ANALYTICAL STUDY OF WESTERN CRITICISM ON THE ORIGIN OF ISLAMIC MYSTICISM

Abstract

Islam is a universal religion with a great following across the globe. It has its own salient features and characteristics that mark its distinction among other religions of the world. Islamic mysticism has attained wide popularity since its inception not only in Muslim world but increasingly in the western academic circles equally. The first encounter of Islamic mystical sciences in the western world commenced during the sixteenth century.  History reveals that first connection of the west with the Muslim world after crusade restored through Persians. Western travelers businessman, diplomats frequently visited Persia and later developed interest to learn about Persian culture, religion, philosophy and poetry. Persian Sufi poets like Saadi, Hafiz and Umer Khiyam were popular poets who were translated in European languages. This academic connection shifted Persian literature into their languages along with travelogues, and personal diaries of the visitors. This developed the hypothesis that Islamic mysticism was produced by Persians who borrowed it from external sources like Christianity and Hellenistic sciences.

Present study aims to analyze this point of view and is focused to trace the origin, nature and objectives of Islamic spirituality.