ISLAMIC MYSTICISM AND SPIRITUALITY: ANALYZING THE ROLE OF SUFISM IN MODERN MUSLIM SOCIETY
Makhrus Ali, Nina Anis, Nurul Huda, Mujiburrohman Mujiburrohman
Journal of Noesantara Islamic Studies April 30, 2026 DOI: 10.70177/jnis.v3i2.3371 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative interpretive design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Selected Sufi communities and contemporary Sufi discourses |
| Topics | Mysticism |
| Key findings | Sufism remains a meaningful and adaptive form of Islamic spirituality, contributing to personal spiritual fulfillment, ethical orientation, and social cohesion. Engagement with Sufi practices was associated with inner discipline, emotional balance, and a heightened sense of moral responsibility. |
Abstract
Islamic mysticism and spirituality have long constituted a central dimension of Muslim religious life, with Sufism serving as a primary vehicle for cultivating inner piety, ethical refinement, and experiential knowledge of the Divine. In contemporary Muslim societies shaped by modernization, globalization, and shifting religious expressions, the relevance and function of Sufism continue to be debated. This study aims to analyze the role of Sufism in modern Muslim society by examining its spiritual, ethical, and social significance within contemporary contexts. The research employed a qualitative interpretive design, drawing on semi-structured interviews, textual analysis of contemporary Sufi discourses, and observational data from selected Sufi communities. Data were analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns related to spirituality, social engagement, and adaptation to modern life. The findings reveal that Sufism remains a meaningful and adaptive form of Islamic spirituality, contributing to personal spiritual fulfillment, ethical orientation, and social cohesion. Engagement with Sufi practices was associated with inner discipline, emotional balance, and a heightened sense of moral responsibility. The study concludes that Sufism functions as a dynamic spiritual resource rather than a residual tradition, offering frameworks for meaning-making and ethical engagement in modern Muslim society.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on mysticism, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions Individuals with extensive experience administering psilocybin or psilocybin-containing... | 2017 | Survey and qualitative/quantitative analysis | n = 10 |
| Common Core Thesis and Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Mysticism in Chinese Buddhist Monks and Nuns Chinese Pure Land and Chan Buddhist monks and nuns | 2011 | Mixed-methods study | n = 139 |
| Do Drugs Have Religious Import? A 40-Year Retrospective | 2004 | Interview | |
| Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics Psychedelic drug users | 2021 | Qualitative study | n = 50 |
| Auras in mysticism and synaesthesia: a comparison. Synaesthetes who experience colors in response to human faces and figures | 2012 | Qualitative study | n = 4 |