The discipline of Sufism refers to the study of the inner or esoteric dimension of Islam, the ways of purifying the human soul from this-worldly and lowly desires and turning it exclusively to the service of God through the obligatory and supererogatory acts of worship outlined in the Qur’an and the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad. Sufism teaches the ways of travelling in the direction of the presence of God and of cleansing the soul from blameworthy characteristics, as well as how to beautify it with praiseworthy character traits. The Department teaches Sufism as an essential part of the Islamic scholarly tradition, without which one cannot understand the complete picture of Islamic learning. It offers courses on the historical origin, development, and content of Sufism and its religious significance in Islam.