Ayn al-Qudat Hamadani's innovations in the concept of Unbelief

The interrelationship between unbelief and faith constitutes a central theme in Sufi discourse, addressing both theological and existential dimensions. While in the early centuries of Islam, these concepts were predominantly interpreted within classical Islamic frameworks, a close examination of Ayn al-Qudat’s works reveals that his understanding is not only novel but also fundamentally transformative. He not only provides a unique interpretation of unbelief and faith but also introduces a new classification and specialized mystical terminology related to these concepts. This study aims to explore Ayn al-Qudat’s perspective on unbelief and faith, highlighting his theoretical innovations in this domain. It also seeks to trace his intellectual influences by critically analyzing the mystical works predating and succeeding Ayn al-Qudat, assessing the extent to which his thought impacted later mystics. In Ayn al-Qudat’s ontological model, "Kufr-i Haqiqat" (annihilation in the Divine Essence) represents the highest stage among various forms of unbelief. According to his classification, the wayfarer must traverse three distinct phases before attaining "Kufr-i Haqiqat": Kufr-i Zahir (Apparent Unbelief), Kufr-i Nafs / Mugh / Jalāli, and Kufr-i Qalb / Muhammadi / Jamāli. Upon completing this final stage, faith emerges, transforming the wayfarer into a true believer. The research findings suggest that Ayn al-Qudat’s interpretation of unbelief and faith is partly influenced by Junayd and Hallaj, yet his classification system and mystical terminology remain uniquely his own. Following Ayn al-Qudat, various scholars including Baqli in Abhar al-'Ashiqin, Nasafi in Insan al-Kamil, Bakhrazi in Awrad al-Ahbab, Shabestari in Gulshan-i Raz, and Mas'ud Dehlavi in Mir'at al-'Arifin have drawn upon his mystical insights on unbelief and faith, integrating them into their respective doctrinal frameworks.