Too many people, Sufism is considered to be just a sect within the Islamic religion along with the Sunni’s and Shia’s. Just like other Muslims, Sufi’s believe in one god but along with that, they also believe that it is possible to become close to God and to experience this closeness--while one is alive. Sufism is believed to have originated near modern day Iraq near the city of Basra. From the Sufi point of view, the teachings of Sufism were transmitted from the Prophet Muhammad through whom god convoyed his teachings. Although Sufism isn’t widely practices, Sufism still exists in different parts of the Middle East.


Within the years of rice and salt, the Sufi’s are portrayed as sort of an inferior group of people who is looked down upon by other Muslims. The Sufis tended to believe certain ideas and tings without it being proven. This led them to being looked down and scorned upon by other groups of people.


References:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sufism
• http://mb-soft.com/believe/txo/sufism.htm