Shechina and the Sufi notion of Shikeina

“Early in the history of Islam, the Sufis were not satisfied with the outward observances and rituals of
religion. They wanted, instead, a religion of inner experience, an asceticism that renounced the luxuries
of the world and devoted itself purely to obedience to God.
One of the greatest Muslim mystic and theologian, al-Ghazali (1058-1111) made a formal attempt to
merge the doctrines of mysticism with the orthodox consensus of the community that was the Sunnah.
He told the other theologians that unless they created a “science of the heart” for all believers, the
doctrines of Islam would be nothing more than outward formalities devoid of any inner life or meaning.
The Sufis called the feminine Presence of God “Shikeina” after the rabbinical name for God
“Shechina.” “
Rabbi Michael Samuel