Year 8 - Religious education
Sufism and connecting with Allah
Knowing God: does religious experience prove God exists?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils investigate the idea of religious experience. They start with the ideas of William James before examining case studies from history and Christian, Islamic and Hindu worldviews.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how Sufis connect with Allah and why some Muslims would say knowledge cannot be gained through Sufi mysticism.
Key Notes
- Sufism may be described as Islamic mysticism
- Sufis exist within Sunni and Shi'a Islam, rather than being a distinct religious group.
- Sufi Muslims try to achieve direct personal experience of Allah.
- Other Muslims may disagree with the idea of trying to get personal experience of God.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Allah: Arabic word for God (literally means 'the God')
- ma'rifah: used by Sufis to describe deep, personal knowledge of Allah that comes from spiritual experiences
- mysticism: a way of experiencing and connecting with Allah through personal, inner experiences
- Sufism: a mystical approach in Islam that focuses on achieving ma'rifah (true knowledge of Allah) through a deep, personal connection with him
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Sufism is a branch of Islam, like Sunni and Shi'ism.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Sufism may be described as Islamic mysticism. Sufis exist within Sunni and Shi'a Islam, rather than being a distinct religious group.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Allah'
Arabic word for God (literally means 'the God').
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Sufism is a branch of Islam, like Sunni and Shi'ism. Correction: Sufis can be either Sunni or Shi'a, athough the majority are Sunni.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 8 Religious education guide library.