The proliferation of Sufi orders in the greater Durban area.

Abstract

The primary focus of this dissertation is to examine the proliferation of the Sufi Orders in the Durban area. The popularity of tasawwuf, (Islamic Spirituality) appears to be on the increase as manifested by the increase in the membership of the more established Sufi Orders as well as an increase in the emergence of new Sufi Orders. This study reviews the history, nature, characteristics and activities of the Sufi groups, and documents their growth over the last ten - twelve years. It also focuses on the reasons which could possibly account for such an increase and it asks the question "What motivates individuals to gravitate to Sufi Orders and groups?"