Question

What were the major beliefs and practices of the Sufis?

Answer 1

The major beliefs of the Sufis were:

• The Sufis believed in union with *** as a lover seeking his beloved.
• They also believed that the heart could be trained to look at the world in a different way.
• They rejected the elaborate rituals and codes of behavior demanded by ** religious scholars. The Sufis developed various methods of training using Zikr (chanting of a name or sacred formula), contemplation, sama (singing), raqs (dancing), discussion of parables, breath control, etc. under the guidance of a master or pir. Thus emerged the silsilas, a genealogy of Sufi teachers, each following a slightly different method (tariqa) of instruction and ritual practice.
• They rejected idol worship and believed in one ***.
• The Sufi masters held their assemblies in their khanqahs or hospices where they discussed spiritual matters, sought the blessings of the saints in solving their worldly problems, or simply attended the music and dance sessions.