The Persian Mystics: Jalalu'd-din Rumi (Classic Reprint)

1. THE ORIGIN OF SUFhsM A~~ONG the Mohammedans Sufiism, or Persian mysticism, is known as tasawwuf. The word Sufi is derived from sui, meaning" wool." When a little Persian sect at the end of the eighth century A.D. broke away from the orthodox ~iuslhn religion, and struck out on an independent path, they ignored costly robes and worldly ostentation, and clad themselves in a white wool garment. Hence they were known as "wool wearers," or Sufis. Prof. Edward G. Browne * gives four theories in regard to the origin of Sufiism, viz. : (1) E80- t.e:ric Doctrine of the Prophet. (2) Reaction of the Aryan mind again8t a Semitic religion. (3) N eo-Platonist in~uence. ( 4) I naependent origin. Neither of the four theories altogether" satisfies the learned professor, and very certain it is

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