The Goals of Islamic Sufism and Its Effects on Human Life

Abstract

Islamic Sufism represents a large part of the Muslim heritage. It is necessary to study it to distinguish what is beneficial from what is harmful, guidance from misguidance, reform what can be reformed, and reject what cannot be accepted. The goals of Islamic Sufism are to purify souls, because correct behavior and the purification of souls are among the greatest matters of religion and its most noble characteristics. Our righteous predecessors paid attention to legitimate behavior in both knowledge and practice. Outward behavior is associated with inner faith, and outward righteousness stems from inner righteousness. Despite the great need to understand behavior in both knowledge and practice, we may not find contemporary writings that address the behavioral aspect through the methodology of the Sunnis. This is in addition to the many violations and deviations from proper behavior by a large number of Sunnis, let alone others. Now, where are the goals of Sufism and its effects on human life, God willing?