Video
Articles And Essays
Religion Behind the Scenes
Podcasts
Featured Writers
Buddhism
Catholic
Contemplative
Evangelical
General Christian
Hindu
Jewish
Latter-day Saint
More Voices
Muslim
New Visions
Pagan
Progressive Christian
Entertainment
Life Events
Book Club
Politics Blue
Docsology
Politics Red
Movie Club
Public Square
Family And Relationships
See All Topics
TOP COLUMNISTS
Jack Lee
Evangelical
Eric Richards
Latter-day Saint
Peter T. Chattaway
Entertainment
Sunil Daman
Hindu
Keith Giles
Progressive Christian
Roger Olson
Evangelical
Fr Matthew P. Schneider, LC
Catholic
see all columnists
NEW Patheos Answers
Faith Leaders Database
Anglican Episcopalian
Bahai
Baptist
Buddhism
Christianity
Confucianism
Eastern Orthodoxy
Hinduism
Holiness and Pentecostal
ISKCON
Islam
Judaism
Lutheran
Methodist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
New Age
Paganism
Presbytarian and Reformed
Protestantism
Roman Catholic
Scientology
Shia Islam
Sikhism
Sufism
Sunni Islam
Taoism
Zen
See all religions
Research Tools
Comparison Lens
Preacher Resources
Teacher Resources
Newsletters
Books of the Bible Study series
History of the Bible
7 Day Prayer Challenge for Spouses
A Different Kind of Christian
Jesus is Love
Prayer Devotional
The Saints We Love
FaithChatter Conversation Cards
Featured Writers
Articles And Essays
Religion Behind the Scenes
Video
Podcasts
See All
RELIGION LIBRARY
Sufism
Toggle navigation
Overview
Origins
History
Beliefs
Rituals and Worship
Ethics and Community
Sacred Time
In addition to customary Muslim practices, Sufi practitioners cultivate a rich inner life that analyzes temporary states of being called "hals" on the path to achieving more permanent heights of spiritual enlightenments called stations, or "maqam."
read more
Sacred Space
Many Sufi lodges developed around the shrines or tombs dedicated to founders of a particular "tariqa" or order. These lodges could serve as residences to members of an order, or as schools or hostels for visitors and travelers.
read more
Rites and Ceremonies
"Dhikr," or remembrance of God, is the central ceremony in Sufi practice and is performed in addition to regular daily prayers. Comprised of voluntary prayers that may be performed at any time, and invocations of God, "dhikr's" meaning and form are derived from an understanding of the Quran.
read more
Worship and Devotion in Daily Life
In addition to ceremonial practices, the daily life of the Sufi is shaped by the paradigm of worship as a path to God. Each day and each moment is seen as an opportunity to remember God while disciplining the soul.
read more
Symbolism
The most enduring symbol of Sufi belief is the veil, or the "paradox of the Veil." This veil is a barrier between humans and True Reality, and overcoming it, or seeing past it, is the aim of the Sufi.
read more
Beliefs
Ethics and Community
Back to religion Library
editors picks
View All Columns
Evangelical
Before You Unplug or Sign Out for Good
Guest Contributor
Evangelical
What Is the Purpose of Spiritual Gifts, and How Do You Discover Yours?
Randy Alcorn
New Visions
5 Ways to Hear What God is Telling You
Tom Rapsas
Muslim
How Awake Are We? When Waking Up is Falling Asleep
Daniel Thomas Dyer
Latter-day Saint
"The Church supports the use of vaccinations"
Dan Peterson
Evangelical
Luther and the Beauty of Christ
Guest Contributor
Entertainment
The Soul of Gospel Music Explored in New Netflix Series "Voices of Fire"
DeWayne Hamby
Contemplative
Seven Ways to Think About Christian Mysticism
Carl McColman
Evangelical
Cancelling Alice Walker?
Philip Jenkins
Evangelical
Does God Have His Own Logic?
Roger E. Olson
Patheos
Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.
Close Ad