Sufi Castigator: Ahmad Kasravi and the Iranian Mystical Tradition (Routledge Sufi Series)

__Sufi Castigator__ investigates the writings of Ahmad Kasravi, one of the foremost intellectuals in Iran. It studies his work within the context of Sufism in modern Iran and mystical Persian literature and includes translations of Kasravi’s writings. Kasravi provides a fascinating topic for those with interests in Sufism and Iranian studies as he attempted to produce a form of Iranian identity that he believed was compatible with the modern age and Iranian nationalism. His stress on reason and the de-mystification of religion caused him to repudiate Sufism and much of the Sufi literary heritage as backwards and believed it a reason for the weakness of modern Iran. Kasravi’s historical observations were weak, and his writings indicate that he was working towards pre-determined conclusions. However, his works are of significance because they contributed to a major discussion in the 1930s to 1940s about the ideal image and identity that Iranians should adopt. Despite the academic weaknesses of Kasravi’s works he had a profound effect on the next generation of thinkers. __Sufi Castigator__ is stimulating and meticulously researched book and includes two lengthy translations of Kasravi’s works, __Sufism__ and __What does Hafez Say?__ and will appeal to scholars of middle eastern studies.

sufi Castigator Investigates The Writings Of Ahmad Kasravi, One Of The Foremost Intellectuals In Iran. It Studies His Work Within The Context Of Sufism In Modern Iran And Mystical Persian Literature And Includes Translations Of Kasravi’s Writings.

kasravi Provides A Fascinating Topic For Those With Interests In Sufism And Iranian Studies As He Attempted To Produce A Form Of Iranian Identity That He Believed Was Compatible With The Modern Age And Iranian Nationalism. His Stress On Reason And The De-mystification Of Religion Caused Him To Repudiate Sufism And Much Of The Sufi Literary Heritage As Backwards And Believed It A Reason For The Weakness Of Modern Iran. Kasravi’s Historical Observations Were Weak, And His Writings Indicate That He Was Working Towards Pre-determined Conclusions. However, His Works Are Of Significance Because They Contributed To A Major Discussion In The 1930s To 1940s About The Ideal Image And Identity That Iranians Should Adopt. Despite The Academic Weaknesses Of Kasravi’s Works He Had A Profound Effect On The Next Generation Of Thinkers.

sufi Castigator Is Stimulating And Meticulously Researched Book And Includes Two Lengthy Translations Of Kasravi’s Works, sufism And what Does Hafez Say? And Will Appeal To Scholars Of Middle Eastern Studies.

BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF-TITLE......Page 2 SERIES TITLE......Page 3 TITLE......Page 6 COPYRIGHT......Page 7 DEDICATION......Page 8 CONTENTS......Page 10 LIST OF FIGURES......Page 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......Page 12 1. THE BACKGROUND......Page 14 2. OPINIONS OF SUFISM IN IRAN 1850–1950......Page 26 3. SCOURGE OF THE SUFIS: KASRAVI'S REJECTION OF PERSIAN MYSTICISM......Page 58 4. “SUFISM”......Page 78 5. OPPOSITION TO THE ORIENTALISTS: KASRAVI'S CRITICISMS OF E.G. BROWNE......Page 134 6. HOSTILITY TO HAFEZ: KASRAVI'S VIEWS OF PERSIAN POETRY......Page 150 7. “WHAT DOES HAFEZ SAY?”......Page 173 CONCLUSION......Page 204 NOTES......Page 208 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY......Page 245 INDEX......Page 253 Introduction : the life of Ahmad Kasravi Opinions of sufism in Iran, 1850-1950 Scourge of the Sufis : Kasravi's views of Persian mysticism Sufism Translation of Kasravi's Sufigari Opponent of the orientalists : Kasravi's criticisms of E.G. Browne Hater of Hafez: Kasravi's opinion of the Tongue of the unseen What does Hafez say? : translation of Kasravi's Hafez cheh mi-guyad Conclusion. This is a stimulating and meticulously researched book, comprising of a translation of Kasravi's text Sufigari (Sufism), with detailed chapters that analyze his text.