*What are Shariah, Tariqah, Haqiqah, and Ma’rifah?*


In every religion, the Sufi inclination tends to describe different stages or spheres that lead toward Ultimate Reality.


1) *Shariah* – Shariah is Divine Law. By affirming it, a person becomes a Muslim. It is a model for an individual’s life and for law, which binds Muslims together into a community. Shariah is the means for organizing human society in Islam. It is the way by which a person gives religious significance to his daily life and becomes able to center that life in a spiritual focus.


2) *Tariqah* – Tariqah, or “the path,” is chosen by individuals who, after following Shariah well, desire further spiritual elevation. It is a path that emerges from Shariah. Within this external Shariah there exists an inner Shariah which is called Tariqah.


3) *Haqiqah* – _Haqiqah_, from the word _Haqq_, means Reality or the path leading toward Ultimate Reality. At this stage, the believer sees everything in the heart and becomes immersed in love. _Haqq_ is the totality of Tariqah.


4) *Ma’rifah* – _Ma’rifah_ is a noun from _ma‘rifah_, derived from the verb _‘arafa_, or _i‘tikaf_, which means to seek knowledge from someone. _Irfan_ is another name for Ma’rifah. At the stage of Ma’rifah, the infallible one becomes more humble with every moment, because every moment is bringing him closer to God. At Ma’rifah, one sees without sight, knows without knowledge, observes without witnessing, beyond the veil and without a veil.

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