Sufi Islam

Sufi Islam, in the most basic sense, is a somewhat (temporarily?) spiritualized version of orthodox Islam begun in the 12th century. Those who practice Sufi Islam in the United States (such as some assume of Dr. Zudhi Jasser) are self-proclaimed as and understood to be true "moderate Muslims." They may even consider themselves "devout" Muslims - at least devout "Sufi" Muslims. Of course, being human and subject to changes in attitude, a Muslim may go in and out of his "spiritualizing mode" as his psyche dictates.

Sufi's are considered apostate or near apostate by the more orthodox Sunni, Salafi, and Shia Muslims. Given that the orthodox interpretations of Islam hold the reigns of Islamic influence and power in the world today, there is little chance of significant Sufi influence emerging in the forseeable future.

However, do not be deceived by the apparent current moderation of Sufi Muslims, even if they were to gain influence within the Islamic ummah. They are still Muslim supremacists at heart. They are simply on the "very patient" side of the "impose Islam now vs. impose Islam later" continuum.

Here, here, and here are several links that go into some depth about Sufi Islam.

Some sources, such as this one on American Thinker, suggest that Sufism isn't as peacefully benign as it is often portrayed.

And here is a different twist on Jasser and Sufism - that he is not of that fold, either. Which then begs the question: Then in what fold is his self-proclaimed Islamic devoutness engorged? Here is a telling quote from this link...

"But there is a major problem with this [Jasser's] very American and, indeed, Protestant approach to the Qur’an: practically no Muslim follows it at this stage in history."