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Réflexions sur les formes d'autorité religieuses Réflexions sur les formes d'autorité religieuses

Sainteté, maîtrise spirituelle et patronage : les fondements de l’autorité dans le soufisme

Rachida Chih
p. 79-98

Abstracts

My paper analyses the basis of the authority of a Sufi shaykh as expounded in the writings of contemporary Egyptian Sufis. The authority of a Sufi shaykh is linked to his proximity to God, achieved through following the teachings of Sufism. This special link to God, walâya in arabic, is translated into English by the term “sainthood”. The saint in Islam, whether dead or alive, is sought for his mystical knowledge but more often for his ability to affect things in this world and the hereafter. Belief in the powers of saints has created relationships that have spread through all Muslim societies. In the second part of this paper I present my observations on the spiritual and social relationship between a Sufi shaykh and his disciples in Upper Egypt. These observations show how Sufis integrate a broader doctrine of Islam in their local social and cultural context.

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References

Bibliographical reference

Rachida Chih, « Sainteté, maîtrise spirituelle et patronage : les fondements de l’autorité dans le soufisme », Archives de sciences sociales des religions, 125 | 2004, 79-98.

Electronic reference

Rachida Chih, « Sainteté, maîtrise spirituelle et patronage : les fondements de l’autorité dans le soufisme », Archives de sciences sociales des religions [Online], 125 | janvier - mars 2004, Online since 22 February 2007, connection on 19 April 2024. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/assr/1034 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/assr.1034

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About the author

Rachida Chih

IREMAM – CNRS – Aix-en-Provence

By this author

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Copyright

The text only may be used under licence © Archives de sciences sociales des religions. All other elements (illustrations, imported files) are “All rights reserved”, unless otherwise stated.

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