How is 'sufism' best defined?

Sufism is best defined as a mystical Islamic belief system that emphasizes the inward search for God and the cultivation of personal spiritual experience. It seeks a direct and personal relationship with the divine, often expressed through practices such as meditation, chanting, and the recitation of poetry. Sufis focus on the emotional and experiential aspects of faith, seeking inner purification and enlightenment through love and devotion to God. This tradition has produced notable poets and philosophers, such as Rumi and Al-Ghazali, who have articulated the mystical path of love and selflessness in the pursuit of divine closeness.

The other definitions do not capture the essence of Sufism. A strict interpretation of Islamic law is contrary to the mystical and often more flexible approach Sufism takes toward spirituality and religious practice. A fundamentalist movement implies rigid adherence and rejection of broader interpretations, which is not representative of Sufism's inclusive and experiential nature. Lastly, while there are Sufi orders within Shia Islam, Sufism itself is not confined to any single sect within Islam, as it spans across both Sunni and Shia traditions, emphasizing universal spiritual themes rather than sectarian divisions.