Religions of the Middle East
Islam 12/4

-The Sufis are a monastic group, they live in primarily unisex religious communities. Making up about 5% of the Muslim population and residing primarily in Morrocco and Saudi Arabia.

-They put a great emphasis on meditation and mysticism, comparable to Budhism and Hinduism.

-Oneness with God is the highest goal and they describe life as a moth circling a candle flame getting ever closer until is it consumed by the flame.

-Early Sufis didn't follow the outward rules of the Shari'ah. They didn't believe praying to, or going to Mecca, or fasting was as important as focusing on loving God and one's neighbors.

-They were persecuted for thier belief in acheiving oneness with God.

-Al Ghazali was a medieval sufi reformer who brought sufism more respect by teaching that they should practice the outter obedience as well as the inner obedience. He was a charismatic theologian and people listened to him because they were tired of being persecuted.

-Sufis take a less literal interpretation of the Qu'aran.

-They are influenced by Arabian mystical traditions like Zorastorism, as well as Christian mystical traditions. These groups met due to Mecca's location on the trade route.

-The Mawaliya are a sect of sufism created by Rumi. They are also referred to as the Whirling Dervishes because of the dances they use to receive mystical visions.

-The Shi'ites consist of two sects, the seveners and the twelvers. The seveners follow the teachings of the Seven Imams and those teachings guide their leaders today. The twelvers follow the Twelve Imams and beleive one of them will return before the day of doom. The majority of Shi'ites are twelvers.

-The Muslim afterlife is much like that of the Christians only much more physical.

Paradise:
-Trees
-Flowing streams
-Bird songs
-Beautiful virgin servants
-Feasting
-Soft couches and pillows

Hell:
-Mostly women in hell
-Eating from Zacob tree that grows demon heads
-Drinking boiling water
-Burned by flames