“Sufism, Taṣawwuf, which is the esoteric or inward (bāṭin) aspect of Islam, is to be distinguished from exoteric or “external” (ẓāhir) Islam just as direct contemplation of spiritual or divine realities is distinguishable from the fulfilling of the laws which translate them in the individual order in connection with the conditions of a particular phase of humanity. Whereas the ordinary way of believers is directed towards obtaining a state of blessedness after death, a state which may be attained through indirect and, as it were, symbolical participation in Divine Truths by carrying out prescribed works, Sufism contains its end or aim within itself in the sense that it can give access to direct knowledge of the eternal.”

~Titus Burckhardt~