Hujwiri, Sayyid Ali al-

Hujwiri, Sayyid Ali al-

Overview

Hujwiri, Sayyid Ali al- (d. 1072) Sayyid Ali al-Hujwiri, also known as Data Ganj Baksh, was a prominent medieval Sufi intellectual, theologian, and theoretician. He is most famous for his seminal work, Kashf al-Mahjub (Revealing the Hidden), which provides a comprehensive overview of Sufi doctrines and schools during his time. Hujwiri’s work not only enumerates twelve theoretical schools of Sufism but also evaluates their orthodoxy in the Islamic tradition.

Etymology and Translations

The name “Hujwiri” (هجويری‎) is derived from the Arabic “Hijwer” (هجوير), referencing either his place of birth or a distinguishing hallmark. Another title associated with Hujwiri is “Ganj Baksh” (گنج بخش), Persian for “Bestower of Treasures.”

In Turkish, Hujwiri can be referred to as “Huceviri” and his title Ganj Baksh as “Hazret Ganj Bağıs.”

Major Contributions

Kashf al-Mahjub (Revealing the Hidden)

In Kashf al-Mahjub, Hujwiri classifies twelve theoretical schools of Sufism, approving ten and condemning two. This critical evaluation is valuable for understanding which practices and beliefs were considered orthodox and which were deemed heretical by medieval standards.

1. Approved Schools: Hujwiri asserts that the ten approved schools embody true Islamic practices and belong to the broader orthodox Muslim community.

2. Condemned Schools:

   • Hululi Sect: Criticized for beliefs in incarnation, incorporation, and anthropomorphism.
   • Hallaji Sect: Condemned for abandoning sacred law.

His critique aimed to reconcile various dimensions of Islamic thought and practice, positioning Sufism as the spiritual core of the faith. This is reminiscent of thinkers like Al-Ghazali and Ibn al-Arabi, who also sought balance within Islamic intellectual and spiritual life.

Celibacy and Gender Views

One controversial aspect of Hujwiri’s teachings is his idealization of celibacy and his negative views related to women, which he controversially claimed as the source of all evil in the world. This perspective is a reflection of certain ascetic tendencies that were not uncommon in his era but are critically viewed in contemporary discussions.

Suggested Books for Further Studies

1. The Kashf al-Mahjub of al-Hujwiri: The Oldest Persian Treatise on Sufism - Reynolds A. Nicholson
2. The Mystics of Islam - Reynold A. Nicholson
3. Mystical Dimensions of Islam - Annemarie Schimmel
4. Sufis and Saints’ Bodies: Mysticism, Corporeality, and Sacred Power in Islam - Scott Kugle

Takeaways

• Hujwiri’s work offers invaluable insights into the legitimization and critique of various Sufi practices in medieval Islam.
• His perspective seeks to synthesize different aspects of Islamic traditions, namely legalistic, theological, and mystical or Sufi components.
• His opinions on celibacy and gender highlight broader ascetic and societal attitudes of the period.

Conclusion

Sayyid Ali al-Hujwiri remains a crucial figure in Sufi tradition and medieval Islamic thought. His work, Kashf al-Mahjub, serves not only as an academic blueprint of the period’s Sufi practices but also as a testament to the integrative efforts within the spiritual, intellectual, and social dimensions of Islam. Despite some controversial aspects, his theological and mystical contributions provide a foundational understanding for scholars and practitioners alike.