Dervish vs. Sufi — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 25, 2024
Dervishes are devoted Sufis practicing rigorous asceticism, while Sufis seek spiritual closeness to God through various mystic paths.
Difference Between Dervish and Sufi
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Dervishes are known for their commitment to an ascetic lifestyle and practices aimed at achieving spiritual insight and closeness to God, focusing on poverty, meditation, and whirling dances. Sufism, on the other hand, is a broader Islamic mysticism movement that emphasizes the inner, personal experience of God, incorporating a wide range of spiritual practices beyond those of the dervishes.
While dervishes often belong to specific Sufi orders that prescribe particular rituals and modes of worship, including the famous whirling of the Mevlevi order, Sufism as a whole embraces a variety of paths and practices aimed at developing an intimate connection with the divine. This diversity includes poetry, music, and contemplation, with Rumi being a prominent Sufi poet whose works transcend specific practices like those of the dervishes.
The focus of dervishes on asceticism and specific rituals like dance and music is a means to achieve spiritual ecstasy and enlightenment, emphasizing the abandonment of worldly desires. In contrast, Sufis may pursue a more internal and contemplative approach to spirituality, seeking to purify the heart and soul to experience God’s presence within.
Dervishes are often associated with public expressions of faith, including participation in rituals that are intended to induce spiritual states and draw attention to the Sufi path. Sufis, while possibly engaging in similar practices, also value the quiet, personal journey of spiritual growth and the development of a deep, personal relationship with God that may not always involve outward expressions of faith.
The term "dervish" historically referred to a member of a Sufi brotherhood, known for their poverty and austerity, while "Sufi" is a more general term that refers to adherents of Sufism, indicating a wider range of spiritual practices and beliefs within Islam that seek to find the love of God.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Members of Sufi orders known for their ascetic practices.
Followers of Sufism, a form of Islamic mysticism.
Key Practices
Asceticism, meditation, whirling dances.
Varied, including prayer, music, poetry, and contemplation.
Focus
Achieving spiritual insight and closeness to God through austerity and specific rituals.
Seeking intimacy with God through diverse spiritual paths.
Public Perception
Often associated with public rituals and performances.
Seen as pursuing a more personal, internal spiritual journey.
Historical Context
Originated as part of Sufi orders with specific practices.
Sufism has a broader historical development within Islam, embracing various mystic practices.
Compare with Definitions
Dervish
Performers of the whirling dance, seeking to reach a state of spiritual ecstasy.
The dervish spun tirelessly, lost in his devotion.
Sufi
Can be part of various orders, each with unique practices and teachings.
She joined a Sufi order that emphasized community service and love.
Dervish
Associated with specific Sufi brotherhoods and rituals.
He became a dervish after joining the Mevlevi order.
Sufi
Engages in practices like poetry and music to express spiritual longing.
The Sufi's poems were filled with metaphors of longing for the divine.
Dervish
Renounces worldly possessions and desires to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
Despite his lack of material wealth, the dervish was content in his spiritual richness.
Sufi
Pursues spiritual growth and enlightenment through diverse paths.
The Sufi's journey was marked by both solitary contemplation and communal worship.
Dervish
A member of a Sufi order, known for practicing rigorous asceticism.
The dervish lived a life of poverty, dedicating himself to spiritual pursuits.
Sufi
Believes in the inner, mystical dimension of Islam.
Sufis focus on the heart's purification and the soul's connection with God.
Dervish
Lives in accordance with strict spiritual disciplines and principles.
The dervish's daily routine was filled with meditation and prayer.
Sufi
A follower of Sufism, emphasizing a personal connection with God.
The Sufi sought divine love through deep meditation and reflection.
Dervish
Dervish or Darvesh or Darwīsh (from Persian: درویش, Darvīsh) in Islam can refer broadly to members of a Sufi fraternity (tariqah), or more narrowly to a religious mendicant, who chose or accepted material poverty. The latter usage is found particularly in Persian and Turkish (Derviş), corresponding to the Arabic term faqir.
Sufi
A Muslim mystic.
Dervish
A member of a Muslim (specifically Sufi) religious order who has taken vows of poverty and austerity. Dervishes first appeared in the 12th century; they were noted for their wild or ecstatic rituals and were known as dancing, whirling, or howling dervishes according to the practice of their order.
Sufi
Of or relating to the Sufis.
Dervish
A member of any of various Muslim ascetic orders, some of which perform whirling dances and vigorous chanting as acts of ecstatic devotion.
Sufi
A title or surname of the king of Persia.
Dervish
One that possesses abundant, often frenzied energy
"[She] is a dervish of unfocused energy, an accident about to happen" (Jane Gross).
Sufi
One of a certain order of religious men in Persia.
Dervish
(Islam) An itinerant Sufi mystic practicing voluntary poverty in devotion to God, and often engaging in ecstatic rituals.
Sufi
A Muslim who represents the mystical dimension of Islam; a Muslim who seeks direct experience of Allah; mainly in Iran
Dervish
(historical) A citizen or inhabitant of Darawiish (circa 1895–1920 {{C.E.}}), an anti-colonial polity in modern Somalia headed by Sufis.
Sufi
Of or relating to the Sufis or to Sufism
Dervish
(historical) One of the followers of Muhammad Ahmad, the Mahdi of the Sudan, in the 1880s.
Dervish
(by extension) Any irregular guerrilla fighter resembling the Sudanese Mahdi in equipment, uniform, tactics, etc.
Dervish
A Turkish or Persian monk, especially one who professes extreme poverty and leads an austere life.
Dervish
One of the fanatical followers of the Mahdi, in the Sudan, in the 1880's.
Dervish
In modern times, a member of an ascetic Mohammedan sect notable for its devotional exercises, which include energetic chanting or shouting and rhythmic bodily movement, such as whirling, leading to a trance-like state or ecstasy. From these exercises the phrase whirling dervish is derived.
Dervish
Figuratively, a person who whirls or engages in frenzied activity reminiscent of the dervish{3} dancing.
Dervish
An ascetic Muslim monk; a member of an order noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements
Common Curiosities
How do dervishes practice their faith?
Dervishes practice through asceticism, meditation, and rituals like whirling dances to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
What defines a Sufi?
A Sufi is an adherent of Sufism, a form of Islamic mysticism that seeks a personal, intimate relationship with God.
Can a Sufi be a dervish?
Yes, a Sufi can be a dervish if they are part of a Sufi order that practices specific ascetic rituals.
What is the significance of the whirling dance for dervishes?
The whirling dance is a form of meditation and worship for dervishes, aimed at reaching spiritual ecstasy and closeness to God.
Are all dervishes part of the Mevlevi order?
No, not all dervishes are part of the Mevlevi order; there are various Sufi orders with different practices.
What role does poetry play in Sufism?
Poetry is a significant aspect of Sufism, used to express the soul's longing for divine love and union with God.
Do dervishes live in poverty?
Many dervishes adopt a life of poverty as part of their spiritual discipline, renouncing material wealth for spiritual richness.
Is Sufism practiced only in the Islamic world?
While rooted in Islam, Sufism has followers and influences beyond the Islamic world, appealing to universal themes of love and spirituality.
What are the core beliefs of Sufism?
Sufism emphasizes the inner, mystical aspect of Islam, focusing on the heart's purification and a direct, personal experience of God.
What is a dervish?
A dervish is a member of a Sufi order, known for their ascetic lifestyle and specific spiritual practices.
How does Sufism differ from mainstream Islam?
Sufism adds a mystical dimension to Islam, focusing on the personal, inner experience of God, while mainstream Islam may emphasize legal and doctrinal aspects.
How do dervishes contribute to their communities?
Dervishes contribute through spiritual leadership, teaching, and sometimes through services and rituals that benefit the community.
What is the goal of a Sufi's spiritual journey?
The goal is to achieve a deep, personal connection with God, often described as the purification of the heart and soul.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
