Iqbal's Critique of Tasawwuf: Reinterpreting Mysticism in the Light of Dynamic Spirituality

Abstract

According to Iqbal (d. 1356/1938), when Islam passed through Western and Central Asia, it was influenced by what he calls ajamiyyat i.e. Persianism. ^[i]

Consequently Sufism was heavily influenced by this, losing therefore much of its original character. What are these influences that he is so critical about? Does his critique imply a rejection of Sufism in total? This article aims to address these and similar other questions.

[i]      Muhammad Iqbal, "Islam and Mysticism," The New Era, Lucknow, 28 July 1917, pp. 250-51, as cited in Speeches Writings and Statements of Iqbal, pp. 154-6, compiled and edited by Latif Ahmed Sherwani (Lahore: Iqbal Academy, 1995), p. 155, hereafter cited as Iqbal, Speeches and Writings.