What is Sufism?
Saladdin Said Ahmed
Forum Philosophicum November 1, 2008 DOI: 10.35765/forphil.2008.1302.19 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that Sufism is best understood as the spirituality or mystical dimension of Islam, an inward approach that emerged and flourished in non-Arab parts of the Islamic world, and aims to give a concrete account of its major features within Islamic tradition and history. |
Abstract
Most Western scholars define Sufism as the spirituality of Islam or the mystical version of Islam. It is thought to be the inward approach to Islam that emerged and flourished in the non-Arab parts of the Islamic world. Most scholars like William Stoddart think that Sufism is to Islam what Yoga is to Hinduism, Zen to Buddhism, and mysticism to Christianity. In this essay, I will shed light on the major lines and elements in the philosophy of Sufism. I will try to give a concrete account of Sufism by introducing its major features within the relevant Islamic tradition and history.