Sufism or
Tasawwuf , is defined as the inner
mystical dimension of
Islam. Practitioners of Sufism (
Tasawwuf), referred to as Sufis () (; ), often belong to different
ṭuruq or "orders"—congregations formed around a grand master referred to as a
Mawla who maintains a direct chain of teachers back to the
Prophet Muhammad. These orders meet for spiritual sessions (
majalis) in meeting places known as
zawiyahs,
khanqahs, or
tekke. Sufis strive for
ihsan (perfection of worship) as detailed in a
hadith: "Ihsan is to worship Allah as if you see Him; if you can't see Him, surely He sees you."
Jalaluddin Rumi stated: "The Sufi is hanging on to Muhammad, like Abu Bakr." Sufis regard
Prophet Muhammad as the
Al-Insān al-Kāmil, which is a concept that describes Muhammad as the primary perfect man who exemplifies the morality of God. Sufis regard Prophet Muhammad as their leader and prime spiritual guide. Sufis also consider themselves to be the true proponents of this pure, original form of Islam.
