Sufism and Islamic Mysticism: The Esoteric Side of Islam

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: The Inner Dimension of Islam

When most people think of Islam, they envision the Five Pillars, the Quran, and the outward practices of the faith. But Islam, like all major religions, has an inner, mystical dimension—a path of direct experience of the Divine, ecstatic love, and spiritual transformation.

This is Sufism: the mystical heart of Islam. While orthodox Islam emphasizes law, ritual, and submission to Allah's will, Sufism emphasizes love, direct experience, and union with the Divine. It's the difference between knowing about God and knowing God.

This guide explores what Sufism is, its history and practices, key concepts and teachers, its relationship to orthodox Islam, and why this beautiful mystical tradition matters for understanding both Islam and the universal human quest for divine connection.

What Is Sufism?

Definition

Sufism (Arabic: تصوف, tasawwuf) is the mystical, esoteric dimension of Islam, focused on purifying the heart, experiencing divine love, and achieving spiritual union with Allah.

The Name

The origin of "Sufi" is debated:

• Suf (wool): Early ascetics wore simple wool garments
• Safa (purity): Emphasis on spiritual purity
• Suffah: Companions of the Prophet who lived in poverty
• Sophia (wisdom): Greek influence (less likely)

Core Characteristics

• Inward focus: The heart and inner experience over external ritual
• Divine love: Love of Allah as the primary motivation
• Direct experience: Personal encounter with the Divine
• Spiritual transformation: Purification of the ego (nafs)
• Union with God: The ultimate goal (though understood in various ways)
• Teacher-student relationship: Guidance from a sheikh or murshid
• Practices: Dhikr, meditation, music, poetry, dance

Historical Development

Early Period (7th-9th Centuries)

Roots in the Quran and Prophet Muhammad

• Quranic emphasis on remembrance of Allah (dhikr)
• Muhammad's night journey (Isra and Mi'raj) as mystical experience
• Early companions known for asceticism and devotion
• Emphasis on ihsan (spiritual excellence): "Worship Allah as if you see Him"

Early Ascetics

• Hasan al-Basri (642-728): Early ascetic and preacher
• Rabia al-Adawiyya (717-801): Female saint, emphasized divine love
• Development of ascetic practices: Fasting, night vigils, poverty

Classical Period (9th-13th Centuries)

Systematization of Sufi Thought

• Al-Muhasibi (781-857): Self-examination and inner states
• Al-Junayd (830-910): "Sober" Sufism, systematic teachings
• Al-Hallaj (858-922): "I am the Truth" (Ana al-Haqq) - executed for apparent blasphemy
• Al-Ghazali (1058-1111): Integrated Sufism with orthodox Islam in "The Revival of Religious Sciences"

Sufi Orders (Tariqas) Emerge

• Organized spiritual paths with specific practices
• Teacher lineages and initiation
• Communal practices and lodges (khanqahs)

Golden Age (12th-14th Centuries)

Great Sufi Poets and Teachers

• Ibn Arabi (1165-1240): "Greatest Master," complex metaphysical system
• Rumi (1207-1273): Persian poet, founder of Mevlevi Order (Whirling Dervishes)
• Attar (1145-1221): "Conference of the Birds," allegorical poetry
• Hafiz (1315-1390): Persian poet of divine love

Spread of Sufi Orders

• Qadiriyya, Naqshbandiyya, Chishtiyya, Shadhiliyya, and others
• Sufism spreads across the Islamic world
• Integration with local cultures

Modern Period (19th Century-Present)

• Colonial period: Sufi orders sometimes resist colonialism
• Reform movements: Some Muslims reject Sufism as innovation (bid'ah)
• Wahhabism and Salafism: Strongly oppose Sufi practices
• Western interest: Rumi becomes bestselling poet in America
• Contemporary revival: Renewed interest in traditional Sufism

Core Concepts and Teachings

The Path (Tariqa)

Sufism describes a spiritual journey with stages:

The Stations (Maqamat)

Permanent spiritual attainments:

1. Tawba (Repentance): Turning away from sin
2. Wara (Scrupulousness): Avoiding doubtful things
3. Zuhd (Renunciation): Detachment from worldly things
4. Faqr (Poverty): Spiritual poverty and dependence on Allah
5. Sabr (Patience): Endurance in trials
6. Tawakkul (Trust): Complete reliance on Allah
7. Rida (Contentment): Satisfaction with Allah's will

The States (Ahwal)

Temporary spiritual experiences:

• Qabdh (Contraction): Spiritual constriction or fear
• Bast (Expansion): Spiritual joy and openness
• Fana (Annihilation): Dissolution of the ego in Allah
• Baqa (Subsistence): Abiding in Allah after fana

The Nafs (Ego/Self)

Sufism teaches purification of the nafs through stages:

1. Nafs al-Ammara: The commanding self (evil-inclined)
2. Nafs al-Lawwama: The self-accusing self (conscience awakens)
3. Nafs al-Mulhima: The inspired self
4. Nafs al-Mutma'inna: The tranquil self (at peace)
5. Nafs al-Radiyya: The pleased self
6. Nafs al-Mardiyya: The pleasing self
7. Nafs al-Safiyya/Kamila: The pure/perfected self

Divine Love (Ishq)

• Love of Allah as the primary spiritual motivation
• The Beloved (Allah) and the lover (the seeker)
• Longing, yearning, and passionate devotion
• Love poetry as spiritual expression

Unity of Being (Wahdat al-Wujud)

• Ibn Arabi's controversial teaching
• All existence is a manifestation of the One Reality (Allah)
• Nothing exists except Allah
• Debated and sometimes condemned as pantheism

The Perfect Human (Insan al-Kamil)

• The spiritually perfected person
• Muhammad as the primary example
• Reflects all divine attributes
• Bridge between divine and human realms

Sufi Practices

Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)

The central Sufi practice:

• Silent dhikr: Internal repetition of divine names
• Vocal dhikr: Chanting aloud, often in groups
• Common phrases: "La ilaha illa Allah" (No god but Allah), "Allah," divine names
• Purpose: Purify the heart, achieve presence with Allah
• States: Can lead to ecstatic experiences, trance states

Sama (Spiritual Concert)

• Listening to music and poetry
• Can include singing, instruments, and movement
• Whirling Dervishes: Mevlevi Order's spinning meditation
• Qawwali: Devotional music in South Asian Sufism
• Controversial: Some orthodox Muslims oppose music

Muraqaba (Meditation)

• Contemplative practices and visualization
• Focusing on the heart
• Presence with Allah
• Watching one's thoughts and states

Khalwa (Spiritual Retreat)

• Periods of isolation and intensive practice
• Fasting, prayer, and dhikr
• Under guidance of a sheikh
• Can last days, weeks, or longer

Service and Humility

• Serving others as serving Allah
• Humility and self-effacement
• Working on character refinement (akhlaq)

Major Sufi Orders (Tariqas)

Qadiriyya

• Founder: Abdul Qadir Gilani (1077-1166)
• Origin: Baghdad
• Spread: Worldwide, one of the largest orders
• Characteristics: Emphasis on dhikr and spiritual discipline

Naqshbandiyya

• Founder: Baha-ud-Din Naqshband (1318-1389)
• Origin: Central Asia
• Characteristics: Silent dhikr, sobriety, integration with daily life
• Influence: Strong in Turkey, Central Asia, and among converts

Chishtiyya

• Founder: Moinuddin Chishti (1141-1236)
• Origin: South Asia (India, Pakistan)
• Characteristics: Music (qawwali), service to humanity, tolerance
• Famous figures: Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrow

Mevlevi (Whirling Dervishes)

• Founder: Rumi's son Sultan Walad
• Origin: Turkey
• Characteristics: Whirling meditation (sema), poetry, music
• Symbol: The spinning dervish

Shadhiliyya

• Founder: Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili (1196-1258)
• Origin: North Africa
• Characteristics: Integration with ordinary life, litanies (wird)
• Spread: North Africa, Middle East, West

Relationship with Orthodox Islam

Points of Tension

1. Innovation (Bid'ah) Accusations

• Critics say Sufi practices aren't from the Quran or Hadith
• Music, dancing, and tomb visitation seen as innovations
• Sufis respond that practices are based on Quranic principles

2. Saint Veneration

• Visiting tombs of Sufi saints
• Seeking intercession or blessings from saints
• Critics see this as shirk (associating partners with Allah)
• Sufis distinguish between respect and worship

3. Controversial Statements

• "I am the Truth" (Al-Hallaj)
• Unity of Being teachings
• Ecstatic utterances (shatahat)
• Can sound like claiming divinity

4. Antinomianism Concerns

• Fear that mysticism leads to ignoring Islamic law
• Some Sufis accused of laxity in practice
• Tension between inner experience and outer law

Points of Integration

• Al-Ghazali's synthesis: Showed Sufism and orthodoxy are compatible
• Shariah and Tariqah: Law and mystical path as complementary
• Many scholars were Sufis: Not separate from mainstream Islam
• Popular Islam: Sufism deeply embedded in Muslim cultures

Contemporary Debates

• Salafi/Wahhabi opposition: Strong rejection of Sufism
• Traditional Sunni acceptance: Sufism as part of orthodox Islam
• Shia Sufism: Mystical traditions within Shia Islam
• Secular Muslims: Some appreciate Sufi poetry and culture

Sufi Poetry and Literature

Rumi (Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi)

Most famous Sufi poet in the West:

• Masnavi: Spiritual epic in Persian
• Divan-e Shams: Poetry dedicated to his spiritual friend Shams
• Themes: Divine love, longing, union, transformation
• Influence: Bestselling poet in America

Hafiz (Hafez Shirazi)

• Persian poet of divine love
• Ambiguous poetry—worldly love or divine love?
• Used wine and beloved as metaphors for spiritual intoxication

Attar (Farid ud-Din Attar)

• Conference of the Birds: Allegorical journey of birds seeking the Simurgh (God)
• Stages of the spiritual path
• Profound mystical teachings in story form

Ibn Arabi

• Complex metaphysical writings
• Fusus al-Hikam: "Bezels of Wisdom"
• Influenced Islamic philosophy and mysticism

Sufism and Magic

The Relationship

• Islam generally prohibits magic (sihr)
• But Sufis are sometimes associated with miraculous powers (karamat)
• Distinction between magic (forbidden) and divine gifts (permitted)

Karamat (Miracles of Saints)

• Supernatural abilities granted by Allah to saints
• Healing, knowledge of hidden things, bilocation, etc.
• Seen as signs of spiritual attainment, not personal power
• Should not be sought or displayed

Baraka (Blessing/Spiritual Power)

• Spiritual energy or blessing
• Can be transmitted through saints, objects, or places
• Seeking baraka from holy people or sites
• Controversial among strict orthodox Muslims

Talismans and Amulets

• Use of Quranic verses for protection
• Islamic calligraphy as spiritual art
• Debate about whether this is permissible

Sufism for Non-Muslims

Can Non-Muslims Practice Sufism?

This is debated:

Traditional View: No

• Sufism is inseparable from Islam
• Requires belief in Allah, Muhammad, and the Quran
• The practices assume Islamic framework
• Removing it from Islam distorts its meaning

Universalist View: With Caveats

• Some teachers welcome sincere seekers of any background
• Universal mystical truths transcend religion
• But should be approached with respect and proper context
• Conversion to Islam may be encouraged or required

Western Sufism

• Inayat Khan: Brought Sufism to the West, emphasized universalism
• Universal Sufism: Separated from Islamic practice (controversial)
• Traditional orders in the West: Maintain Islamic framework
• Debate: Can Sufism exist outside Islam?

Respectful Engagement

If you're drawn to Sufism as a non-Muslim:

• Study Islam first to understand the context
• Read Sufi poetry and teachings
• Attend public dhikr or sama if welcomed
• Consider whether conversion to Islam is right for you
• Respect that this is an Islamic tradition
• Don't appropriate or distort the teachings
• Support Muslim communities

Conclusion: The Heart of Islam

Sufism represents the mystical, esoteric dimension of Islam—the path of love, direct experience, and spiritual transformation. It reminds us that Islam, like all great religions, has both an outer form (shariah) and an inner reality (haqiqah).

Key insights from Sufism:

• Divine love as the path to God
• Direct experience over mere belief
• Purification of the heart as spiritual work
• Unity as the ultimate reality
• Beauty, poetry, and music as spiritual expressions
• The teacher-student relationship as essential
• Service and humility as spiritual practice

Whether you're Muslim seeking the inner dimension of your faith, or a non-Muslim appreciating the beauty of Islamic mysticism, Sufism offers profound teachings about the human heart's journey to the Divine.

As Rumi wrote: "Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray."

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism. She is the author of the Western Esoteric Classics series and New Age Spirituality series.