What were the main features of the Sufi Movement?

The main features of the Sufi Movement were:

1. The Sufis proposed several liberal ideas and advocated social justice and equality.
2. They considered God to be the Supreme Reality and advocated that He must be worshipped through love and devotion. They also believed in the 'Unity of Being', i.e., oneness with God.
3. They had respect for all religions.
4. They inspired people to lead a simple life and help the needy and the poor.
5. They laid importance on a pir (Sufi master), also known as khwaja, who could show the right path to reach God.
6. They developed methods of training using zikr (chanting of a name), contemplation, singing (musical recitations called sama), dancing, discussion of parables and breath control under the guidance of a pir.
7. The disciple was called murid, and both the pir and his disciples lived together in khankahs, which started as rest houses for travellers but came to resemble monastic establishments.
8. When the head of a khankah died, his grave or dargah became a pilgrimage centre. The succession of pirs was known as silsilahs.
9. They popularised devotional music or the qawwali to bring people closer to God.