{"id":1316,"date":"2022-05-23T15:31:25","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T15:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysteriumacademy.com\/?p=1316"},"modified":"2023-05-09T17:23:40","modified_gmt":"2023-05-09T17:23:40","slug":"whats-the-difference-between-islam-and-sufism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysteriumacademy.com\/whats-the-difference-between-islam-and-sufism\/","title":{"rendered":"Sufism and Islam: The Differences Between Them Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"
The relationship between Sufism and Islam is complex and ever evolving, and there are many different understandings and perspectives on what exactly Sufism is.<\/p>\n
Sufism emerged as a tendency within Islam, and is different than Islam in that it preaches an ascetic lifestyle, and is focused on achieving a personal mystical connection with God, often through the practice of repetitious recitals of chants, as well as dancing.<\/strong><\/p>\n Often called Islamic mysticism, but sometimes seen as being separate from Islam, Sufism\u2019s role in human consciousness is evolving, as Sufism has been rejected by many aspects of Islam, while at the same time embraced by the west. Many contemporary spiritual movements have recognized the profound richness that Sufism has to offer, and incorporated it into their philosophies.<\/p>\n The Sufis believe in attaining union with God through a state of ecstasy. In contrast, Islam teaches that only Mohamed the prophet could directly experience God.<\/p>\n Sufism is known as Tasawwuf in Islam, and started in the 8th<\/sup> century. By the 12th century, Sufism had become very widespread and popular, as it formalized some of its teachings, and formed orders around Sufi saints and teachers. \u00a0Sufism emerged within an Islamic framework, though aspects of Sufism did already exist prior to Sufism, such as in Neoplatonism and Hermeticism.<\/p>\n The early Sufis of the 8th<\/sup> century took the Quran and the Hadith as their starting point, and added ascetic practices in order to deepen and purify their connection with the divine. The Sufis believe in finding the truth of divine love through direct experience of God.<\/p>\n This may have been partially also due to Sufism disenchantment with the luxurious lifestyles of the wealthy Muslims, in particular Umayyad Caliphate the dynasty who ruled the empire at the time, and enjoyed massive wealth as their empire quickly expanded.<\/p>\n During the 7th <\/sup>century, the Arabs conquered vast areas of land in the Middle East, as well as North Africa, and even to India. This meant that their society came into contact with many religious and philosophical traditions. The Christian monastics who lived in the middle east at the time were probably an influence on Sufism.<\/p>\n Through the practice of Dhikr, which is a Sufi form of meditation that involves repeatedly chanting phrases or prayers, the Sufis attempt to achieve the state of ecstasy that will bring them into direct connection with God.<\/p>\n Along with Dhikr, they also practice Sama, the spiritual audition, involving songs and dance. Other Sufi practices include chanting called \u201cMuraqba\u201d, and \u201cZikr\u201d. To mainstream Islam, dancing and chanting is not a part of their practice, however, they do pray five times a day.<\/p>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sufism is About a Mystical Personal Connection with God<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sufism Practices Asceticism and Rejects Material Wealth<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Sufism Practices Music and Dance as Ways of Worship<\/strong><\/h2>\n