A mystical movement of Islam which originated
in the 8th century. Sufis believe that deep
intuition is the only real guide to
knowledge. The movement has a strong strain
of asceticism. The name derives from the suf,
a rough woollen robe worn as an indication of
disregard for material things. There are a
number of groups or brotherhoods within
Sufism, each with its own method of
meditative practice, one of which is the
whirling dance of the dervishes.