This page brings together playlists, performances, and short videos that let you experience Sufi music directly. Whether you’re new to the tradition or just curious to hear what it sounds like, these examples offer an easy way to explore qawwali, whirling ceremonies, devotional singing, and the instruments used in Sufi practice.

Spotify playlists:

“RUMI Sufi Music.” Spotify, created by Buddha’s Lounge, open.spotify.com/playlist/6oyrpgHlTga34o73VBdV54?si=813c0db6f99d466c

This playlist is specifically centered around the poet Rumi. The songs in this playlist are more meditative in nature. It is a great way to experience the genre while relaxing.

“All Sufi Hit Songs.” Spotify, created by Mr.Vishal Jadhav, open.spotify.com/playlist/0i57IluKt4XpRhXYF48K4h?si=0ad130bba7d54132

Here is a playlist made up of some of the most popular songs in the Sufi genre. I great playlist to start experiencing Sufi music. The songs are from multiple different artists and decades, giving the listener a real good overview.

“Sufi & Bollywood.” Spotify, created by Spotify, open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX2Y6ZOyTJZfp?si=AOvvi0tgQq6ssMiWmZoZoQ

This Spotify generated playlist is a collection of songs that have been featured in Bollywood. Sufi music is often included and linked to Bollywood films. If you have seen Bollywood films this may have been your first listen with the music.

Various Artists. Best of Sufi, 1990, Spotify app.

This album is a great first look into Sufi music. While not as recent, it gives a look into the genre and has music from many of the most popular and well known Sufi artists at the time. Some of the tracks also include commentary.

YouTube Music Playlists:

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDCLAK5uy_lK5iSBOBS-KGU3M_U4DkBtn167gR-hrOw&playnext=1&si=DMHN94L5s0a7Ro5T

“Main Sufi Hoon.” YouTube Music, created by YouTube Music, music.youtube.com/playlist?list=RDCLAK5uy_lK5iSBOBS-KGU3M_U4DkBtn167gR-hrOw&playnext=1&si=DMHN94L5s0a7Ro5T

If you do not want to use Spotify, here is a YouTube made music playlist. This playlist is curated of a mix of iconic songs and artists along with newer artists. A well rounded selection of Sufi songs to listen to to introduce you to the genre.

https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kiCPhrplTbbiynDr6xnoE2CCEzrOZYeuQ&si=7arU8F-4J7bVzjsS

Pejman Tadayon. Rumi And Persian Sufi Music, 2019, YouTube Music app.

The link above is for a more recent album of Sufi music. It is also only from one artist. This album is included to add more options to listen to Persian Sufi music.

Videos:

Holm, Filip. What Is Sufi Music? (The Sound of Islamic Mysticism). Youtube, Let’s Talk Religion, 25 Feb. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMaPYccAzfw. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

A video essay overviewing the history of Sufi music, along with the philosophical and theoretical perspectives of Sufi musicians and writers. This video gives a simple introduction into the topic of Sufi music overall. It also discusses the relationship between religion and music.

“Introduction to Sufi Music | Exploring the Essence of Sufi Music | A Journey of Spiritual Expression.” YouTube, Suroor Musical, 29 July 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMIcy_zjvyw.

This video discusses the topic and themes associated with Sufi music. It is a short video but the quick basic overview gives a good jumping off point to understanding the content and how the genre differs between different regions where Sufism is practiced. It also briefly goes over different instruments used within the genre.

“Sufi Music Instruments with Sounds.” YouTube, EncyGlobe Paper, 9 July 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny149J5s4Ic&list=PLgFxcO5TBDLQGIy2tSzvT–RKxKuXJAb1&index=3.

A quick video that gives a sample of some of the instruments used in Sufi music. The video shows an image of the instrument, the name of the instrument, and a sound clip from the instrument being played. A simple way to familiarize yourself with the instruments and the music of the genre.

“Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Live in Central Park, New York – Qawwali Legend (1993).” YouTube, Soulful Voice NFAK, 9 Nov. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhDRAQG2aF4.

This is a digitized video recording of a live performance from Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The live performance was held on August 14th in 1993. It shows a lot of the crowd watching the performance while they dance and clap along with the music. this video is a great example of Sufi music and the connection it has with listeners.

“Sufi Whirling Dervishes of Istanbul.” YouTube, Istanbul, 25 June 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct29ND4lImA.

From Istanbul’s YouTube channel, we have a full performance of the Whirling Dervishes. This is to show some of the more religious aspects and performances associated with Sufi music. The caption underneath the video also delves into Mevlevi Order or Mawlawiyya and their history. It also gives background to the origins of the Sema ceremony.

“SEMA: A Cinematic Journey into Rumi & The Whirling Dervishes.” YouTube, LILA Devotional Arts, 4 Nov. 2024, www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVHKPlAOAIA.

This video is short documentary about the Sema ceremony and the Whirling Dervishes. This video also dives into the teachings of Rumi and the connection to his work with the ceremony. In this we can see both the history and how the connection the ceremony, the music and the spiritualism are interwoven.

“Epic Haq Ali Ali by Women’s Sufi Qawwali Ensemble Ilahi.” YouTube, Fanna-Fi-Allah, 3 July 2022, https://youtu.be/rySoKVz4Bzk?si=279LamNNNA51m66e. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Here we have a recorded performance of a women’s ensemble. The piece they are performing was created by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This is an example of women carrying the classical Sufi Qawwali tradition and how powerful the music is.

“Shahbaz Qalandar | Ilahi Sufi Qawwali Women’s Ensemble | Live at Bali Spirit Festival 2024.” YouTube, Fanna-Fi-Allah, 2 Dec. 2024, https://youtu.be/oSz2MjPlW4k?si=2VnBD0c3_SfUcDcm. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

This video features a more recent performance from the Sufi Qawwali Women’s Ensemble. This qawwali, known as Dama Dam Mast Qalandar is a tribute to the revered 13th-century Sufi saint, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. The lyrics are a plea for protection and blessings from the saint and are to honor his legacy.

Holm, Filip. “Rumi – The Most Famous Sufi Poet in the World.” YouTube, Let’s Talk Religion, 25 Sept. 2023, youtu.be/7xcBDg2JYkg?si=J77mh58ONw1KXcZe.

This video essay is a in-depth look into the poet Rumi. Here Holm discusses Rumi’s poetic themes, his work, their significance in Sufism and Persian literature, along with his life. It is a thorough and well researched video essay that helps you understand the importance of Rumi’s work in Sufism.

“Kali Kamalia.” YouTube, Ilahi Sufi Qawwali – Topic, 27 Mar. 2024, https://youtu.be/eQD2k0WKK1Y?si=VpnRc56GQa6f348-. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Here is a audio from YouTube from the Ilahi Sufi Qawwali Women’s Ensemble. It is another example of Sufi music and how beautiful and joyful the music is. The audio recording is taken from a live performance.

“Sufi Whirling at Persian Concert in Vancouver | Spiritual Sama Performance with Live Music.” YouTube, Whirling Dervish, 4 June 2025, youtu.be/PBcF2ef_P9I?si=tIrqL2V9f3LFdd6v.

This is a recording of a Sama performance that was from a local concert. This video was selected to not only show off the dance and the live music, but to also show that the culture has spread and embraced here in Vancouver as well. The performance is also relatively recent.

“Spiritique: Sufi Dance With Persian Music in Georgia’s Church England | Live Concert #foryoupage.” YouTube, SAG E ALI, 4 Nov. 2020, youtu.be/R9to4S8Z41Q?si=csIqMkEUXbbyJTdC.

This is another example of Sufi music also being performed live with the Whirling, this time in England. The connection of the spirituality, the dancing, and the music is incredibly strong. The fact that this particular performance is being held in a church in England once again is an example of the reach of this music and spirituality resonating with all kinds of people.