Are Sufis and Muslims the Same?
An exploration of Islamic mysticism.
Sufism is a mystical religious sect of Islam that emphasizes the divine connection within the self. Although Sufism has, in some form, existed since the early days of Islam, the Sufi ‘canon’ became more or less established in the medieval time period, along with a formalization of the tradition altogether.
It was in this time period that Sufi poetry emerged, including the works of Rumi and Kabir. The Sufi emphasis on the divine within the self has created conflict with traditional Sunni and Shia sects of Islam, including entire governments, like Turkey, which ban the Sufi practice altogether. The pressing question for Sufis and traditional Muslims alike is: can Sufism operate within normative Islam, or must it operate outside of it? In this paper, I will argue that Sufism should be considered a legitimate part of Islam.
To determine whether or not Sufism is compatible with normative Islam, an assessment must be made about the central tenents of the Muslim faith. Conveniently, the first pillar of Islam provides a concise breakdown of what it means to bear witness to Allah. The shahadah states, “There is no god but God, and Muhammad is His messenger.”
Uttering this sentence is, theoretically, all that is required to become a Muslim. The first half of the…
