Mysticism and mystical doctrine of Islam.
Rooted in early Islamic spirituality and in the teachings of the Prophet, Sufism as such emerged around the 8ᵗʰ century, the first Sufis being ascetics devoted to a simple life and to spiritual discipline.
Over the centuries, Sufism became organized into ṭarīqas (brotherhoods), each following a spiritual master (shaykh) and his specific teachings. These orders spread throughout the Muslim world, contributing to the diversity of Sufi practices and doctrines.
More precisely
The term “Sufi” is often connected to the Arabic word ṣūf (“wool”), referring to the woolen garment worn by early ascetics; other etymologies link it to ṣafāʾ (“purity”).
In any case, the essential dimension is inner: the aim is to purify the heart and draw near to God by direct knowledge (maʿrifa) and love.
Classically, Sufism distinguishes three dimensions of the spiritual path:
— sharīʿa, the religious law;
— ṭarīqa, the initiatic path;
— ḥaqīqa, the ultimate truth.
The Sufi path relies on initiatic transmission from master to disciple and on spiritual practices: dhikr (remembrance of the Divine Name), meditation, invocation, musical audition (samāʿ), service, etc.
Fundamentally, Sufism seeks the realization of spiritual union with God (tawḥīd) and the inner knowledge of the supreme Reality.
Further reading
- Ibn ʿArabī (1165–1240), The Meccan Revelations; The Bezels of Wisdom — metaphysics of Unity.
- Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī (1207–1273), Mathnawī — mystical poetry.
- Al-Ghazālī (1058–1111), Revival of the Religious Sciences — integration of Sufism within Sunni orthodoxy.
- Al-Hallāj (858–922), mystic martyr; famous for the statement “Ana al-Ḥaqq” (“I am the Truth”).
- Henry Corbin, Creative Imagination in the Sufism of Ibn ʿArabī.
- Titus Burckhardt, An Introduction to Sufi Doctrine.
- Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Sufism: Love and Wisdom — on the initiatic and metaphysical dimensions of Sufism.