Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and Beyond

For many in the West, the ecstatic dancing ritual of whirling dervishes is the most recognizable aspect of Sufism. Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam, and one of the largest systems of religious affiliation in the Islamic world. The religion emphasizes direct knowledge of the divine within each person. Meditation, music, song, and dance are seen as crucial spiritual strides toward attaining unity with God. The Chishti Sufi order has been the most widespread and popular of all Sufi traditions since the 12th century. Sufi paths of mysticism and devotion, motivated by Islamic ideals, are still chosen by men and women in countries from Morocco to China. Indeed, there are roughly 100 orders around the world, 80 of which are present and thriving in the United States. Sufi Martyrs of Love offers a critical perspective on Western attitudes towards Islam and Sufism, confronts the prejudices of academia and the media, and offers a clarification of the contemporary importance of Sufism, both in the West and in t...