Islamic Art Studies

Islamic Art Studies

Sufism and Painting: The Influence of Safavid Sufi Mystics' Customs and Thoughts on the Concepts of Tabriz School of Painting

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ali Hayat 1
Mohammadreza Sarfi 2
Enayatullah Sharifpour 2
1 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
2 Department of Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
10.22034/ias.2022.311315.1775
Abstract
Customs were among the principles of Sufi mysticism. Observing customs was a measure of disciples' adherence to Sufism and, consequently, preserving the tradition of the Prophet and the Imams. In Sufi thought, specific customs governed every behavior, and their implementation played a crucial role in the acceptance or rejection of Sufis within the circle of mystics. Practicing customs was, in fact, a permit for a Sufi's survival in the guise of mystics, and deviating from them led to exclusion from the Sufi circle. The accurate transmission of customs was also a significant concern that preoccupied the minds of Sufi masters across various eras, as the origin of customs lay in Quranic verses, Hadiths, traditions, and the conduct of the Prophet and the Infallibles. Any negligence in practicing or narrating these customs was considered a sacrilegious error.
This study, after explaining the definitions and importance of "adab" in mystical texts, demonstrates the differences among various customs. The article is conducted using a descriptive-analytic method. Initially, the term "adab" had a limited, aristocratic, and exclusive meaning, but the influence of Islam and the spread of Sufism led to its evolution and eventual elevation in meaning. The results of this research show that prominent masters such as Ayn al-Qudat, Aziz al-Din Nasafi, and Rumi focused more on the spiritual aspect of customs than their outward appearance, thus taking a lenient stance towards observing their external aspects. In contrast, other Sufis like Baharzi, Suhrawardi, and Kashani did not spare any detail in expressing customs and did not neglect caution.
Sufi thoughts during the Safavid era also found explicit expression in the painting of the second Tabriz school.
Research Objectives:

To study Islamic Sufism from the perspective of customs.
To examine the mutual influence of Islamic Sufism and Islamic painting (Tabriz School of Painting).

Research Questions:

What are customs in Islamic Sufism?
What is the influence of Islamic Sufism on Islamic painting?
Keywords
Customs
Sufism
Mysticism
Mystical Texts
Islamic Art
The Holy Quran.
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