Sufism started as a reaction against formalism pursued by the theologians and the masses, intellectualism of the philosophers and the rationalists and the irreligious ways of the ruling classes. Generally, Sufism was based on the Qur’an and lives of the Prophet and his companions. Before, A-Ghazali Sufism passed through three stages of development. The Sufis were ascetics and quietists at the first stage. The second stage of development of Sufism was ...
