Sufism is experiencing a renewal in the 21st century, with charismatic masters attracting new disciples and going beyond their cultural-geographic framework. This book describes the development of Sufism in Western Europe, particularly in France and Italy, through empirical research based on participant observation in four Sufi orders. It illustrates the different forms of hybridisation between the Islamic-Sufi tradition and Western esoteric discourses, producing different universalist discourses and Sufi politics in Europe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Sufism, the spiritual, mystical, and esoteric dimension of Islam, is experiencing a resurgence in the 21st century. Charismatic Sufi masters have been able to revitalize their language, attracting new disciples and transcending their cultural-geographic boundaries. This book provides a comprehensive exploration of the development of Sufism in Western Europe, particularly in France and Italy, through extensive empirical research based on participant observation in four Sufi orders. The author highlights the various forms of hybridization between the Islamic-Sufi tradition and Western esoteric discourses, particularly the Guénonian-Traditionalist and the New Age discourse. These hybridizations often result in the creation of new doctrines, rituals, and organizational structures, leading to the emergence of diverse universalist discourses that shape Sufi politics in Europe. For instance, a lack of interest in Sufism due to an impending eschatology, civic engagement, and metapolitical elitism are among the outcomes of these hybridizations.

Sufism: A Renewal in the 21st Century

Sufism, the spiritual, mystical, and esoteric dimension of Islam, is experiencing a resurgence in the 21st century. Charismatic Sufi masters have been able to revitalize their language, attracting new disciples and going beyond their cultural-geographic framework. This book describes the development of Sufism in Western Europe, particularly in France and Italy, through extended empirical research based on participant observation in four Sufi orders. The author illustrates the different forms of hybridization between the Islamic-Sufi tradition and Western esoteric discourses, in particular the Guénonian-Traditionalist and the New Age discourse. These hybridizations often involve the creation of new doctrines, rituals, and organizational structures, and produce different universalist discourses, which imply different Sufi politics in Europe, such as a lack of interest due to an imminent eschatology, civic engagement, and metapolitical elitism.

Weight: 734g
Dimension: 241 x 163 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399536097