Sufism and Sunnism Connections
in Khorasan during Third to Sixth Centuries

Hadi Vakili[1]
Ensiyeh Sadat Hosseini Sharif[2]

Abstract

The Islamic Sufismor mysticism has been of especial importance in the religious history of Iran,particularly in Khorasanand prior to the reign of the Mongols. The nature of approaches taken by different Islamic religions towards this phenomenon and their alteration of positions throughouthistoryare amongimportant issues. Some Sunnite sects includingHanafite and Shafiiteshowedgreater tendency to Sufism and mysticism. From fifth century onward, this tendency and closenessled to stronger connections between mysticism and Shariah.It seems that the Shafiite clergymen had an effective role in this connection and its development. During this period, Sufism gained such an acceptance that itbegan to be seen as one of the Sunnite sects. The present study-through taking advantage of resources such as history, Melal and Nehal books, Rejal and Tabaghat and life stories of mystics and clergymen-aims to explore the ways through which the connection between Sufism and Sunnismtook place.