Sufism is a mystic tradition of Islam
encompassing a diverse range of beliefs and practices dedicated
to Allah/God, divine love and sometimes to help a fellow man.
Tariqas (Sufi orders) may be associated with Shi'a Islam, Sunni
Islam, other currents of Islam, or a combination of multiple
traditions. It has been suggested that Sufi thought emerged from
the Middle East in the eighth century, but adherents are now
found around the world. Some Sufis have also claimed that Sufism
pre-dates Islam and some groups operate with only very tenuous
links to Islam.
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