Study of Dr. Ali Shariati’s Point of View on Mysticism and Sufism

Dr. Ali Shariati was one of the impressive contemporary scholars and religious intellectuals in Iran who had an outstanding role in religious, political, and social arenas of his time and the proceeding one. One of his thinking elements was attention to mysticism and Sufism that were emphasized in his works again and again via the role of human soul ascent as well as the formation of his desired ideology including the three fold mysticism, equality, and liberty. Shaiati’s look toward mysticism parallel with a host of other intellectuals of the time was a critical perspective so as he could make the best use of it in favor of social objectives through refining this valuable inheritance. This approach caused him to point out the negative aspects of this huge inheritance despite valuing a lot of mystical achievements and remarkable mystics. The comparative look by Shariati toward religions, and the consequent mysticism and Sufism, as well as his impression from Protestant movement and humanism, lead him toward an inference from mysticism in which the human concerns of twentieth century is responded regarding on the one hand the proof of his status in existence and reliance on free will, liberty, and authority, and on the other hand, his quest for meaning.