“Should the term Sufism be rejected since it was not used in the times of the Companions?”

Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir ‘Īsā ash-Shādhilī  ق answered:

This argument is rejected. There are many technical terms that came into use after the time of the Companions and were utilised without censure whatsoever, such as the words: grammar (nahū), jurisprudence (fiqh), logic (mantiq), etc.

Having said that, we do not give as much attention or concern to the outward expressions as we do to the realities and foundations. When we invite to Sufism, by that we only mean: purification of the souls, the cleansing of the hearts, the rectification of character, the pursuit of the level of iḥsān.

We call all of that Sufism. If you like, you may call it the spiritual dimension of Islam, or the domain of excellence [iḥsān] or good character. Call it what you like as long as it corresponds to its reality and core. No matter the case, the scholars of this Ummah have inherited the term Sufism and its reality from their predecessors among the spiritual guides since the beginning of Islam till this day of ours. It has become customary usage among them.

[Adapted from Realities of Sufism by Shaykh ‘Abdul Qādir ‘Īsā ash-Shādhilī ]