So what about Sufi Islam?

Question

Ok, I get the difference between Shi'a and Sunni Islam but where does Sufi Islam fit into all this?

Answer 1

its not like sunni and shite, its more of a movement, so either sunnins and shites can be sufi, its just that they dance to raise awareness for allah!!!




Sufism (Arabic: تصوف, taṣawwuf‎ - Kurdish: sofîtî, f - Persian: صوفی‌گری, Sufi gari - Turkish: Tasavvuf) or Irfan (Arabic/Persian: عرفان) is a mystic tradition of Islam. Sufism encompasses a diverse range of beliefs and practises. Tariqas (Sufi orders) may be associated with Shi'a Islam, Sunni Islam, other currents of Islam, or a combination of multiple traditions. Sufi thought emerged from the Middle East in the eighth century, but adherents are now found around the world.

Sufism has produced a large body of poetry in Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Kurdish, Urdu, Punjabi, Sindhi, which notably includes the works of Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, Abdul Qader Bedil, Bulleh Shah, Amir Khusro, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast, Sultan Bahu, as well as numerous traditions of devotional dance, such as Sufi whirling, and music, such as Qawwali.

Answer 2

Well, you might try wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufi) for info on sufism; Shia and Sunni are more on political issues of Islam followers, not on its essence; while Sufi is more on how an individual may receive certain enlightment and ways of doing things under what other people may not understand cos understanding Islam poses two: those who take up the practical life issues and those who take up the depth of the teachings; like in my other answers (on dalil aqli and naqli) human needs these two.
Islam is "rahmatallil aalamiin" or blessings to the universe; be it shia or sunni or sufi, a moslem has all the obligations to make this world a better place to live. Peace be upon you!

Answer 3

The Sufi's are a sect within Islam that focus on the mystic aspects of Islam. The central doctrine of Sufiism is :

" The essence of being/Truth/God is devoid of every form and quality, and hence unmanifested, yet it is inseparable from every form and phenomenon either material or spiritual. It is often understood to imply that every phenomenon is an aspect of Truth and at the same time attribution of existence to it is false. The chief aim of all Sufis then is to let go of all notions of duality, therefore the individual self also), and realize the divine unity. "

They are the smallest, and most peaceful sect in Islam.

Answer 4

Sufi Islam is soft part of Islam always waited for its wide acceptance,but could not be accepted.because of a typical structure of Islam.The Islam is based on those principal which can not be changed and are not discussed openly.
It is a bridge between the Islam and other religion,it was a R&D of this religion but it has lost its importance now.

Answer 5

Sufis are pretty incredible and interesting - very different as far as I can tell from other (western perceptions) of Islam. They dance - they spin actually, sometimes for hours as a method of communion with spirit through higher states of consciousness (try it! If you do not fall down completely dizzy, you may discover your own divinity). They are called whirling dirvishes. I must suggest, if you are truly interested to PLEASE check out the poems of Rumi, Sufi mystic, many hundreds of years old, which are truly beautiful. I say this as someone who very rarely reads poetry. There are many books of his poems, and even a CD with very nice music accompanyment - check it out Im saying!

Answer 6

Sufi originally was concerned in developing higher levels of morality and relations with God based on doing more worshiping and lesser ties with worldly things, but today we see many inventions that is not acceptable. Unlike Shia Sufi have no political aspects.

Answer 7

A MARVELOUS LOT! I watched them in Richmond Canada one time. Dressed in ALL BLACK, Big Turban like head gear.

They are also know as WHIRLING DERVISHES!

They spin on one toe, going faster and faster, to a pretty good clip. Then slow down, tilt their head and go in to a near trance.

One Mullah with a stick, gives any that look like they are ""slipping"" a crack across the back to bring them back to reality.

This is their form of prayer/meditation.

Answer 8

it is about hi spiritualism or hallucinating I understand they are like the Gnostic Christians of old