Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that seeks to attain divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. Sufis are people who practice Sufism, and they follow various spiritual paths or orders that are led by a Sufi Guru, who is a teacher or a master of the mystical tradition.

A Sufi Guru is someone who has attained a high level of spiritual insight and authority in Sufism, and who guides and instructs his or her disciples or followers in the path of God. A Sufi Guru is also known as a wali, a friend of God, or a murshid, a guide. A Sufi Guru is the last link in a chain of teachers that goes back to the Prophet Muhammad, who is considered the first and greatest Sufi Guru.

The word Sufi comes from the Arabic word for wool, suf, which refers to the simple and coarse garments worn by early ascetics who renounced worldly pleasures and devoted themselves to God. Some scholars also derive the word from the Arabic word for purity, safā, or from the Greek word for wisdom, sophia. The word Guru comes from the Sanskrit word for heavy, guru, which implies weightiness, dignity, and respect.

Sufism emerged in the early centuries of Islam as a reaction against the materialism and corruption of the Umayyad dynasty, and as a response to the thirst for spiritual knowledge and intimacy with God. One of the earliest and most influential figures of Sufism was Hasan al-Basri, who lived in Basra, Iraq, in the 7th and 8th centuries. He taught that true piety and devotion to God required not only outward observance of Islamic law, but also inner purification of the heart and soul.

Sufism developed over time into various schools of thought and practice, each with its own doctrines, methods, and rituals. Some of the most famous Sufi orders are:

– The Qadiriyya, founded by Abdul Qadir al-Jilani in Baghdad in the 12th century. This order emphasizes the importance of love, mercy, generosity, and service to humanity. It has followers in many parts of Africa, Asia, and Europe.

– The Chishtiyya, founded by Moinuddin Chishti in India in the 13th century. This order is known for its use of music, poetry, and dance as forms of worship and remembrance of God. It has a strong presence in South Asia and Central Asia.

– The Naqshbandiyya, founded by Baha-ud-Din Naqshband in Central Asia in the 14th century. This order focuses on silent meditation and strict adherence to Islamic law. It has followers in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, and Indonesia.

– The Mevleviyya, founded by Jalaluddin Rumi in Turkey in the 13th century. This order is famous for its whirling dervishes, who spin in circles as a way of expressing their love for God. It has followers mainly in Turkey and the Balkans.

Sufism is based on two main principles: tawhid, or the unity of God, and tariqa, or the way to God. Tawhid means that there is nothing but God, and that everything in existence is a manifestation of His names and attributes. Tariqa means that there is a specific path or method to realize this unity and to attain closeness to God. This path involves following a Sufi Guru, who teaches his or her disciples how to purify their hearts from worldly attachments and egoistic desires, how to perform various forms of worship and remembrance of God (such as prayer, fasting, charity, recitation of God’s names, meditation, music, poetry, dance), and how to experience mystical states of consciousness (such as love, ecstasy, annihilation, subsistence). Sufism has been a rich and diverse tradition within Islam for over a thousand years. It has produced some of the most celebrated poets, philosophers, artists, saints, and mystics in Islamic history. It has also faced criticism and persecution from some orthodox Muslims who consider it heretical or deviant. However, Sufism has survived and thrived in many parts of the Muslim world and beyond. Today, millions of Muslims around the world identify themselves as Sufis or have some affiliation with Sufi orders. They seek to follow their Sufi Gurus as examples of spiritual excellence and as sources of guidance and inspiration.

Some famous Sufi Gurus

– **Abdul Qadir Gilani** (1077–1166), the founder of the Qadiriyya order, one of the oldest and most influential Sufi orders in the world. He was known for his piety, miracles, and spiritual authority. He is buried in Baghdad and revered by millions of Muslims. 

– **Jalal ad-Din Rumi** (1207–1273), the most celebrated Sufi poet and mystic, who composed the Mathnawi, a masterpiece of spiritual literature. He was the leader of the Mevlevi order, famous for their whirling dervish ceremonies. He is buried in Konya, Turkey, and his poetry has inspired countless people of different faiths and cultures. 

– **Ahmad al-Tijani** (1737–1815), the founder of the Tijaniyyah order, one of the largest and most widespread Sufi orders in Africa and beyond. He received a special permission from the Prophet Muhammad to initiate his followers into a unique form of dhikr (remembrance of God). He is buried in Fez, Morocco, and his shrine attracts millions of pilgrims every year. 

– **Ahmadou Bamba** (1853–1927), the founder of the Mouridiyyah order, one of the most influential Sufi movements in Senegal and West Africa. He resisted the French colonial rule through non-violent means and established a thriving community of disciples based on hard work, education, and devotion. He is buried next to the Great Mosque of Touba, which he built and which is one of the largest mosques in Africa. 

– **Syed Faiz-ul Hassan Shah** (1878–1964), a prominent Sufi scholar and preacher of Pakistan. He belonged to the Chishti order and was a disciple of Pir Allo Mahar. He wrote many books on various aspects of Islam and Sufism and was known for his eloquence, charisma, and miracles. He is buried in Sargodha, Pakistan, and his shrine is visited by thousands of devotees. 

l is to achieve a state of spiritual enlightenment and experience deep love and peace. Sufi meditation is usually guided by a spiritual teacher (Guru).