Ruwaym

Abu Muhammad Ruwaym bin Ahmad was an early Muslim jurist, ascetic, saint and reciter of the Qur'an. He was one of the second generation of practitioners of Sufism (tasawwuf).^[1][2]

Ruwaym was an early teacher of Ibn Khafif, another famous mystic.^[3] Ruwaym has been described as both being on poor terms with Ibn Khafif's other teacher, Junayd of Baghdad,^[4] and with being a "friendly rival" and associate of Junayd's.^[5][6] In addition to his students, Ruwaym was a devoted family man, an attachment to the material world which put him in contrast to many other Sufi mystics at his time.^[7][8] Ruwaym spent some time as the deputy of the chief judge of Baghdad, his home town.^[9]

Ruwaym died in the year 303 of the Islamic calendar,^[10] corresponding to the year 915 on the Gregorian calendar.^{[11][12][13][14]}

One of the first practitioners of Sufism, Ruwaym viewed the practice as a resignation of the empirical self.^[15] Tawhid, under Ruwaym's definition, was the annihilation of humanity and the overarching importance of the divine.^[11] In fact, Ruwaym's humility was to the extent that shame was a virtue as no matter where a person went God is near, and a human being should be ashamed in such a situation.^[16] Less emphasis was placed on absolute trust in God for all things, and more on stewardship and responsibility.^[6] His influence within Sufism was strong early on, with many of Baghdad's early Sufis having been disciples of his.^[17] Ruwaym held a negative view of Mansur Al-Hallaj, initially believing in his miracles though later rejecting such claims.^[18]

In terms of Muslim jurisprudence, Ruwaym was a Zahirite, following the school of Dawud al-Zahiri.^[3][19] He was one of the school's important early jurists, being remembered by later adherent Ibn Hazm as one of the top leaders of the school.^[20]

Although Ruwaym was a Sufi, he was also critical of other practitioners due to perceived errors. His book Errors of the Ecstatics was a compilation of what he viewed as such errors.^[21] He also warned Muslims from the mainstream against arguing with Sufis about metaphysical matters of which the mainstream had little knowledge, viewing that such a person would lose faith and that such matters should be left to experts in Sufism.^[22][23]

The following were recorded by Abu Bakr al-Kalabadhi, translated by Arthur John Arberry:

• "Satisfaction is the anticipation of the decrees (of God) with joy." (Kalabadhi 93)
• "Poverty is the non-existence of every existent thing, and the abandonment of every lost thing." (Kalabadhi 86)
• "The meaning of repentance is, that thou shalt repent of repentance."^[24] (Kalabadhi 83)
• The repentance of conversion is "that thou shouldst fear God because of the power He has over thee." (Kalabadhi 83)
• The repentance of repose is "that thou shouldst be ashamed before God because He is near thee." (Kalabadhi 83)
• "Sincerity is lifting one's regard from the deed." (Kalabadhi 90)

Commenting on the meaning of intimacy, Ruwaym observed: (Kalabadhi 99)

Thy beauty is my heart's delight,

And holds my mind unceasingly:

Thy love hath set me in Thy sight,

Estranged from all humanity.

Thy recollection comes to me

With friendly tidings from the Friend:

"Behold, as He hath promised thee

Thou shalt attain and gain thy end."

Wherever Thou mayst chance to light,

O Thou who are my soul's intent!

Thou comest clearly to my sight,

And in my heart art immanent.

• Biography of Ruwaym at the University of Georgia website