Information Package / Course Catalogue
The History of Sufism
Course Code: İLH315
Course Type: Required
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 2
Objectives of the Course

To show that Sufism is a religious science whose procedures and principles are determined like other Islamic Sciences, by showing its foundations in the Quran and hadiths; To introduce Sufism through the real Sufis who abide by the religious texts and the works they wrote; Hz. To indicate the main personalities, issues, terminologies, sects and sects of Sufism in the vetire, starting from the Prophet until today; Reporting fake and perverted Sufis and sects.

Course Content

The subject, purpose, issues and terminologies of Sufism as an Islamic science. The source, methods and principles of Sufism; Major Sufis and their works; Major Sufi sects and sects; Criticisms directed at Sufis and fake Sufis and sects.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Learning Outcomes
1.To be able to understand the place and importance of Sufism in the Islamic Science tradition and to establish its connection with other Islamic sciences;
2.Being able to interpret the science of Sufism within the framework of its own methods, principles and concepts and evaluate the goal it wants to achieve in this manner;
3.To be able to observe similar and different aspects of Sufism by comparing it with spiritual purification or spiritual beliefs in other religions;
4.Being able to judge true or false/legitimate or illegitimate about individuals and organizations that take on the Sufi disguise by learning true Sufism from true Sufis and their works;
5.Based on the fact that Sufism is ultimately an enjoyable experience, being able to realize that this path, which is preferred by individuals in accordance with the religious principles, is an enriching element in society, not a marginalizing one.
6.To have a general knowledge of the Sufi orders (tariqas) that emerged in the Islamic geography, particularly in Anatolia.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Mustafa Aşkar, Sufi History Literature (Ankara: Ministry of Culture Publications, 2001)
2.Mehmet Ali Ayni, History of Sufism, sdl. Hüseyin Rahmi Yananlı (Istanbul: Kitabevi, 1992)
3.Alexander Knysh, History of Sufism, translated by İhsan Durdu (İstanbul: Ufuk Yayınları, 2011)
4.Ethem Cebecioğlu...[and beyond.], History of Sufism, edited by Ethem Cebecioğlu (Ankara: Ankara University Distance Education, 2013)
5.Hasan Kamil Yılmaz, Sufism and Sects in Outlines, edited by Hüseyin Kader (İstanbul: Ensar Neşriyat, 2007)
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Mysticism and Islamic Sufism
Week 1 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Search
Week 2 - Theoretical
General Information about Sufism (Its origin, nature, subject-matter, concepts, principles, purpose, issues, major representatives, primary sources, and schools)
Week 3 - Theoretical
Sufism as a Science: Its Place and Relationship Among Other Islamic Sciences
Week 4 - Theoretical
The Formation Period of Sufism (Between the 1st and 5th Centuries of the Hijri)
Week 5 - Theoretical
Major Sufi Figures Living in the Formation Period of Sufism (Between the 1st and 5th Centuries of the Hijri) and the Relationship Between Them
Week 6 - Theoretical
Major Sufi Works Written During the Formation Period of Sufism (Between the 1st and 5th Centuries of the Hijri) and Their Contents
Week 7 - Theoretical
Sufi Schools Emerging During the Formation Process of Sufism and Their Characteristics
Week 8 - Theoretical
General Information About Sufi Orders/Tariqas (Etiquette, methods, types of dhikr, regional origins, etc.)
Week 8 - Preparation Work
Book, Internet and Library Search
Week 9 - Theoretical
Major Sufi Orders Emerging in Anatolia and Their Activities
Week 10 - Theoretical
Continuation of the Topic “Major Sufi Orders Emerging in Anatolia and Their Activities”
Week 11 - Theoretical
Political, Social and Cultural Functions of the Sufi Orders in the Ottoman Period
Week 12 - Theoretical
Sufi Orders Active Around the World and Their Characteristics
Week 13 - Theoretical
Continuation of the Topic “Sufi Orders Active Around the World and Their Characteristics”
Week 14 - Theoretical
General Evaluation
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Presentation1%5
Verbal Examination1%5
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142142
Reading1213
Midterm Examination1314
Final Examination1314
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)53
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
PÇ-16
PÇ-17
PÇ-18
PÇ-19
PÇ-20
OÇ-1
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
OÇ-2
4
3
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
OÇ-3
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
OÇ-4
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
OÇ-5
3
3
4
4
OÇ-6
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026