Sufism and 'the Beloved'

2012 Vol. 3: May/June

La ilaha illallah, la ilaha illallah, la ilaha illallah (there is no deity but Allah) … on and on flow the words of the Arabic chant in cadence with the rhythmic heartbeat of the Sufi Muslim who is enthralled by the prospect of connecting with God. A Sufi Muslim is well-acquainted with the practice of Islamic chanting known as dhikir. It is the defining characteristic of a Muslim who has embraced Sufism.