What is Islamic Esotericism, and how does it relate to Western Esotericism?

Thanks to Liana Saif’s work, we delve into Islamic esotericism within the broader context of global esoteric traditions, critically assessing the field’s traditional focus on Western esotericism. We scrutinize the foundational role of scholars like Mircea Eliade and Henry Corbin in shaping Western-centric esoteric narratives. The episode addresses key questions:

– How has Western-centric scholarship influenced the study of Islamic esotericism?

– What are the challenges and implications of integrating Islamic esoteric traditions into a global esoteric framework?

– How do cultural, religious, and historical factors intersect in the practice of esotericism across societies?

Through the insights of Wouter Hanegraaff and Kennet Granholm, the episode urges a reevaluation of esoteric studies to embrace the richness of traditions that transcend the East-West dichotomy. It raises important issues related to cultural exchange, identity, and the aftermath of colonialism in shaping esoteric practices. The work of Naṣr Ḥāmid Abū Zayd is highlighted, emphasizing philosophical inquiry in the interpretation of sacred texts within Islamic mys

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REFERENCES

Granholm, K. (2013). Locating the West: Problematizing the Western in Western Esotericism and Occultism. In H. Bogden & G. Djurdjevic (Eds.), Occultism in Global Perspectives (pp. 17–36). London: Acumen Publishing.

Hamza, F. (2017). Locating the ‘Esoteric’ in Islamic Studies. In M. Daneshgar & W. A. Saleh (Eds.), Islamic Studies Today: Essays in Honor of Andrew Rippin (pp. 354–366). Leiden: Brill.

Hanegraaff, W. J. (2013). A Guide for the Perplexed. London and New York: Bloomsbury Academic.

Melvin-Koushki, M. (2017). De-orienting the study of Islamicate Occultism. Arabica, 64(3–4), 287–296.

Saif, L. (2019). What is Islamic Esotericism? Correspondences, 7 (1), 1-59.

Sorgenfrei, S. (2018). Hidden or Forbidden, Elected or Rejected: Sufism as ‘Islamic Esotericism’? Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 29(2), 145–165.

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00:00 Introduction: Liana Saif’s Scholarly Work

02:27 Support Angela’s Symposium

03:27 The Globalisation of Esotericism

06:40 The Call for a Reevaluation of the Delineation within Islamic Studies

09:06 The Philosophical Underpinnings of Esotericism in Islam

10:55 Bāṭiniyya – Islamic Esotericism

13:15 Islamic esotericism as a Concept within European Thought

14:27 Islamic Traditionalism in Sunni and Shia Esoteric Thought

15:31 Perennialism Framed in Islamic Esotericism

16:21 Methodology for Studying Esotericism in Islam

17:30 A Look at Mysticism and Sufism

19:40 Four Principles to Understanding Islamic Esotericism

21:02 Islamic Esotericism and Politics

22:40 Western Esotericism Re-influencing Eastern Esotericism

23:15 Support Angela’s Symposium

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Published on March 10, 2024