<![CDATA[This article reinvestigates the practices of dhikr, dance and music in the Sufism tradition which have long been debated in Islamic discourse. Some Muslim scholars, such as Ibn Taymīyah, repudiate this practice on the grounds that it has no basis in the first three generations of Islam (salaf al-ṣāliḥ) and has the potential to lead to deviations from sharī‘ah. On the contrary, Sufis maintain that spiritual expression through samā‘ (listening to music) and ritual dance can be a means of achieving deeper mystical experiences, such as ecstasy (wajd) and self-annihilation (fanā’). This study revisits the criticism of Sufi rituals by referring to the concept of neo-Sufism coined by Fazlur Rahman and that of Hamka’s modern Sufism approach. Neo-Sufism proposes reforming Sufism by emphasizing a balance between spirituality and rationality and avoiding ritual excesses which are considered to deviate from Islamic texts. The research method used in this library research is a descriptive qualitative approach by analyzing primary and secondary sources. Based on historical and theological analysis, this article argues that although criticism of dhikr, dance and music in the Sufi orders has a juridical basis, it cannot be denied that the deeper aspect of spirituality still has a place in the development of Islam. Thus, a more inclusive and contextual approach is necessary to understand Sufi practices so that they remain relevant to the socio-religious dynamics of Muslims in the contemporary era.]]>
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