Sufism as a Universal Spiritual Path Toward Peace

Introduction: Sufism as a Bridge Between the Mundane and the Divine

Sufism is more than just "the inner or esoteric dimension of Islam" (Nasr 5). Sufism is one of the few spiritual paths that recognizes, embraces, and encourages a universal religious sentiment that transcends differences of gender, culture, and politics. Because of its universalism and incessant truth-seeking, Sufism presents itself as a nearly perfect path to tread toward peace. Sufism plays, or at least can play, a major role in remedying many of the world's political, social, economic, and spiritual ills. As a practice bridge between the mundane and the Divine, Sufism also serves as a theoretical bridge that can link together seemingly disparate forces that struggle and wage war on a daily basis.

Those struggles may operate on external or political levels — such as conservative vs. liberal, or Christian vs. Muslim — or they may be the struggles that bubble to the surface within the individual human soul. Sufism recognizes the connection between the microcosm (the individual person) and the macrocosm (God). This fundamental worldview shapes the teaching that individuals have a role and responsibility in transforming the world. When an individual transforms the little self into the Self that is One with God, he or she completes a radical spiritual transformation. This transformation is meaningful not only on the level of the individual human being experiencing bliss and ecstasy — although bliss and ecstasy are certainly considered important levels of spiritual consciousness and worthy attainments by the Sufi mystics. There is more to the Sufi spiritual quest than the personal experience of ecstasy. From that point of spiritual power and empowerment also comes the ability to transform the world.

Sufism, Shari'ah Law, and the Universal Truth

Although Sufism is clearly a universal spiritual path that appeals to all people, it is undeniably rooted in Islam. As a deepening of Islam, Sufism acknowledges Shari'ah law "as the basis of religious life" (Nasr 4). Much debate has occurred in the mainstream media about Shari'ah law due to its misinterpretation by religious fundamentalists. At its heart, however, Shari'ah law is simply the law of God made manifest on Earth. Sufism recognizes that even Shari'ah law has its limitations and boundaries. Shari'ah law operates mainly in the immediate or mundane dimension, "limited to the plane of action, the performance of good acts, and faith in the reality of God" (Nasr 5). Sufism takes Shari'ah law a step further "toward that Truth" — called Haqiqah — which is "also the source of Shari'ah" (Nasr 5).

Thus, Sufism points the individual to the source of Shari'ah law: the reason for its very existence. Sufism can therefore illuminate the reason and Truth behind any political, social, or religious code. It is a natural, disciplined, personal extension of Shari'ah and any other spiritual code. Moreover, Shari'ah and Islam are not presented as singular paths toward reaching the Haqiqah, or Truth. Sufism recognizes the multiplicity of methods of being One with God. This embracing of Oneness is what makes Sufism one of the most relevant spiritual paths in the world today. As Nasr puts it, "The message of Sufism is perennial because human nature is always human nature, beyond accidental changes of historical epochs and fashions of the day, and also because as long as we are human" we will always seek an answer to the ultimate spiritual questions: who am I and why am I here? (6).

Poetry as a Universal Language of the Sufi Path

Sufi poet Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi wrote poetry expressing the universalism of the spiritual path. In no uncertain terms, Rumi spells out the fact that God knows no religion:

"Neither a Christian am I, nor Jew, nor Magian nor Muslim
Neither of the East am I nor West, nor of the land, nor sea
Nor from Adam nor Eve nor of Eden, nor paradise or its porter
My place is the placeless, my mark the markless;
Not either body nor soul for I am myself the Beloved"

— Rumi, from Diwan-i-Shams-i-Tabrizi

Poetry is an integral part of the Sufi canon because poetry is itself a universal and transcendent language. Unlike the heavy prose that weighs down traditional religious texts, Sufi poetry has the potential to liberate the mind and engender the experience of ecstasy. To reach the Truth, one enters "a blessed state" — a mystical state that connotes actual union with God (Nasr 10). The experience of this blessed state is open to all persons.

Conclusion: Sufism and the Transformation of the World

A universal message is required to eliminate the boundaries and barriers that prevent peace. Sufism uses the universal language of love poetry to convey the ideal relationship that can be cultivated between all human beings and God. Although rooted in Islam, Sufism embraces all religious traditions as paths leading to the ultimate Truth. It understands the political importance of spiritual quests as necessary for liberating the individual from selfish concerns and negativity. The ability of Sufism to help individuals change their own lives and worldviews makes it an important intellectual, emotional, and spiritual path. Sufism works on both the personal and the political level, and therefore holds the potential to change the world.

Works Cited

Attar of Nishapur. Conference of Birds. Excerpts available at: http://wahiduddin.net/sufi/sufi_poetry.htm#Attar

Nasr, Seyyed Hossein. "What it Means to be Human." In The Garden of Truth: The Vision and Promise of Sufism, Islam's Mystical Tradition. New York: Harper Collins, 2007.

Rumi. Divan-e-Shams. Translated by Shahriar Shahriari. Retrieved online:

Schimmel, Annemarie. Mystical Dimensions of Islam.