MUSIC AND DANCE: THE ROLE OF SAMA IN SUFI SPIRITUALITY

Abstract

Sama, the spiritual practice of music and dance in Sufism, is a significant ritual used to achieve divine connection, inner purification, and mystical ecstasy. This study explores Sama within Sufi traditions by employing a qualitative research methodology, including literature review, historical analysis, and theological discourse analysis. The research examines the origins, evolution, and role of Sama in major Sufi orders such as the Mevlevi, Chishtiyya, and Qadiriyya, focusing on its impact on spiritual transformation and religious experience. Through an in-depth analysis of Sufi poetry, musical compositions, and whirling dance, the study highlights how Sama facilitates wajd (spiritual ecstasy) and serves as a tool for divine remembrance (zikr). Additionally, it investigates theological debates on Sama, comparing perspectives from Sufi scholars and critics within Islamic discourse. By analyzing textual sources, scholarly interpretations, and historical practices, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of Sama’s significance in Sufi spirituality, its cultural influence, and its role as a mystical art form.