Sufism: the relevance of the islamic mystics for the historic evolution of islam

Abstract

Ascetic and mystical elements implicitly present within Islam since its beginning became explicit during the first two centuries of its history (VII andVIII AD). It as the time in which the first Muslim devotees founded communities in of what is now Iraq, Syria and Iran. In the twelfth century these communities began to spread and formed new social institutions (orders). Until the beginning of the 20th century, Islamic mysticism (Tasawwuf in Arabic) – or Sufism as it is known in the West - had great influence on the spiritual, intellectual and social life of Muslims. The article summarizes the origin, nature and goals of this religious current.