The term "Sufism" comes from the Arabic word "sufi" which means "mystic". Sufism is a mystical Islamic way of life in which adherents aspire to directly experience God in order to discover the reality of divine love and knowledge. It is made up of a number of mystical routes intended to help discover the essence of God and humanity as well as to make it easier to sense that heavenly wisdom and love exist at all.

On the other hand, social harmony refers to cohesiveness, or the strength of the ties that bind members of a social group to one another and to the group as a whole. Social harmony promotes unity and cooperation among individuals and groups, promoting diversity and respects the unique identities. It increases trust and confidence among businesses, investors, and customers, and also encourages sharing and preservation of cultural traditions, beliefs, and practices.

There is always a question as to how sufism relates with Islam? Sufism is an Islamic concept that emphasises the spiritual component of life. It seeks to lead individuals to Allah by cleaning the inner self and engaging in moral activities. Sufism is frequently referred to as Islam's mystical branch. It stands for a wide variety of Islamic rituals and ideas that prioritise the interior quest for the Creator and intimate spiritual relationship with the Almighty.

Sufism frequently goes beyond traditional Islamic rites and customs to concentrate on the inner, spiritual aspect of Islam, although having its roots in Islamic doctrine. Within Islam, Sufism is a vast and varied spiritual tradition that stresses the mystical and inward aspects of Islam. Sufism includes a broad range of practices and ideas that represent the spiritual diversity within the Islamic world, although having its roots firmly planted in Islamic theology and history.

Sufism has its origins in the early Islamic eras. Some academics contend that Sufism developed in response to the increasing worldliness and materialism that came with the Islamic empire's growth. Early Sufis, sometimes referred to as "Zuhhad" or ascetics, placed a strong emphasis on pursuing spiritual purity and separating oneself from material belongings. Sufism evolved through a number of phases and inspirations. There are three phases to the Sufi path: knowledge, activity, and Allah’s favour.

Sufism's origin can be found in the early Islamic era, when prominent individuals like Hasan Al-Bashri and Rabiatul Adawiyah fostered its expansion. New words like "urban sufism" and "perennial sufism" have emerged as a result of Sufism's adaptation to the demands and problems of the modern world. Additionally, Sufism made its way to the West, where it attracted followers and grew in acceptance, giving rise to hybrid, perennial, and transplant Sufism.

A study on Sufism in Western Historiography by Atif Khalil and Shiraz Sheikh shows that “the academic study of Sufism in the western academy began more than two centuries ago, owing primarily to European colonialists' desire to better comprehend the religions, cultures, and beliefs of the people they governed”. Sufism flourished throughout the East via the acts of Sufi saints, mystical poetry, and the integrating of Sufi practices into local spiritual traditions.

Sufism emphasises virtues like tolerance, love, and peace, which help to promote social harmony. It enhances peaceful cooperation by lessening fanaticism, fundamentalism, and religious hostility. Sufism emphasises spirituality and selflessness, which helps people develop their innate spiritual and intuitive skills and promotes understanding and togetherness. Sufism also contributes to fostering long-lasting harmony in society and lessening extremism. Sufism transcends divisions in belief, race, and nationality to appeal to all of humanity via its teachings of nonviolence and the promotion of love and harmony.

The religious vision of Islam has taken on a unique character due to its goal toward a universal love to all beings beyond the limits of Islamic law. All beings can be seen and accepted through a single ethical vision, independent of their religious or other affiliation, according to Sufism's universal perspective on ethics, which is firmly based in Islamic revelation.

The recognition and elevation of the legal history in this aspect of Islam provides valuable understanding of the religious orientation of Muslim society. As a result, Sufism provides valuable context for situating Islam within a global system whose values and norms are closely aligned with the teachings of Islam.

In Bangladesh, Sufism and Islam have been connected since the emergence of Sufi saints in the region. These saints played an important role in spreading Islam throughout Bengal, especially during the medieval period. Sufism is also known as pirism, named for the Sufi tradition's pirs, or teachers (also called Fakir) in Bangladesh.

Sufism had a profound effect on the local population, and as a result, these Sufi teachers were the single most significant element in the conversion of South Asians to Islam, especially in what is now Bangladesh. Sufism can act as a strong binding force in promoting social harmony in the present chaotic social fabric of Bangladesh.

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The writer is a student, Department of Sociology, University of Chittagong