Journal Of Islamic Denominations

Journal Of Islamic Denominations

The Social and Cultural Status of the Sufis of Syria (al-Shām) during the Ayyubid Era (Rule: 570 - 658 AH / 1174 - 1260 CE)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Payame Noor University, tehran, Iran
10.22034/jid.2025.457885.2496
Abstract
The Sufis of Syria (al-Shām) during the Ayyubid era had an effective presence in various dimensions of society and also held specific roles of their own. The initial and common belief in historical sources, when confronting Sufis, emphasizes their seclusion and distance from normal activities in society, considering them devoid of significant and expressible social and cultural agency. However, a more detailed examination reveals that they utilized connections with other social classes — such as kings, viziers, emirs, scholars, military personnel, the middle class, and the lower strata of society — to sustain their livelihoods and were active players at these very levels. This article, formed with a descriptive-analytical approach within the field of Sufi history studies, has gathered information through library research. The results of the investigation show that the Sufis of Syria during the Ayyubid period assumed various social and cultural roles according to their political, scholarly, and economic capabilities and the needs of society. They encompassed three diverse groups as follows: a) Court Sufis who enjoyed high political, social, and other positions; b) Dissenting and deviant Sufis, such as the Haririyyah and Qalandariyyah; c) Common Sufis and reclusive ascetics.
Keywords
Subjects

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