The soaring voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the ecstatic dance of the Whirling Dervishes, the rapturous verse of Jalaluddin Rumi--all are expressions of Sufism, often regarded as the mystical tradition of Islam. Who are the Sufis? They are more than mystics; they are empowered by the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammed. The are guided by saints and masters. They belong to orders ranging for North Africa and Turkey to India and Central Asia. In addition to prayer and fasting, they practice techniques of meditation. They recite poetry, delight in music, and perform dance, all towards one goal--union with God, the Divine Beloved. This comprehensive introduction clarifies the concept of Sufism and discusses its origin and develpment. In addition, the author discusses the important issues of Sufism's relationship with the larger Islamic world and its ecounters with fundamentalism and modern secularism, along with the appropriation of Sufism by non-Muslims and the develpment of Sufi traditions in the West.

Author Biography

Carl W. Ernst, Ph.D., is professor and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A specialist in Islamic mysticism, he has spent research tours in Pakistan, India, and Turkey. He is also the author of "Words and Ecstasy in Sufism " and the translator of "The Unveiling of Secrets: Diary of a Sufi Master " by Ruzbihan Baqli.