Tasawwuf，在西方學界的談論中，一般常以所謂「Sufism」（蘇非主義）稱之。「蘇非主義」又常被研究者界定為伊斯蘭傳統的「神祕主義」（Mysticism），然而，由於中文脈絡裡，一般讀者對於「神祕主義」這一中文譯名常常望文生義，雜糅了許多實應放入「玄祕主義」（Occultism）這一概念的內容，導致「神祕主義」之概念不但不容易幫助我們開啟對於「Tasawwuf」概念的清晰瞭解，反而讓它更有爭議。
許多學人早已貢獻心力於譯介「Mysticism」以及「Tasawwuf」的內容與其正名，本文正是在前輩的基礎上，比較威廉．詹姆斯（William James）、史泰司（W.T.Stace）、麥奎利（John Macquarrie）等人對於「Mysticism」的界定，指出「Tasawwuf」確實是一條親身體驗「冥契經驗」（Mystical States），並由此開啟深刻靈性智慧、獲得高度精神滿足的修行道路。

Tasawwuf, known as “Sufism” in Western academic literatures, has also been commonly taken as Mysticism in Islamic tradition by the researchers. Nevertheless, mysticism is often understood hastily in Chinese language with what should be Occultism, which in turn prevents a clear understanding of Tasawwuf and clouds it with more controversies.
There had been much effort put into translating and introducing the nature of Mysticism as well as Tasawwuf. Building upon such great works and comparing the different definitions of Mysticism by William James, W. T. Stace and John Macquarrie, this paper is dedicated to clarifying and identifying that Tasawwuf is indeed a path enlightening profound spiritual wisdom and leading to eminent spiritual satisfaction through experiencing Mystical States.