Andalusi exceptionalism: the example of “Philosophical Sufism” and the significance of 1212

• Akasoy, Anna ^[1]
  1. [1] University of Bochum
• Localización: Journal of Medieval Iberian Studies, ISSN-e 1754-6567, ISSN 1754-6559, Vol. 4, Nº. 1, 2012, págs. 113-117
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In both medieval and modern times, al-Andalus was often seen as distinctive or even exceptional within the Islamic world and within Islamic history. Among its distinctive features figure the almost uniform Malikism and the long-lasting support for the Umayyad cause. Others are associated with the end of Muslim rule over al-Andalus. In this context, 1212 can be seen as a prelude to the iconic event, 1492. The defeat of the Almohads can also be considered responsible for other distinctive features of Andalusi culture. Another phenomenon mostly associated with Andalusis is the “intellectual” or “philosophical” Sufism of Ibn ʿArabī (1165–1240), Ibn Sabʿīn (1217–70), al-Shushtarī (1212–69) and ʿAfīf al-Dīn al-Tilimsānī (1213–91), most of whom emigrated from al-Andalus to the East. It remains unclear to what extent this branch of Sufism existed in al-Andalus before the Almohad period, not least because the works of these Sufis do not lend themselves to a reconstruction of a coherent doctrine which combines elements of philosophy and of mysticism. In fact, the phenomenon of “philosophical Sufism” may be a creation of Eastern responses to these Sufis. The exodus of Andalusi Sufis to the Mashriq in the aftermath of 1212, in particular following the Christian conquests of cities in the 1230s and 1240s, may thus have led to the development of an intellectual and religious phenomenon that is considered characteristic of al-Andalus.