The earliest evidence of Daf dates back to Sassanid Iran. The Pahlavi (an ancient Iranic language) name of Daf is dap. Some pictures of dap have been found in the paintings to be painted before the birth of Christ. Dafs were part of religious music in Iran much before Sufism. In fact, Iranian music has always been a spiritual tool.

A Daf is a large-sized frame drum with a soft, deep tone which is used to accompany both popular and classical music in Iran. It is a thin band made of hard wood, covered with goatskin on one side and equipped with rings along the rim. The Daf is held with both hands at shoulder height. Tones of various depth and colures are played by hitting different spots on the skin with the fingers.