SUFISM IN CONTEMPORARY CONTEXTS: Spirituality, Subjectivity, and the Limits of Modern Rationality

Abstract

Religious traditions in contemporary societies are increasingly shaped by reflexivity, individual choice, and engagement with secular rationalities. This article analyses Sufism as a form of Islamic spirituality that negotiates these conditions by offering alternative configurations of subjectivity and meaning. Through a critical reading of Sufi philosophical and ethical texts, the study argues that Sufi epistemology challenges modern rationalist frameworks by integrating intellectual reasoning with experiential knowledge (‘irfdri). Practices such as ascetic discipline (zuhd) and spiritual self-examination are examined as techniques for cultivating reflexive subjectivities oriented toward transcendence rather than consumption. The article further explores how Sufi ethical virtues, including gratitude (syukr) and contentment (qana‘ah), address affective dissatisfaction characteristic of late-modern life. At the communal level, Sufi ideals of altruism (itsdr) are shown to foster relational identities that counter excessive individualisation. The article concludes that Sufism represents a dynamic spiritual tradition whose resources remain salient for understanding contemporary religious subjectivities and the ongoing negotiation between spirituality and modern rationality. © 2026, Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara. All rights reserved.