Abstract
The problem of tariqa, associated with the comprehension of Allah in the phenomenal, material world, is the key one in Sufism. It reveals the essence of "I" and "You", the relationship between man and God. According to Sufism, a person is a sensual, suffering being and the cause of this suffering is nafs, which means passions, lusts, attachment to earthly existence. And the task of a person is to free himself from nafs, for which tariqa is necessary - the path of self-improvement of a person. The article reveals the peculiarities of tariqa, its stages - sharia, tariqa, maarifa and haqiqa. Each of these stages has its own forms of cognition, which are transmitted in symbolic form through various liquids - water, milk, honey and wine. These forms of cognition are analyzed in close connection with the stages and maqams, stations, each of which symbolizes certain moral and psychological states on the path of knowing the God. Various approaches to tariqa that exist in the scientific literature are considered. Particular attention is paid to the principles and methodology of considering this complex problem. When investigating the path of mystical comprehension of the God, the authors also relied on source literature. The value of this research and its practical significance are revealed. Keywords: Sufism, tariqa, sharia, maarifa, haqiqa, nafs, fana.