Criticism of Sufism from the point of view of Abul Faraj Abd al-Rahman Ibn Jozi and the answer to the criticisms based on the opinions of Imam Khomeini (PBUH).

Dissertation for receiving a master's degree in the field

Islamic mysticism

Abstract:

One of the important critics of Sunnis in the 6th century is Abul Faraj Abdul Rahman Ibn Jozi (died 597). He has devoted most of the book "Talbis Iblis" to criticizing the views and manners of Sufis. In his opinion, among the tricks of the devil with Sufis are leaving business and marriage, living in seclusion, wearing a cloak and popularizing hearing, thinking about building a belief in reconciliation and unity, and claiming divine love. In another book called "Said al-Khater", he criticized Sufiya in various places, but the opponents of Sufiya have welcomed his book Talbis Iblis more. However, he considers the early sheikhs of Sufiya to be righteous predecessors and does not consider them among heretics. He mentioned many Sufis in "Safa al-Safwa".

From the 7th century, some Imami Shia scholars tried to establish the foundation of Shia mysticism. A group of scholars who are under the influence of Ibn Arabi and his commentators distinguish between Sufis who are committed to observing the Sharia outwardly and inwardly, and those who have non-Sharia customs and teachings. In general, almost all Shiite scholars and jurists whose works have mystical tendencies are among them. For example, in the works of Imam Khomeini (pbuh), there are words in praise of the eloquence of the master of Sufism and the use of truths told by people of discovery and austerity. Also, in some of his works, he has compared the hadiths of the innocents regarding the purification of the soul with the conditions and mystical authorities, and he has considered scholars such as Seyyed Ibn Tavus, Sheikh Baha'i, and Muhammad Taqi Majlisi among the mystics. At the same time, Imam Khomeini (PBUH) has criticized the Sufis for the reason that they only pay attention to the inner affairs of religion and do not pay attention to its political and social aspects.

Generalities

1. Statement of the problem:

Sufism and Sufi ideas have always been criticized and insulted throughout history by the people of Sharia, reason and custom. In general, among Sunni scholars, there have been almost two main currents against Sufism: a group that agrees with some aspects of Sufism but opposes some opinions and customs of Sufis and separates Sunni Sufism (the Sufism of the early elders of Sufism almost until the fourth century) from esoteric Sufism (Ahl al-Ghul) or philosophical Sufism whose representatives are Hallaj, Ibn Arabi and their followers. This group of representatives of such Sufism strongly criticizes it and considers it to be influenced by Indian mysticism, Christianity and Greek philosophers, and another group of opponents of Sufism are the followers of the Wahhabi movement (followers of Muhammad Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who died in 1206) and Salafism (followers of Muhammad Abdu, who died in 1323), who consider Sufism to be a deviation from Islam, destructive and completely heretical. Of course, among the Salafists there are those who consider some Sufis of the early centuries to be exempt from the ruling of takfir. One of the serious critics of Sufism is Abul Faraj Abd al-Rahman Ibn Jozi (died 597), who criticized the teachings of Sufism in several works. He, who is considered one of the important critics of the Sunnis in the 6th century, although he considers the early Sheikhs of Sufis as "righteous predecessors" and does not consider them among the heretics, but he devoted most of his famous book Talbis Iblis (pp. In his opinion, among the devil's tricks with the Sufis are abandoning business and marriage, seclusion, wearing a robe that is the garment of fame, popularizing hearing, singing, and dancing, commenting on construction, believing in reconciliation and unity, and claiming divine love. He criticized Sufism in another book called Sayyid al-Khater (in various places, including pp. 54, 60, 108, 202, 205, 298, and 352), but his book Talbis Iblis has been more welcomed by opponents of Sufism. It belongs to the tradition of Islamic mysticism, which is mainly indebted to the thoughts of Ibn Arabi.

The writer's attempt is to express the critical views of Ibn Juzi and the answers given to these criticisms, especially emphasizing the opinions of Imam Khomeini (PBUH). Imam Khomeini (pbuh) in his mystical works, including the books Sir al-Salwa - Adab al-Salwa - Commentary on the hadith of Junod al-Aql wa Jahl and Misbah al-Hidaye, while using verses and traditions well and with special gentleness, expressed pure mystical points that we will benefit from these points in the following discussion.Necessity and importance of the topic: Since it is stated in the definition of Sufism that it is a serious religion that is not mixed with any kind of humor, and for example they said: Sufism is the purification of the heart from impurities and deviations from natural morality, avoiding carnal claims and the descent of spiritual attributes and clinging to the truth and truth. The problems and refutations that have been brought to the tradition of Islamic Sufism by the people of Sharia, custom and jurists, research on these criticisms - especially its leaders such as Ibn Juzi, Ibn Taymiyyah and those who work in this field - can give a clearer picture of Islamic Sufism to researchers. The answers related to these criticisms are stated and the opinions and thoughts of Imam Khomeini (pbuh) are discussed in the last chapter.

4. The main question and sub-questions of the research:

· Main question:

What are the most important criticisms of Ibn Juzi on the Sufis and what answers can be given to them based on the opinions of Imam Khomeini (p>)

· Sub-questions:

ü According to the opponents of Sufism, including Ibn Juzi, what are the criticisms on the theoretical aspects (unity of existence and divine love) and practical aspects (rituals such as Marka'ah, Sama', Wajd, Murshid and Merid) of Sufism?

ü Who and how have they responded to the above criticisms? 

5. Presuppositions:

Islamic Sufism has been criticized and criticized by Shia and Sunni jurists and jurists since the first centuries due to the inclusion of certain opinions. 

6. Research background:

Title of articles:

Sufism and Shiism - In conversation with Nasrullah Pourjavadi - Haft Asman publication This article examines the view of jurists and scholars who were mainly in the Safavid period as an outward view and the internal criticisms of Sufism in the fourth and fifth centuries. And it is considered more ponderable. ü Shi'i and Sufism - Nasr, Seyyed Hossein - Irfan Iran- 1379

What is stated in the above articles is related to part of the second part of this thesis and it is very helpful in mentioning some of the issues. It presents the accusations that have been made against Ain al-Qadat and then examines Ain al-Qadat's defenses and his answers.

ü Mystical researches (searching in ancient sources) - Author: Dr. Nasrullah Pourjavadi: In the lasting research chapter, which is the third article of this book, the character and Sufi opinions of Ibn Yazdaniyar Ermoi, who is one of the controversial figures in the second half of the third century and the beginning of the fourth century, are examined.

ü Helpers of the master's wisdom and unspoken secrets: This book, written by Reza Chizari against Sufiism and the monastery, became rare very quickly and not much is known about its contents. 

ü The value of Sufi heritage: Dr. Zarin Koob in the Sufi and Sufism chapter of this book, while discussing Islamic Sufism and mysticism, expresses a fair and critical theory about the hypotheses of Orientalists in this regard. The main theme of this book is the ups and downs that took place in Sufism during 250 years - from the middle of the 18th century to the middle of the 20th century - in the Islamic world and the positions that Sufis have taken in facing the social and political developments and new phenomena of these two centuries.

üSufi criticism: In the second chapter of this book, Mohammad Kazem Yusufpour has expressed the external and internal criticism of Sufism based on the viewpoint of the Shiites (relying on the hadiths and traditions and the opinions of Shia scholars) and the Sunnis (relying on Ibn Juzi's dubs of Iblis). It discusses his works and presents points of view that are opposite to his views and answers the refutations by using the works of Imam Khomeini.

8. Research hypotheses:

Ibn Juzi's criticism is mainly on Sufi customs and rituals, and he considers them heresy in Islam and unprecedented.