What Sufism is
Sufism, known in Arabic as tasawwuf, is generally described as the mystical dimension of Islam. Its followers seek closeness to God through inner purification, devotion and the remembrance of God. Sufism is not a separate religion or a single sect; Sufis can be Sunni or Shia, and Sufi ideas have shaped Muslim poetry, music and devotional life across many regions. For the broader concept, see what mysticism is.
Exoteric and esoteric in Islam: zahir and batin
“Exoteric” refers to the outer, public dimension of a tradition; “esoteric” refers to its inner, deeper meaning. In Islamic vocabulary, these are often expressed as:
- Zahir, the apparent or outer: law, ritual, and the plain meaning of the Quran.
- Batin, the hidden or inner: the spiritual meaning and the cultivation of the heart.
Most Muslim thinkers see the two as complementary. Practice of the outer law is generally seen as the foundation, while the inner dimension concerns sincerity, awareness of God and character. How the inner meaning should be approached, and who may speak authoritatively about it, are matters of long debate. A popular summary: the “esoteric version” of Islam is not a separate faith but the inner emphasis within it, most associated with Sufism.
Core ideas of Sufi mysticism
- Purification of the self (tazkiyah), working on pride, greed and attachment.
- Love and longing for God, expressed strongly in poetry. See Rumi’s mystical teachings.
- Remembrance (dhikr), the repeated mention of God’s names or phrases.
- A guide (sheikh or murshid), a teacher who guides the seeker, typically within a lineage.
- Stages and states, describing the traveler’s progress and passing spiritual conditions. Compare the staged paths in the three stages of the mystical path.
Some Sufi thinkers spoke of annihilation (fana) of the self in God and subsistence (baqa) afterward. Different authors understood these terms differently, and not all would describe them as union.
Sufi orders and practices
Many Sufis belong to tariqas (orders) such as the Qadiri, Naqshbandi, Chishti and Mevlevi. Practices vary by order and may include silent or spoken dhikr, recitation, study and, in some orders, music and movement. The Mevlevi order is known for the whirling ceremony; see whirling dervishes and the Sema ceremony. For a common question about conduct, see whether Sufis can drink alcohol.
The “seven” in Sufism
People searching for “the 7 in Sufism” are sometimes asking about the seven valleys described in Attar’s poem The Conference of the Birds, a mystical journey of seven stages, and sometimes about the “seven lataif,” subtle centers described in some orders. Both exist, and different orders count and name them differently. There is no single universal list of seven.
Batini: a different use of “inner”
“Batini” comes from batin and describes those who emphasized the inner meaning of scripture. The term has been historically applied to certain Shia groups, especially Ismaili movements, and was often used by critics. It is a historical label that has also been used polemically, so be careful when you meet it. Batini esotericism and Sufism overlap in vocabulary but are not the same thing. A related, frequently misunderstood term is addressed in what taqiyya actually means.
How other Muslims view Sufism
Views differ. Many Muslims across the world value Sufi traditions. Others, including some reformist and Salafi thinkers, criticize certain Sufi practices, such as veneration of saints’ tombs, as innovations. Generalizing about “what Muslims think” about Sufism is unwise.