The Mystique of Sufism

Sufism might best be described as Islamic mysticism, where followers seek the advice and miracles of holy men called pirs. Devout believers worship these pirs as earthly manifestations of God — traveling on pilgrimages and making sacrifices. Sufis are also famous for their “whirling dervishes,” and for their ecstatic combination of prayer, music, and dance. 

Yet we would be wrong to consider Sufi adherents a fringe minority; Sufism extends throughout the Muslim world, each different group with its own murshid (spiritual guide) and murid (followers). The guides trace their spiritual authority back through generations, eventually to Muhammad himself.   

The practice of Sufism deeply pervades all of Pakistan, but especially the southeast Sindh Province.  

In 1986, the Los Angeles Times published a piece about the power of one Sufi murshid behind the Pakistan government. Then-Prime Minister Mohammed Khan Junejo (1985-1988) would frequently visit his spiritual master, the Pir of Pagaro, who said he had “loaned” Junejo to the Pakistan government. The Pir of Pagaro then added, “Now the loan has become an investment” because, “I want to rule all Pakistan and even a little bit more.” 

While as many as 60 percent of Pakistanis considered themselves Sufis at one point, some European experts now see Sufism on the decline. Islamist hardliners reject Sufi pluralism and have attacked Sufi shrines.  

Yet for adherents, Sufism runs deep. So when someone chooses to step aside from the ancient practice, others notice. Consider Zaiba’s story: 

Her in-laws used to regularly visit Sufi shrines, and this deeply disturbed Zaiba after she began to follow Jesus. She worked hard to convince her family to stop visiting shrines and stop worshipping various Sufi saints. “We should only bow to God,” she told them, because only God could hear their prayers and heal them.  

Even though Zaiba’s in-laws remain Muslim, her deep convictions made a difference: They now pray only to God and have stopped visiting shrines. Perhaps they will soon take the next step and choose to follow Jesus! 

Please pray that many more Pakistanis who turn to Jesus from Sufism will, like Zaiba, boldly tell their stories. And that those who hear will turn to Jesus too.   

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Sources: “What Is Sufism?” Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Dec. 1, 2017; "Spiritual Leader: Power Is the Pir’s in Sind Province,” Los Angeles Times, Sept. 25, 1986.;“Sufis in Pakistan,” factsanddetails.com; “‘Mystical Islam’ under threat in Pakistan,” Deutsche Welle, dw.com.