Sufism originated with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and his son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib, who scholars consider the founder of Sufism. The core philosophy of Sufism is achieving "unity" with God through practices like music, dance, and poetry. Sufis strive for spiritual enlightenment and connection with God, most notably through their famous "whirling dance". Today, Sufism continues its enduring focus on the love of God through philosophical teachings and mystical practices.