A Comparative Analysis of Ṣūfī and Karramiyya Activities Helping the Spread of Islam in Eastern Iran (3rd-5th centuries A.H./9th-11th centuries A.D.)

Taṣavvuf and Karramiyya were both influential forces in Eastern Iran. An instance of their social influence was the spread of Islam in this area. The present paper uses the comparative approach to explore the reasons behind Ṣūfīs’ and Karramiyya’s success in spreading Islam. The study applies the descriptive-analytical method in an attempt to answer this question: What was the main cause of Ṣūfīs’ and Karramiyya’s success in spreading Islam? The paper reveals that this success can be attributed to the Ṣūfīs’ manners and ways of communicating with people, in addition to the fact that they adopted the right commercial methods. These commercial methods include asceticism, simple and clear language, slogans aiming for equality, and making use of the Khānqāh. The Karramiyya’s success in spreading Islam can be attributed to their ʾIrjāʾī beliefs, asceticism, simple language, applying the Fiṣalī Method, and making use of the Khānqāh in order to spread their beliefs. The Ṣūfīs achieved more success in spreading Islam, compared to Karramiyya. That is because alongside employing the aforementioned methods and ideas, they talked about a God whose kindness overrode his anger. Such a view would surely appeal more to the people.