Difference Wiki

Islam vs. Sufism

Both Islam and Sufism are associated with one ideology. In fact, Islam is the main ideology and Sufism is the one main part of this ideology. Before revealing the difference between two it is very important to understand them one by one.

Key Differences

Islam focused on the adherence to Islamic law while Sufism emphasizes on spirituality.
First fundamental difference between Islam and Sufism is about the perception of God. Islam clearly states two guidelines - Quran and Hadith- in order to approach to God. While Sufism mostly believes on ritualistic practices and apparently less follow Quran and Hadith.
Music of any kind and dance is disallowed according to Quranic verses while in Sufism music in shape of Qawwali and dance in shape of Wajd or Raqs is allowed.
Islam is a religion while Sufism is the part of Islam.
Janet White
Apr 09, 2015
Dikhr - a practice of repeating the names of God - has very importance in Sufism ideology while in Islam it has also its value but less than Sufism.
Aimie Carlson
Apr 09, 2015

Islam and Sufism Definitions

Islam

A monotheistic religion characterized by the doctrine of absolute submission to God and by reverence for Muhammad as the chief and last prophet of God.
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Sufism

Islamic mysticism.

Islam

The people or nations that practice Islam; the Muslim world.

Sufism

A refined mysticism among certain classes of Mohammedans, particularly in Persia, who hold to a kind of pantheism and practice extreme asceticism in their lives.

Islam

The civilization developed by the Muslim world.

Sufism

Islamic mysticism

Islam

The religion of the Mohammedans; Mohammedanism; Islamism. Their formula of faith is: There is no God but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.
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Islam

The whole body of Mohammedans, or the countries which they occupy.

Islam

The religion of Muslims collectively which governs their civilization and way of life; the predominant religion of northern Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan and Indonesia

Islam

The monotheistic religion of Muslims founded in Arabia in the 7th century and based on the teachings of Muhammad as laid down in the Koran;
The term Muhammadanism is offensive to Muslims who believe that Allah, not Muhammad, founded their religion

What is Islam?

Islam is the second largest religion of the world that was formed by Prophet Ibrahim (عليهم السلام) and carried on by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The believer of Islam are known as Muslims. Islam is based on the fundamental principle that God – also known as ALLAH – is one and incomparable and the purpose of existence of Muslims is to worship God. Muslims also believe that Islam is ultimate religion for practice for all human beings till the day of judgment. Muslims are mostly divided in two school of thoughts: Sunni (85 to 90%) and Shia (10 to 15%) and both sectors have their sub-sectors or school of thoughts as well.

What is Sufism?

Sufism is a thought of Islam that mainly focused on the inner values of a person. Some academics have argued that Sufism is like Neo-Platonism. Sufism is purely based on the teaching of Islam and Islamic Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Bayazid Bastami, Jalaluddin Rumi, Haji Bektash Veli, Junaid Baghdadi, Al-Ghazali, Mansur Al Hallaj, etc. were some famous traditional Sufi of Islam. Some scholars argued that Sufism is a general term that is present in almost every religion in different shapes while others believe Sufism to be totally unique to Islam. A follower and practitioner of this thought is generally known as Sufi and all Sufi orders follow the original percepts of Islamic Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

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