14 - Sufism, the Inner Dimenson of Islam

Islam is known in the West for its laws and community rituals, with thousands praying in neat rows.  Yet the picture is not complete without the emotional or personal dimension of Islam.  Arising in the first centuries of Islam, the practices of Sufism, seeking a personal, intimate relationship with God, have also shaped Muslim society.  In this episode, we look at the beginnings of Sufism, its distinctive teachings and its relationships with Islamic law, philosophy and theology.