Abstract
This paper explains that classically trained Jelaluddin Rumi, who was born in 1207 in the region that is now part of Afghanistan, lived most of his life in Turkey and the surrounding area. The author points out that Rumi created the Mevlevi Order of Dervishes or commonly called the Whirling Dervishes of Sufism. The paper relates that the Whirling Dervishes are most recognized for their unique dance movements, oblique body posturing, acute mental focus and their musical facility, which is said to combine to bring them closer in union to God. The author states that Rumi's poetry is regarded as the cultural epicenter of all thought, literature, dance and music in the world of Islamic aesthetics. The paper reports that the traditional approach to studying the impact of Rumi's poetry on Sufi music has been to examine the text from a critical theoretic perspective.

From the Paper
"The natural academic tendency, regardless of academic specialty, is to examine the concepts contained within the lines of verse; to question 'what is the tree of wisdom' and to ask what or how one identifies one's internal "fairy." These are important metaphysical questions that can and should be asked of the text through critical analysis. However, therein rests the academic pitfall that most researchers and even casual observers typically get trapped in: the interpretation of the text which is made even more complex in translation."

Tags:dervishes, music, transcendental, sama, aural

Abstract
This paper focuses on the well-known Persian poet Rumi, who is largely credited with infusing Sufism with its highly intimate relationship with the aesthetic traditions of the time. The paper explains that the poet's full name is Jelaluddin Rumi. The paper explores the history of Rumi, who was born in the region of the Middle East which is today considered part of Afghanistan the year 1207, actually passed the majority of his life in Turkey and the surrounding area.

Tags:mysticism, middle, east, ancient, wisdom

Abstract
Paper examines view that Muhammad's revelation and belief resembled what came to be known as Sufism, as some Muslims regard as beyond Islam or fail to see as even Muslim. Discussion of varied origins of Muhammad's ideas and what appears in the Quran, Sufism a form of neo-Platonism just as other aspects of Islam drew from regional religious and philosophical influences; mention of Sufism stresses that Muhammad would probably approve of several forms about the world, and question what Islamic fundamentalist movements were pursuing; various references.

From the Paper
Debated Origins - Sufism & the Prophet Muhammad. Introduction A great many people attached to revitalizing movements in Islam regard Sufism as an offshoot, sometimes as a form of heresy that has deviated from what the Quran teaches as the word of the Prophet Muhammad (570-632 AD). However, as this paper ventures, the Prophet was rather the first Sufi in progressions overlooked, unknown, or forgotten in a world of much literal fundamentalism, towards kinds of Islam that the Prophet might not recognize at all as manifestations of what Allah revealed to him. Like various kinds of mysticism, Sufism in its different schools, often

Tags:muhammad, sufism, debates

Abstract
This paper describes some of the practices and philosophical beliefs of Sufism for attaining Divine Unity. The paper discusses how the evolution of a mystical order of Islamic practitioners had evolved in Iran after Muhammad came to power in the 7th century A.D. The paper explains that this tradition beholds that a Divine Unity is the highest understanding of Allah, which can be attributed to losing one's self by not separating the material self from the immaterial self.

Tags:sufism, religion, order

Abstract
This paper describes and compares Islam and Sufism. It begins by discussing the history and development of Sufism. It then describes the relationship between Islam and Sufism and compares how they are similar and how they differ. The paper also looks at the disagreements that arise among scholars, the faithful followers and others in their opinion of this relationship.

From the Paper
"It is however understandable that Western influences may be the reason for the extreme and negative feelings of the orthodoxy against Sufism. Indeed, these influences detract from the original Islam to a point where Sufism becomes unrecognizable as originating from Islam. One can therefore understand that the orthodoxy would wish to preserve the purity of Islam by separating themselves completely from this form of Sufism."
"However, as Keller also points out, this tends towards a very narrow viewpoint, in which the orthodoxy does not allow for Sufism in any form. Keller affirms that such critics should instead adhere to what is good about Sufism, rather than discarding both the good and the bad by rejecting the direction of worship altogether."

Tags:orthodoxy, purity, followers

Abstract
The paper discusses the biography of Ibn Al-Rumi, his formal education and achievements. The paper discusses his poetry which was of a high standard, his study of mysticism and philosophies and notes further that he will always be revered for his standardization of Islamic thoughts.

From the Paper
"In this scenario, Ibn al-Rumi, obviously a firm believer in man's evolution drew from a variety of subjects and derived his numerous examples from every-day life. In so doing, Ibn al-Rumi went about factoring these examples upon the unique bond connecting God/Allah to man in one aspect, as well as the related factor comprised of the spiritual quality existing in man's evolvement and interim of coexistence with his fellowman in his mortal passage to the final destination of the beyond."

Tags:demise, elevated, poetic, craft, mysticism

Abstract
This paper explains that understanding Al Rumi's poetry largely depends on a willingness to accept the complexity of the philosophical and spiritual ideas that they express and the manner in which they challenge the very notion of the self.

From the Paper
"Jalal El Din Al Rumi, a thirteenth century Moslem Sufi poet, is currently the most popularly read poet in the West. Norman M. Brown, the leader of the Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida, has an interesting theory regarding Al Rumi's popularity. As he argues, most people, whether conscious of it or not, have spiritual needs and desires. The rational outlook of twentieth century Western civilization suppresses these types of needs and desires, does not give them the opportunity to express or fulfill themselves and, as a result, many people become spiritually frustrated (Brown). The minority who are conscious of their spiritual frustration turn to various religions in search of some type of fulfillment. However, few, if any, of these religions provide such fulfillment. The exception to this, according to Norman M. Brown is Sufi "mystical" Islam which appears to address both human spiritual needs and emotions on one hand, and the human respect for rationality and intellect, on the other (Brown). As Brown argues, Sufi thought, combining between philosophy and spirituality, and concisely expressed in the poetry of Al Rumi, satisfy the inborn human spiritual and intellectual desires and, in this, lies the popularity of the Sufist poet in the West."

Tags:self, philosophy

Abstract
This paper looks at the central concept of Islamic cosmology and then goes on to explain Sufism and why it should be viewed as a spiritual dimension of Islam. Furthermore, based on the research cited, the paper concludes that the emergence of Sufism is a natural development within the religion and a necessary revelation of Islamic faith.

From the Paper
"Nasr states categorically that Sufism is a part of the Islamic tradition that extends the spiritual and the ' esoteric' dimensions of the faith. "The truth and reality of the inner teachings of Islam became crystallized mostly in Sufism. Sufism therefore embodies more than any other facet of Islam the various aspects of Islamic spirituality". (Nasr, 1987. p 3) As such, Islamic Sufism also extends and adds to the understanding of the essential cosmological elements that characterize Islam. Sufism is related to these cosmological aspects as an extension and a deepening of the spirituality of Islam."

Tags:tasawwuf, mystical, esoteric, spirituality, cosmological, elements, muhammad, absolute, relative

Abstract
This paper studies the religious, political and epistemological factors underlying the development of Islamic mysticism, or Sufism. The paper compares and contrasts traditional Sunnism with Sufism, and asks how they each relate to the Kalam, or the divine word. The author also looks at the teachings of Al-Ghazali, a Sunni philosopher and Sufi mystic. The paper concludes by exploring the virtual demise of Sufism and questioning whether there is still a place for mysticism today in an increasingly orthodox Islam.
What are the Main Tenets of Each
Metaphysics and Physics and Muslim Philosophy
A Comparison of Sunni and Sufi Beliefs and Practices
Why Did Muslim Philosophy Ultimately Fade into the Background of Islamic Thought and Practice, and Did It Have Any Permanent Effect on the Development of Sufism?
Can Sufism be Reconciled with Orthodox Sunni Theology and Law?

From the Paper
"The whole of Muslim life turned around the Qur'an. Revealed to Muhammad by God between 610 and 632 from an eternal codex (the Preserved Tablet), according to Muslim doctrine, the Qur'an embodies the full range of principles and precepts by which the believer should order his life. The Qur'an is supplemented, however, by a mass of utterances attributed to Muhammad and constituting, together with circumstantial reports of the actions and decisions of the Prophet, the general body of Muhammadan Traditions, properly designated in Muslim usage as the Prophetic "Way" (al-Sunnah)."

Tags:Sunni, Shiite, Suffi, Muslim, Islam, mysticism, Muhammed, Mohammed

Abstract
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."

Tags:Islam, mysticism, Sufi, Dervish, Order, of, the, Whirling, Dervishes, Mevlana, Jelaluddin, Rumi