Sufi

[soo-fee]

noun

plural

Sufis 

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

Other Word Forms

• Sufic 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

Hardliners have also vandalised scores of shrines of minorities like the Sufi Muslims in the past year.

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In Kashmir, it took on a distinct identity, becoming central to Sufi poetry and folk traditions.

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He pauses to recite poetry, be it Sufi or Rilke.

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Minority groups like the Sufi Muslims say they are also witnessing increasing attacks on their places of worship.

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I began to pick up some of the wise writers in the Western tradition — Meister Eckhart, Etty Hillesum — no longer convinced that Sufis or Buddhists owned a monopoly on wisdom.

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