A Reading of Khaqani’s Sufism Based on a Critique of Scholars’ Perspectives

The ambiguity surrounding the status of Khaqani’s Sufism, stemming from views that consider it superficial or ephemeral, necessitates a re-evaluation of this subject. This study aims to shed light on the authenticity of Khaqani’s Sufism and to propose a new analytical framework. Using a descriptive-analytical method, evidence from Khaqani’s life (seclusion practices and interactions with Sufis), his thoughts (mystical themes), and his poetic language (linguistic innovations) are examined. The findings reveal that Khaqani, as a creative Sufi, crafted an authentic and distinctive form of Sufism, termed “Hikmi-Azerbaijani-Synthetic.” This Sufism is rooted in Islamic wisdom, manifested through the complex linguistic style of the Azerbaijani poetic tradition, and reflects a synthesis of the practical asceticism of the Baghdadi school (evident in seclusion practices) and the mystical love of the Khorasan school (expressed in his odes). Khaqani’s thirty years of seclusion and his Sufi terminology underscore his pioneering role in bridging poetry and Sufism. By introducing an innovative framework, this study redefines Khaqani’s distinct position in Persian literature and paves the way for new research on Sufism.