In the collective imagination, the word 'temple' often evokes grandiose places, adorned with sacred symbols, dedicated to prayer and inner silence.
But what about a Sufi temple? What does this term mean in the mystical tradition of Islam? And how do they differ from mosques or other places of worship?
The Sufi temple is above all a place of retreat, transmission and spiritual practice. It's not a building set in a codified architecture, but one of’a living space, where people come to connect with what is essential through practices such as dhikr (recitation of the Divine Names), music, poetry, breath, and, of course, spinning dance.
Unlike the mosque, which is centred on canonical prayer, the Sufi temple is a place for an inner journey, an initiatory space where we strip away appearances to move towards a form of naked truth. It's not about believing, it's about experiencing.
Depending on the region and tradition, the Sufi temple may have several names:
Zawiya (in North Africa),
Tekke (in the Ottoman area),
Khanqah (in the Persian world),
or Ribat, in some ancient traditions.
All refer to a spiritual refuge, often founded by a Sufi master (shaykh or pir), where disciples gather to receive oral instruction, but above all to practise together.
The Sufi temple is not just an external place. Symbolically, it is also the reflection of the human heart, the inner space that we purify to welcome the Divine Presence.. In the Sufi tradition, the heart is the true sanctuary. The physical temple is therefore only the mirror of an invisible sanctuary, that of the awakened heart.
Sobriety, humility and discreet beauty, often inspired by nature, characterise these places. The walls sometimes bear calligraphy of the Names of Allah, or verses by mystical poets such as Rûmî, Hafez or Ibn ‘Arabi. The carpet on the floor invites you to sit, listen and turn.. The body itself then becomes a place of prayer, an instrument of connection.
The Sufi temple is also a place of community. It's a place where people share simple meals and welcome others regardless of class, religion or origin. Because love maḥabba is at the heart of Sufi teaching. It is not about convincing, but about to radiate, to be of service, to transmit a living breath.
Finally, for many dervishes, the true temple is the present moment. Wherever you turn, wherever you chant a sacred name, wherever you open your heart, that is the temple. This is why a desert, a forest, a humble house or a dance hall can become, for a moment, a true Sufi temple.
Dance, spin, pray.
Make your body a sanctuary,
and the world a living temple.
What is the Dervish Oracle?
It is a silent spiral. Each card is a step in an invisible dance where we join the rhythm of the world. The oracle is not static: it vibrates, it breathes, it allows itself to be tamed by slowness.
