Question

What were the major beliefs and practices of the Sufis?

Answer 1

• Sufis were Muslim mystics. They rejected outward religiosity and gave emphasis on love and devotion to God. They inspired people to be compassionate towards all fellow human beings.
  
• They rejected idol worship and considerably simplified rituals of worship into collective prayers.
• They believed that the heart can be trained to look at the world in a different way.
• They developed elaborate methods of training using zikr (chanting of a name or sacred formula), contemplation, sama (singing), raqs (dancing), discussion of parables, breath control, etc. under the guidance of a master or pir.