Dervishes in Islam

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the mystical approach to Islam known as Sufism and the role of the Dervish within this tradition. The unorthodox Sufi approach to Islam is first described. Then, the role of the Dervish is explained. The author further describes the essence of the Dervishes as using ritual and dance as a means of mystically and spiritually communing with the divine. A background of the Dervishes is presented, including a biography of its founder and a history of its first orders. The Dervishes' dances are also described. The author concludes that the rituals of the Dervishes form an essential part of the Islamic faith and add to the depth and richness of that religion.

From the Paper:

"The Sufi Order or version of Islam is the more unorthodox form of the religion in many respects. The Sufi Order ".....seeks ultimate religious experience through mystic trances or altered states often induced through twirling dances or "whirling dervish." (SUFISM & WHIRLING DERVISHES) This is an important aspect in terms of understanding the function and significance of the Dervishes in Islam."

Sample of Sources Used:

• History of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi and the Whirling Dervishes. 13 December 2006. http://www.whirlingdervish.org/history.htm
• Friedlander I. The Whirling Dervishes. 13 December 2006 http://www.cassiopaea.org/cass/dervish.htm
• Gulati S. The insider's guide to Whirling Dervishes. December 13, 2006. <http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/12/12/whirl.dervishes/index.html>
• Sufism and Dervishes. 13 December 2006. <http://www.whirlingdervishes.org/whirlingdervishes.htm>
• SUFISM & WHIRLING DERVISHES. 13 December 2006. <http://www.erowid.org/spirit/traditions/islam/sufism/sufism.shtml>

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