Salient Features of Sufism:

There were a number of features which are common to all Sufi orders.

(i) Sufism, as it developed in the Islamic world, came to stress the importance of traversing the Sufi path (Tariqa), as a method of establishing direct communion with the divine reality (Haqiqat).

(ii) According to the Sufi beliefs, the novice has to pass through a succession of “stations” or “stages”(Maqamat) and changing psychological conditions or “states” (Hal) to experience God.

(iii) The Sufi path could be traversed only under the strict supervision of a spiritual director (Shaikh, Pir or Murshid) who had himself successfully traversed it and consequently established direct communion with the God.

(iv) The disciple (Murid) progressed through the “stages” and “states” by practising such spiritual exercises, as self-mortification, recollection of God’s name to attain concentration (Zikr) and contemplation.

(v) The sufis organised impassioned musical recital (Sama). The practice of Sama was intended to induce a mystical state of ecstasy. However, some Sufi orders did not approve of certain forms of Sama’ and the Ulema was particularly hostile to this practice.

(vi) Yet another feature of Sufism is the organisation of the sufis into various orders (Silsilah). Each of these Silsilah e.g. Suhrawardi, Qadiri, Chishti, etc. were founded by a leading figure, who lent his name to it. A Silsilah consisted of persons who had become disciples of a particular Sufi.

(vii) The hospice (Khanqah) was the centre of the activities of a Sufi order. It was the place where the Pir imparted spiritual training to his disciples. The popularity of the Khanqah and its capacity to attract disciples depended on the reputation of the Pir. The Khanqahs were supported by endowment and charity.