Sufism and Philosophy in the Contemporary Shia Seminary - by Seyedamirhossein Asghari (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

What is the place of Sufi and philosophical thought in Shi'ism today?

This book delves into the ongoing debate within the contemporary Shia seminary over the role of Sufi and philosophical thought in interpreting religion. It examines two opposing schools: the Sufi School of Najaf, which harmonizes philosophy, Sufism, and revelation, and the Maktab-i Tafkik (School of Separation), which rejects such integration.
Tracing their historical development from the mid-19th century to the present, the book explores how these schools emerged and spread, analyzing their contrasting approaches to religion.

Beyond historical narrative, it provides an in-depth analysis of the philosophical and theological arguments of each school, highlighting their differing views on the soul, divine revelation, and the interplay of reason and faith.
By examining manuscripts, historical texts, and personal memoirs, the book offers a nuanced perspective on the intellectual currents shaping today's Shia thought, inviting readers to reconsider the relationship between philosophy, Sufism, and Shia theology.

Review Quotes

"This is an important work on a neglected field in Shi'i Studies. SeyedAmirHossein Asghari is to be commended, his contribution is original and provides much needed insight into the mystical dimension of Shi'ism." --Liyakat Takim, Professor, McMaster University, Canada

"Countering a view of the Ayatullahs of Iraq and Iran as conservative guardians of the rigid system of Shii Islamic law, this work documents the existence of a semi-covert tradition of mystical and philosophical engagement with profound religious questions and the resulting debates and conflicts over the proper modes of study and paths to religious truth." --Devin J. Stewart, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor, Emory University, US

"Sifting through layers of historical data and analytical argumentation, Sufism and Philosophy in the Contemporary Shia Seminary demonstrates how ?ikmat and ?irfan have been contested by and integrated into Shi?i circles of learning-from Najaf to Qom-down to our own day. As such, this book gives readers an unparalleled exposition of the inner workings of contemporary Twelver thought and a window into the lives of the major spiritual and intellectual figures who shaped it." --Mohammed Rustom, Professor of Islamic Thought and Global Philosophy, Carleton University, Canada

"To outsiders, the Shi'ite religious establishment looks unified and inaccessible with its masses of solemn men in black or white turbans. However, Dr. Asghari has documented that beneath the surface uniformity profound divisions exist that go back centuries. Mystics, philosophers, and neo-fundamentalists discretely contend. Secret spiritual lineages go back centuries. Old disputes resurface in the new conditions of the Islamic Republic of Iran, invisible to those who do not know where to look or understand the genealogies of teachers. This is a book that will give pause to any who imagined that the mullas and ayatollahs of Iran could be treated as a unity." --John Walbridge, Indiana University Bloomington, USA

"Asghari's Sufism and Philosophy in the Contemporary Shia Seminary offers a fresh perspective on a topic that deserves more attention: the legacy of Sufism within Twelver Shi?i seminaries. Drawing from primary sources in Persian and Arabic and integrating a broad range of secondary literature, Asghari examines the complex intersections of Sufism, Shi?i Islam, and philosophy, while also addressing ongoing debates within Shi?i scholarly circles. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of Sufism, Twelver Shi?i thought, and Islamic intellectual history." --Cyrus Ali Zargar, author of Religion of Love: Sufism and Self-Transformation in the Poetic Imagination of ?A ar

About the Author

SeyedAmirHossein Asghariis a Research Associate in the Department of Religion at Baylor University and a Senior Fellow at Indiana University Bloomington's Center for the Study of the Middle East. He holds a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies and Religion. His research focuses on Islamic intellectual traditions, Sufism, interreligious understanding, law and ethics, natural law, and Shiism.