Final answer:
Bhakti movement and Sufism are both mystical movements that emphasize a personal and direct relationship with the divine, challenging established religious hierarchies. They share the use of poetry and music in devotion, and both have significantly influenced the cultural and religious landscapes within Hinduism and Islam respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bhakti movement and Sufism share similarities in terms of personal devotion to the divine and the use of poetry and music as means of spiritual expression. Both movements emerged as reforms against established religious practices; Bhakti within Hinduism around 6th century AD in South India and Sufism within Islam during the 7th century. While Bhakti focused on redefining the relationship between the devotee and the deity without necessity of the priestly class, Sufism emphasized a personal, mystical union with Allah through ascetic practices, meditation, and rituals like dancing and poetry.Bhakti and Sufi traditions greatly influenced their respective religions by promoting a direct link between individuals and the divine, bypassing ecclesiastical hierarchies and rigid scholasticism. Bhaktis challenged the authority of Brahmins by emphasizing individualistic devotion, while Sufis introduced a more introspective and personal approach to Islam, as opposed to a solely legalistic practice. Both traditions have paved ways for cultural exchanges, spread of their religions, and have fostered eclectic forms of worship that integrated local cultural elements.In poetry and art, figures such as Rumi, Hafiz, and Kabir illustrate the soul's intense desire to unite with the divine. Through symbols like the Tavern of Ruin, they express the notion of ecstatic divine love that is found in both Bhakti and Sufi traditions.