How did Sufism start?

Sufism began in the early centuries of Islam as a spiritual movement focused on the inner dimensions of faith, emphasizing personal experience and direct communion with God. It emerged as a response to the perceived formalism and materialism within the growing Islamic community. Early Sufis practiced asceticism, meditation, and the recitation of poetry and music to cultivate a deeper spiritual connection. Over time, Sufism developed various orders and traditions, becoming an integral part of the Islamic faith.