The Origins of Andalusian Mysticism

In this episode, we delve into the diverse world of Islamic mysticism beyond just Sufism. Join us as we explore the various types of mysticism that have existed throughout the history of Islam. Discover the differences and similarities between them, and gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating aspect of Islamic spirituality.

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Music by:
Filip Holm
Yinon Muallem

Most of my music can be found here:

Sources/Further Reading:

Casewit, Yousef (2017). "The Mystics of al-Andalus: Ibn Barrajan and Islamic Thought in the Twelfth Century". Cambridge University Press.

Casewit, Yousef (2020). "Shushtarī’s Treatise on the Limits of Theology and Sufism: Discursive Knowledge (ʿilm), Direct Recognition (maʿrifa), and Mystical Realization (taḥqīq) in al-Risāla al-Quṣāriyya". Article. Divinity School, The University of Chicago.

Casewit, Yousef (2020). "The Treatise on the Ascension (al-Risālaal-miʿrājiyya): Cosmology and Time in the Writings of Abū l-Ḥasan al-Shushtarī (d. 668/1269)". In "Light upon Light: Essays in Islamic Thought and History in Honor of Gerhard Bowering". Edited by Jamal J. Elias & Bilal Orfali. Brill.

Cornell, Vincent J. (Tranlated by) (1996). "The Way of Abu Madyan: The Works of Abu Madyan Shu'ayb". The Islamic Text Society.

Cornell, Vincent J. (1998). "Realm of the Saint: Power and Authority in Moroccan Sufism". University of Texas Press.

Ebstein, Michael (2014). "Mysticism and Philosophy in al-Andalus: Ibn Masarra, Ibn al-Arabi and the Isma'ili Tradition". Brill.

Fierro, Maribel (2005). "Proto-Malikis, Malikis, and reformed Malikis in al-Andalus". In "The Islamic School of Law: Evolution, Devolution, and Progress". Edited by Peri Bearman, Rudolph Peters & Frank E. Vogel. Harvard University Press.

Karamustafa, Ahmet T. (2007). "Sufism - the formative period". Edinburgh University Press.

Knysh, Alexander (2000). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". Brill.

Stroumsa, Sarah & Sara Sviri (2009). "The Beginnings of Mystical Philosophy in al-Andalus: Ibn Masarra and his Epistle on Contemplation". JSAI 36. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Wymann-Landgraf, Umar F. Abd-Allah (2013). "Malik and Medina: Islamic Legal Reasoning in the Formative Period". Brill.

#sufism #mysticism #andalucia

[yinon]

I just started writing my Ph.D. on Islamic Andalusi mysticism (and its possible connections to Jewish Spanish Kabbalah), so I was especially happy to see a video addressing this topic. Thank you!

[wrenlittle]

Young man, you give this old lady hope for the future. I thank you.
I wonder what our world would look like if we took time to observe the wisdom and beauty in the words of those who came before us in every religion; instead of insisting on creating the wheel all over again in each generation.

[Bosniak]

In my family, here in Bosnia, we are traditionally Sufie's and dervishes ... It was story about one ancestor, who came from this area of Andalusia/Spain.After DNA test, result show that some ancestors came from this area and that they are of "Iberian" origin ... Interesting to me ... Greetings from Bosnia

[Alice-mvpj]

I'm from Andalusia, I wish we learned more about that period in school. Great video, loved it.

[michaeldomeier]

I’ve learned more about Islam in the last 26 minutes than I did in my public education in the United States. Thank you.

[samwill]

Here in America we have a LOT to learn about Islam, doing the good work by spreading understanding even in your small way

[goldentome]

You explained our history million times better than our history book 📖 😢, im really glad that i subscribed to you

[mtdteedee]

This is the inner dimension of Islam the heart
Which only begins to develop when hearts cleaned from the impurity’s the egotistical state. Its actually a golden chain of saints sages known as the auwlia linked to onesses of the creator and service to mankind.
Very intellectual realm with many stations levels maqaam. Good explanation 🙏🥛🙏

[porridgepatrol]

OH MY GOD I WAS LITERALLY JUST THINKING ABOUT THIS TOPIC AS YOU BROUGHT UP THE DISTINCT MYSTICAL TRADITION OF THE ISLAMIC WEST IN YOUR ALSHUSTARI VIDEO. I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWENE THE WESTERN AND EASTERN MYSTICAL TRADITIONS AND LO AND BEHOLD YOU JUST MADE A VIDEO ON IT GOD BLESS YOU BRO

[ENOC]

Islamic mysticism is so great, so intuitive and conected to nature. The idea of the Universe or Nature as a Cosmic Quoran remind me thinkers as Spinoza or hindu mistics as Shankara. Great video.

[arifshahabuddin]

I am writing you from Cordoba, Spain. I visited the Mezquita earlier today. This is an awe-aspiring edifice. Tomorrow, I go to Seville. Next week, to North Morocco. And in two weeks, back to the States. I was in Toledo and Granada in late 2021 and visited the Alhambra at that time. Your pictures brings back memories (even from earlier today!).

In Andalusia, the culture is highly influenced by their Islamic past as shown in their cuisine (e.g. paella), music (e.g. flamenco (with a heavy dose of Roma culture too)) and language. They celebrate ibn Arabi, ibn Rushd and ibn Maymun (Maimonides) in small ways and big. Andalusia is a magical place. I cannot imagine but that Sufism would make its mark on this land. Thanks, as always, for your videos.

[janet.snakehole]

I have been living in Granada the last 3+ years. there's so much history here ♥

[HulaguKhan]

Thing I love about Sufism is it gives you freedom to your own interpretation of Quran & Sunnah, whereas Wahhabi ideology you have to follow the interpretation of ped0-Najdi Sheikhs hiding in Saudi Arabia. Also, in Sufism you can keep your original culture, where as in Wahhabi cult, every NonArab dresses like Bedouin Arab. Sufis even in corporate good logical things about other religion as long as they don’t contradict the Quran.

[bradisaacson]

An amazing presentation. I was unaware of this topic but it is synchronous with my own life in contemplation of self, world and the Divine. It's always gratifying to find traditions that correlate with my own "tradition' of self enquiry. Thank you!

[avroml]

That's funny: two weeks ago, while strolling in narrow alleys of old Córdoba, I came across the Nematollahi sufi centre. I immediately thought that you should make a video about Andalusian Sufism. An accident? I don't think so… ;)

[Cibershadow]

Thank you so much for these videos on mysticism. I'm from Portugal and, although born Catholic Christian, both my parents had throughout my early years taught me various mystical concepts that they referred to as Kabballistic and I've always been passively curious.

In seeing your video on the teachings of Al-Arabi and this video on Andalucian mysticism I can see many origins of my beliefs, early teachings and culture within Islam, which is fascinating to me.

In doing so you have completely changed my perspective on the Islamic faith, and have helped me gain access to so many vibrant religious perspectives.

Thank you, and I wish you the best.

[happyfernando]

every time i read Golestan Sadi, the name of Qortaba (Córdoba) reminds me of sufies of Andalucia and their connection with the Iranian sufies. greetings from shiraz, center of Iranian sufies.

[bagavondo]

i gotta admit, i am not a practical religious person, nor theorethical for that matter but the way you present some old forgotten ideas is very refreshing and immersive and you make it actual again, at least for me. thank you for that

[MilanNenin]

This was one of the most interesting videos you made on the topic. I am very interested in that particular geographical, historical and spiritual area. Please keep up the talk on Andaluzian topics both in history, music and spritual tradition. Thank you so much for your work.

[leonstenutz]

Tak so mycket -- gracias Filip. So deeply appreciated this session -- and your work in general. Blessings from Bolivia.