📜 BĪ-SHARʿ (بى شرع‎): The Dark Side of Mysticism in Islam

What is BĪ-SHARʿ (بى شرع‎)?

BĪ-SHARʿ (بى شرع‎) literally translates to “without the law” in Arabic. It is a term coined for a subset of mystics and Sufis within Islam who defy the Shari’a—the legal code dictated by the Qurʾān and Hadith. The term is often pejorative, indicating a disregard or outright rejection of established religious norms and law.

Etymology and Background

• Etymology: The term “Bī-Sharʿ” is derived from “bi-” (بِ), meaning “without,” and “sharʿ” (شَرْع), which means “law.”
• Historical Context: The concept of Bī-Sharʿ emerged in the early centuries of Islamic mysticism. Antinomian mystics often adopted unorthodox practices, which created tension with mainstream Islamic jurisprudence.
• Philosophical Roots: This term is rooted in the mystical belief that one can attain a direct, personal union with the Divine, thus nullifying the need for outside laws and rituals dictated by religious authorities.

Cultural Differences and Synonyms

• Cultural Differences: In some cultures, the term Bī-Sharʿ might simply be seen as another path to spiritual awakening; in others, it is heavily condemned for undermining religious law.
• Similar Concepts: Similar concepts can be found in other religious traditions, such as the Gnostic disregard for ecclesiastical authority in Christianity or Daoist disregard for Confucian rules.

Related Terms with Definitions

• Shari’a: The religious law forming part of the Islamic tradition, derived from the Qurʾān and Hadith.
• Sufism: A mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to find divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience with God.
• Qurʾān: The central religious text of Islam, believed to be a revelation from God (Allah).

Antonyms

• Sharʿī: Law-abiding or strictly adhering to Shari’a.
• Mutaʿāsib: Fanatically observant, rigorously adhering to Islamic law.

Exciting Facts

• Mansur Al-Hallaj: A famous Bī-Sharʿ figure who was executed for proclaiming, “I am the Truth,” viewed as blasphemous by legalistic scholars but considered a mystic declaration by others.
• Rumi’s Influence: While Rumi adhered to Shari’a, his poetry often transcended orthodox legalism, inviting misinterpretation and dialogue about mysticism and the law.

Quotations from Notable Writers

• “The road to the Divine does not always tread through the path of the law.” — Rumi
• “He who is in the bosom of the Divine needs no external veil.” — Al-Hallaj

Suggested Literature and Other Sources for Further Studies

• Books:
  • “The Conference of the Birds” by Farid Ud-Din Attar
  • “The Essential Rumi” translated by Coleman Barks
  • “Sufism: An Introduction to the Mystical Tradition of Islam” by Carl W. Ernst
• Aricles:
  • “Antinomianism in Islamic Mysticism” by Annemarie Schimmel
  • “The Sufi Path of Love” by William C. Chittick

Inspiration and Farewell

“Seek the unseen through the veil of the seen, and in every other heart, trace your own beating.”

May your journey into the depths of Islamic mysticism, law, and beyond be enriched with wisdom and understanding.

Kindly delve deeper into this concept through the suggested literature for a comprehensive understanding and introspective exploration. Adieu, seeker of knowledge!