Sufi practitioners were Islamic mystics who sought a direct, personal experience with God through meditation, asceticism, and rituals. They emphasized spiritual connection and inner purification.
Related terms
Dervishes: Dervishes were members of Sufi orders who performed ecstatic spinning dances known as "whirling" or "sama". These dances were meant to induce a trance-like state and enhance their spiritual connection.
Tariqa: Tariqa refers to the various Sufi orders or brotherhoods that developed over time. Each tariqa had its own specific practices, rituals, and teachings.
Zikr: Zikr is a form of repetitive remembrance or chanting used by Sufis to focus their minds on God. It involves the repetition of sacred words or phrases to achieve spiritual enlightenment.