Hamdun Qassar Neishaburi and the Idea of Remonstration

Malamatia (the people of remonstration) is a sufi sect that has remarkably been prevalent among mystic poets, writers and people. The idea of remonstration was first introduced by Hamdun Qassar Neishaburi in Neishabur. Abu Abd al-Rahman Salmi, Abu Amr ibn Najidd student, was a follower of Malamatia. He has spoken about Hamdun Qassar Neishaburi and the cult of remonstration (malamat) in his book "Tabaqat al-Sufia". He is an authority in field. There were two outstanding groups among Sufis: the people of sahv (sobriety) and the people of sokr (inebriety). The former believed in the respecting the appearances of the religion and avoiding dancing and singing, but the latter took no heed of the appearances and loved the sufi audition and enthusiasm. This article deals with the idea of remonstration in the life and thoughts of Hamdun Qassar Neishaburi.