Modern Sufis often find themselves navigating a complex religious landscape marked by both internal and external pressures. In many contexts, certain orthodox authorities and conservative currents regard Sufi practices—such as music, dance, shrine visitation, and mystical interpretations—as illegitimate innovations, which can lead to theological polemics and social marginalization. In more extreme cases, shrines and gatherings have been attacked, and practitioners persecuted, by groups that deem these expressions heretical. At the same time, some states seek to control or instrumentalize Sufi orders, promoting them as a “safe” or “moderate” form of religion, which can compromise their independence and spiritual integrity. These dynamics place Sufi communities in a delicate position, as they attempt to remain faithful to their traditions while avoiding both suppression and co‑optation.

A further set of challenges arises from secularization, urbanization, and changing social patterns. Traditional lodges, master–disciple relationships, and communal practices are more difficult to sustain amid the demands of modern education, professional life, and individualistic values. Younger generations may be less inclined toward long-term discipline and hierarchical structures, even as they search for meaning. This can result in institutional decline, disputes over leadership and succession, and fragmentation among different orders and lineages. The erosion or destruction of historical shrines and sacred spaces through political conflict or development also weakens the tangible centers around which Sufi life has long been organized.

Another significant tension concerns the popularization and commercialization of Sufi symbols and teachings. Poetry, music, and ideas of divine love are frequently celebrated in broader cultural and “spiritual” markets, sometimes detached from their Islamic and ethical frameworks. This can produce a kind of “Sufism” reduced to entertainment, self-help, or vague spiritual consumerism, overshadowing the rigorous moral and contemplative disciplines at the heart of the path. In such an environment, maintaining authenticity becomes an ongoing struggle, especially when charismatic but poorly trained leaders exploit seekers’ vulnerability, undermining the credibility of more rooted lineages.

Modern Sufis also wrestle with how to articulate their heritage in relation to contemporary questions of gender, social justice, and pluralism. Traditional structures have often limited women’s access to leadership and public ritual roles, even though the underlying teachings emphasize love, unity, and human dignity. There is active reflection on how these teachings might inform responses to inequality, human rights concerns, and the realities of religiously diverse societies, including contexts marked by Islamophobia and misunderstanding. At the same time, Sufi communities in non-Muslim environments must adapt outward forms while preserving inner principles, seeking ways to engage in interfaith and intra-Muslim dialogue without diluting their distinctive spiritual vision.