical conduct.

 

 

Mevlana emphasizes that loyalty is the endeavor of the wise. He illustrates this concept in the Masnavi, highlighting the moral responsibilities and the importance of remaining loyal to the covenant with Allah. The attitude towards the Creator, as well as towards parents, relatives, and friends, involves remembering and not forgetting them, embodying an ‘ethic of loyalty.’

 

In essence, loyalty not only reflects one’s commitment to divine promises but also embodies a broader ethical framework crucial in both spiritual and social contexts.