Imām ʻAli in Sufi Literature (With an Emphasis on the Sufi Texts up to the 12 C.E.)

Subject Areas : Christianity

زهرا Ebrahimi ¹ , ابوالفضل Mahmoudi ²

1 - دانش‌آموخته دکتری رشته عرفان اسلامی، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران
2 - دانشیار گروه ادیان و عرفان، واحد علوم و تحقیقات، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تهران، ایران

Received: 2017-01-12 Accepted : 2017-01-12 Published : 2016-11-21

Keywords: Imām ʻAli, Sufism, Shiism, the miracles of Imams, mystical dreams,

Abstract :

In Sufi literature there are important materials on Imam Ali's life and teachings so one can consider Sufi literature as a proper source for knowing him. With an emphasis on four important aspects this essay tries to describe the place of Imam Ali in the Sufi texts. These four aspects are as follows: 1) the description of Imam Ali’s character according to traditions used by Sufis, 2) the relationship of Imam Ali with the other Caliphs, 3) miracles that ascribe to him, 4) Sufis' experiences of meeting Imam on dreams. It should be noted that all the above-mentioned aspects are based on the Sufi texts up to the twelve century C.E. The essay leads to the conclusion that Sufis’ perception and understanding of the Imam’s status is to a large extent close to Shi'ite understanding of Imam Ali, and it is on this ground that one can increasingly emphasize the closeness of Sufism and Shi'ism.