Sufism is a major religious movement within Sunni and Shia Islam that is generally described as Islamic mysticism.
While Sharia provided the duties, the rights, and the order for the life of individual Muslims and the Muslim community, Sufism provided a spiritual path through which a Sufi could, not only follow but know God. The traditional Islamic way of life was expressed in the Sharia, but Sufism appealed to those who felt the need for more than mere obedience to the will of God.
Most Sufis were Sunni Muslims, but strands of Sufism developed within the Shiites as well.
The Sufis developed an ascetic lifestyle of detachment from the material world, striving not to be detached from God. They feared God, strictly observed Islamic law, and led a strong prayer life.
Many of them took to wearing simple woolen clothing, emphasizing their detachment from the world, which may have been how their movement got its name, as sufi means "one who wears wool."
This early focus on ascetic detachment and meditation evolved into a devotional love of God. Over the years, the lives, teachings, and examples of the Sufis provided the core of beliefs that later generations would build upon. Sufism became a major movement in Islam.
At points in Islamic history, Sufi idealism was met with suspicion, hostility, persecution, and executions, particularly in the 11th and 12th centuries.
This period also saw the formation of the first lasting Sufi orders, transforming from loose associations into organized religious orders. By the 13th century, Sufi orders were built upon the traditional master and student relationships.
Sufi centers served as social, cultural, and spiritual centers for Islamic communities which developed their own forms of monastic rule, which varied from order to order, and may have differed according to a geographic area, as well.
At the center of Sufi belief is that the self must die in order to make room for God. The goal of the Sufi was and is to gain direct knowledge of God, and a personal religious experience of the presence of God. The Sufi master (shaykh) leads disciples through stages of discipline, such as renunciation, purification, and insight, and along the way, the disciple is rewarded by God through the granting of various religious experiences.
In order to pass through these stages, the Sufi adopts certain practices, such as poverty, fasting, celibacy, silence, and other disciplines designed to train the mind and to reduce distraction.
In some orders, other disciplines are employed. These may include breathing exercises, meditation, and chanting, as well as the use of music, song, or dance.
It's not a perfect example by any means, but Sufism might be compared to charismatic Christianity in that the Sufi is seeking a more personal experience with God.
Major Sufi orders include Bektashi, Chishti, Kubrawiya, Mawiawiyya, Muridiyya, Naqshbandi, Nimatullahi, Qadiri, Senussi, Shadiliyya, Suhrawardiyya, and Tijaniyya.
The focus of this category is on Sufism, Sufis, and related topics. While it is understood that Sufism is not a denomination or sect within Islam, but a movement within the existing Islamic denominations, we have elected to place the category here, as Sufism is found in both Shi'a and Sunni Islam.
Recommended Resources
The Core Spirituality website deals with spirituality as inspired by the teachings and principles of Meher Baba, an Indian spiritual master who claimed to be the Avatar. The site offers spiritual guidance on how to live and transform oneself, as well as an overview of his concept of the open circle, a spiritual concept allowing the freedom to explore. Core Spirituality principles and practices, and the Meher Darshan Universal Spiritual Center and Circle School are highlighted.
http://www.corespirituality.com/
International Association of Sufism
Based in California, the IAS is a United Nations NGO, founded in 1983 to serve as a global forum for Sufis, scholars, interfaith leaders, poets, and artists from varying cultures, nations, and schools, acting on Sufi principles to promote human rights and equality. An overview of the organization, its history, founders, and membership policies are set forth, along with a calendar of events, an overview of its services, and a profile of Sufism.
http://www.ias.org/
The message and formation of there ISM is presented here, including biographical sketches of early leaders, a statement of purpose, goals, and associated organizations. Contacts and a calendar of events, its symbology, organizational structure, and an overview of Sufism in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, and the United States is included. Books on Sufism may be purchased online.
http://www.sufimovement.org/
Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order of America
The Naqshbandi Haqqani Sufi Order is based on Shari'ah, the Qur'an, and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, as well as the teachings of the Naqshbandi silsilah. An introduction to the Tarqa is presented, including its origins, concepts, living masters, and work in the United States. Other informational topics and teachings are presented, including refutations and sermons. Other topics include daily practices, prayer, etiquette, and a calendar of events.
http://naqshbandi.org/
Featured is a description of Sufism in general, and the Nimatullahi Order in particular, including a history of the Order, biographical sketches of significant people connected with the Order, discourses, informational articles, poetry, and a glossary of terms. Its practices, methods, principles, and charitable works are highlighted, with information on becoming a disciple and being initiated. Centers in North America, Eastern and Western Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are included.
http://www.nimatullahi.org/
Free downloadable books by Sufi authors are available here, in PDF format, along with downloadable Sufi music from Turkey, Pakistan, India, and the Middle East. Other resources include Sufi poetry and quotations, biographies and stories of Sufi saints, a travel guide for pilgrimages to Sufi and Islamic holy sites, free Islamic apps and software for the iPhone, Android, and PCs, Sufi artwork, clipart, and other resources.
http://www.thesufi.com/
Rooted in the traditions of Sufism, and inspired by the teachings and work of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, the Threshold Society is a non-profit educational foundation charged with facilitating divine unity, love and truth in the world. An introduction of Sufism is presented, along with its origins, a schedule of the organization's events and courses. Books, music, and other resources are available for purchase.
https://sufism.org/
