Sufism, or Tasawwuf, is Islamic mysticism: a tradition woven into the history of Islam, dating back to its very foundation. The focus of the Sufi path is devotion, contemplation, learning, and purifying the heart.
As an integral dimension of Islam, Sufism manifests as a host of Tariqas (orders) led by teachers and their followers (called Mureeds), who compose a vast network of adherents spanning the Earth, from West Africa to the Middle East, to the Indian Subcontinent, Indonesia and China, and all the way round to the “West”.
Sufism shares similar touchpoints to the mystical traditions of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and other religions, representing a metaphysical journey towards understanding oneself and God. In this process, Sufis often turn to creative arts including poetry, music, and visual arts, as powerful vehicles aiding connection with the Divine.
Songs and rhythms in particular can be used to attain a state of heightened awareness and presence. The heritage of this tradition manifests in different practices around the Muslim world, such as the Sema of the ‘Whirling Dervishes’ from Turkey, in which a spinning movement is intended to honour God and cultivate peaceful presence. Another well-known example is Qawwali, a South Asian poetic and musical tradition with a 700-year history.
Perhaps the most famous representatives of the artistic heritage of Sufism are its poets, most notably Mevlana Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, a 13th century cleric and mystic from Persia who is today the best-selling poet in the United States. His 800-year old epic the Mathnawi is hailed by scholars as the greatest piece of mystical poetry ever written, and the foremost Sufi commentary on the Qur’an.
It is said that when Rumi died, after writing countless verses and three epics dedicated to a great inimical love for his fellow human beings and for God, mourners of all religions and backgrounds came from far and wide to attend his funeral.
All are welcome on this caravan of love!