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. It also provides an education in the central themes and
figures of Sufism, concentrating on the theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline. As a part of its curriculum, the department focuses on the history of Sufism in Turkish lands, especially in Anatolia. It offers courses on the pioneering Turkic figures of Sufism, including Jalal al-Din Rumi, Yunus Emre, and Hacı Bektaş Veli, who served humanity at both the national and international
level through their groundbreaking ideas and works. All these figures offer models of building a more peaceful and brotherly life based on love and tolerance. The department places special importance on interdisciplinary studies throughout its investigations. In this context, it works in close collaboration with other intellectual fields, including Psychology and Sociology.