Sufi

[ soo-fee ]

noun

, plural Su·fis.

1. a member of an ascetic, mystical Muslim sect.

adjective

1. of or relating to Sufis or Sufism.

Sufi

/ ˈsuːfɪ /

noun

1. an adherent of any of various Muslim mystical orders or teachings, which emphasize the direct personal experience of God

Derived Forms

• ˈSufic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sufi¹

First recorded in 1650–55; from Arabic Ṣūfī “(man) of wool,” equivalent to ṣūf “wool” + -ī a suffix indicating relationship or origin; so called from the ascetic woolen clothing the Sufis wore

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sufi¹

C17: from Arabic sūfīy, literally: (man) of wool, from sūf wool; probably from the ascetic's woollen garments

Example Sentences

Traditional Sufi imams might once have dissuaded these young men from seeking out the Syrian battlefield.

From The Daily Beast

The other night, quite by chance, I came across some lines in Rumi, the 13th-century poet—a Sufi mystic from Persia.

From The Daily Beast

In 2004 I was in Swat, I was researching on the causes of failure of the first revolution attempt by Sufi Muhammad.

From The Daily Beast

The blasts at Sufi shrines are put down to Salafists focused on what they see as symbols of Muslim apostasy.

From The Daily Beast

In Herat I paid my respects to the grave of Dost Mohammad Khan at the Sufi shrine of Gaza Gagh.

From The Daily Beast

The chief properties of prophetism are perceptible only during the transport by those who embrace the Sufi life.

From Project Gutenberg

The Sufi gives up the riddle of existence to seek the final union with God, which is the aim of his life.

From Project Gutenberg

He made the pilgrimage to Mecca, and on his return became a disciple of the Sufi Junaid.

From Project Gutenberg

One day the thought crossed Bayazid's mind that he was the greatest Sufi of the age.

From Project Gutenberg

This was older and simpler and more effective than the techniques of Sufi and Hashishiyya.

From Project Gutenberg