A sufi is a person who believes or adheres to 'Sufism', a branch of the Islamic religion. Another name for Sufi is Dervish, though this second term must be used in a non-racial sense to remain accurate. it should also be noted that some Islamic scholars define Sufism as simply the name for the inner 'spiritual' or esoteric dimension of Islam.
Answer 1
Surfism is an Islamic concept which the followers are seeking for divine truth and love though a direct encounter with the God. This arose in the mid-18th and 19th century C.E.
Answer 2
Sufism is branch of Islam that is more concerned with an emotional connection to God than an emphasis on legal doctrines. Sufis do not emphasize Islamic law and are much more interested in loving God and devoting themselves to seeing higher-meanings in sacred texts. They also seek to replicate the relationships that other now-dead Sufi Scholars had with the Divine, which is why they pray near the physicality of the dead Saint (i.e. at his tomb). Sufism advances the beliefs of Islam in a looser and more emotional way than traditional Islam.
Sufism is not something different from Islam. It is all about seeking the the Goodwill and Pleasure of Almighty Allah. In fact, it is putting the teachings of Islam into practice with extreme devotion. The Sufis teach to be kind, helpful and charitable to all human beings irrespective of their caste, creed, color, religion, country etc. They don't hurt the feelings of human beings even if they are sinners. The sinners may repent anytime and become better Muslims and better humans than those who consider them inferior or sinful. All human beings are the off-spring of a single couple - Hazrat Adam (as) and Hazrat Hawa (as). Allah Almighty has created all and He loves all His creatures. Nobody has the right to insult, maltreat or murder anybody. The Sufis welcome anybody who wants to sit in their company. They don't hate any person. They teach to practice tolerance and love. They follow the teachings of Islam in letter and spirit.
Sufi Islam is Islam in its most pure form. Islam can't be divided like this. Sufis have the same basic beliefs. They struggle harder and harder to be close to Allah Almighty. For this, they do Mujahida - struggle. They try to purify their souls by doing extra worship.
Human being is the combination of body and Soul. The Soul is the Order of Allah Almighty. It is from the Sphere of Amr -most high above heavens. It is from Allah Almighty. Allah Almighty says that He was a hidden Treasure. He wanted that some one should explore Him. Thus He created human beings.
Now the Soul wants to reach its Home-The Sphere of Amr. Thus it keeps on trying to be close to its Creator. It inspires the body to get up in the thick of the night and stand before Allah Karim. The eyes shed tears because of the separation from Allah Karim. The whole struggle of a Sufi, a true Muslim is to be close to Allah Karim. This is the ultimate aim of a Sufi.
Read more: Why_do_Muslims_want_to_be_close_to_Allah
Karen Armstrong (Islam: A Short History) says that Sufism is the mysticism of Sunni Islam, but although they had different political views, shared a similar spiritual outlook with early Shi'is. Sufis wanted to get back to the primitive simplicity of the ummah, when all Muslims had lived as equals. The ascetics often wore the kind of coarse woollen garment that was standard among the poor, as the Prophet had done. Where established Islam was becoming less tolerant, seeing the Quran as the only valid scripture and Muhammad's religion as the one true faith, Sufis went back to the spirit of the Quran in their appreciation of other religious traditions. Some saw Jesus as the ideal Sufi, as he had preached a gospel of love. Other maintained that even a pagan who prostrated himself before a stone was worshipping the Truth that existed at the heart of all things.
Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri (The thoughtful guide to Islam) regards the development of Sufism as natural and progressive, rather than being founded at a particular time or place. By the early eighth century, an increasing number of people had chosen a way of life based on ascetism, meditative and other ritualistic practices, such as chanting the name of God as a means of enhancing remembrance of Allah and maintaining self-awareness. By the ninth century, a large body of teachings from the traditions and Sunnah emphasised the importance of gaining knowledge of the self in order for higher and more subtle knowledge to become accessible.
Ibn Warraq (Why I am not a Muslim) says the earliest Sufis were ascetics, inspired by Christian ideals and seeking salvation by shunning the meretricious delights of this world. Eventually, ascetism was seen as only the first stage of a long journey whose ultimate aim was a deep and intimate knowledge of God. The later Sufis made a complete break with the formal system of Islamic law. Many Sufis were good Muslims, but some were only nominally Muslim, while a third group were "Muslim after a fashion." In the mystic's vision, there were no heavenly rewards and hellish punishments; the written word of God was abrogated by a direct and intimate revelation.
A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a sufi movement
who is the real sufi
Abul Hasan al-Shadhili
Sufism is Muslim and probably does not emphasize the devotion of images of God.
Out of the sufi's zidan sufi was the best sufi
sansui movement started in Algeria. it was a sunni sufi movement. it was a Islamic puritive movement. it was started by Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali al Sansui. aim was to recast Islam in its original state. it too place in 18th century.
a sufi masters' title is a Pir
The Way of the Sufi was created in 1968.
The population of Shokat as-Sufi is 8,100.
Shaykh Sufi died in 1904.
Shaykh Sufi was born in 1829.
Abdalqadir as-Sufi was born in 1930.
a sufi masters' title is a Pir
Sufis are NOT a Religion or Doctrine! Sufis are Mystics or Mystical! The Sufi follows a Path or a Mystical Way of Life! Sufi is NOT a ism! The Sufi life is based on Experience, NOT on Dogma or a Doctrine! The Sufi word may mean Wisdom(Fr. Greek)! The Sufi strives toward UNION with God! Reference: "The Sufi Message" by Pir O Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan!