A Study on Sufism Sama in the Manuscript of Latayef-e-Ashrafi

Since long time ago, Sufism Sama has had a particular status in the prose and the poetry of mystics, and has always been controvertial among sufists. Some used to call it the food for soul and some others denied and rejected it. Meanwhile, through studying the manuscript of Latayef-e- Ashrafi, the ideas of Sheykh Ashraf al-Din Semnani, the famous Iranian mystic of India during eighth and ninth centuries AH, we understand that he had a special perspective toward Sama and regarded it as listening to cunning lyrics and sufism dancing. He has divided human beings into three categories and introduced the issue of Sama according to the spiritual features of the listener in details. He believes that Sama has some specific conditions and if done by Sufi, he will enjoy eternal life. Though most of Chishti sheykhs- the formers and the latters- performed Sama and accepted it, Ashraf al-Din regards the permit of Sama conditional to the listener and the method of performing. In general, his pious attitude to Sama is considerable, so that he introduces mosque as the best place for Sama. This research aims at not only presenting a brief introduction to Seyed Ashraf al-Din Semnani and his book but also analyzing his outstanding viewpoints about Sufiam Sama.