The Arabic word tasawwuf (lit. 'being or becoming a Sufi'), generally translated as Sufism, is commonly defined by Western authors as Islamic mysticism. The Arabic term Sufi has been … See more

Origins
The current consensus is that Sufism emerged in the Hejaz, and that it has existed as a practice of Muslims from the earliest days of … See more

While all Muslims believe that they are on the pathway to Allah and hope to become close to God in Paradise—after death and after the See more

Walī (Arabic: ولي, plural ʾawliyāʾ أولياء) is an Arabic word whose literal meanings include "custodian", "protector", "helper", and "friend". In the vernacular, it is most commonly used by Muslims to indicate an Islamic saint, otherwise referred to by the more literal "friend … See more

The original meaning of ṣūfī seems to have been "one who wears wool (ṣūf)", and the Encyclopaedia of Islam calls other etymological … See more

The devotional practices of Sufis vary widely. Prerequisites to practice include rigorous adherence to Islamic norms (ritual prayer in its five prescribed times each day, the fast of … See more

Traditional Islamic scholars have recognized two major branches within the practice of Sufism and use this as one key to differentiating … See more