The Aims of Sufism According to Ibn Khaldun: An Analytical Study Based on His Book "Shifa' al-Sa'il wa Tahdhib al-Masa'il"

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the phenomenon of Sufism through two complementary perspectives: the historical and the maqāṣid (objectives-based) dimensions, by referring to the intellectual contributions of early scholars, particularly Ibn Khaldun. The research emphasizes the necessity of moving  beyond purely contemplative approaches by employing a scientific-analytical framework grounded in the historical and social contexts in which Sufism  emerged and developed. It explores Ibn Khaldun’s role in offering a rational and methodological understanding of Sufism, highlighting the continued relevance of his thought in contemporary discussions on religious and social phenomena. The study concludes that any modern attempt to understand Sufism will remain incomplete without a comprehensive scientific approach that integrates both historical and maqāṣid-based dimensions.