suluk

Suluk, from the Arabic saluk meaning “path” or “way,” is a central concept in Sufism referring to the spiritual path by which a seeker (salik) strives to purify the heart and attain closeness to God. It denotes both the inner journey and the disciplined practices that accompany it, rather than a mere philosophy. The practice often begins with guidance from a qualified teacher within a Sufi lineage (tariqa).

In suluk, the practitioner engages in dhikr (remembrance), contemplation, prayer, fasting, and ethical purification, guided by a spiritual master. The path is described in terms of maqamat (stations) that must be traversed and hal (states) that may be experienced along the way. Central aims include eradicating the ego (nafs), fostering sincerity, and attaining gnosis (ma'rifa) of the divine. Love, humility, and reliance on God (tawakkul) are emphasized across traditions.

Historically, suluk developed in early Sufi circles and became a core component of many orders, such as the Naqshbandi, Chishti, Qadiriyya, and Mevlevi. While outward practices vary, all share the emphasis on disciplined inner purification under a living guide, ethical conduct, and constant remembrance of God. In scholarship, suluk is often distinguished from the social or organizational aspect of Sufism (the tariqa) and is treated as the inner journey within the broader spiritual path.