Western Perspectives on Sufism: Identifying and Classifying Leading Scholars

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the principal scholars who have significantly contributed to the study of Sufism in the West. Sufism has been the focus of interest in the West from its classical period to modern times. By identifying and classifying these scholars into distinct categories based on their methodologies, areas of focus, and impact, the research highlights the diversity of perspectives within Western scholarship on Sufism. The study examines how these scholars have approached the complex and multifaceted nature of Sufism, including its spiritual, cultural, and historical dimensions. Through this classification, the research aims to offer a clearer understanding of the key trends and developments in Western Sufi studies, shedding light on how these scholars have shaped contemporary perceptions of Sufism in academic and public discourse not only in the Western world but also in Muslim academia. This work not only provides a valuable resource for scholars and students of Sufism in the West but also points out the gap i, e the representation of the Islamic perspective of defining and perceiving Sufism throughout the intellectual landscape from the first century onwards by the Sufi scholars and their texts that has been missing in the west  but also contributes to the broader field of Islamic studies by mapping the intellectual landscape of Sufi scholarship in the West.