Beginning of Essay
Islam, as a religion, is divided into two different sects, Sunni and Shi’i. These divisions have their own separate values and rituals that create an unconquerable schism between them. The gap, however, is somewhat bridged by a twist on the Islamic faith k ....

Middle of Essay
.... They prefer the word guidance to the word teaching because they believe that the sought-after relationship with God can be reached only through personal experience. The original Sufis, though they seem far from the orthodox views, maintained a very close tie with original Islamic doctrine. Their differences were considerable, but the link with orthodoxy was “guaranteed by their acceptance of the law and ritual practices of Islam.” The Sufis believe that a person’s soul abides with God before it ever inhabits the body of man. This connection is the reason for all Sufi practice. Their rituals and ceremonies are an attempt to ....