L’altro Ibn Khaldun: il sufismo come problema politico

The article examines Ibn Khaldūn’s views on Sufism through his work Shifā’ al-­sā’il li-­tahdīb al-­masā’il. It argues that Ibn Khaldūn’s engagement with Sufism was primarily driven by political concerns, focusing on the potential impacts of extreme religious practices on indivi-­ duals and society. It also highlights Ibn Khaldūn’s cautious approach to Sufism, advo-­ cating the need for a master to guide Sufi practitioners and discouraging excessive my-­ stical practices. This stance reflects his broader ethical and normative perspectives, consistent with those in his renowned Muqaddimah. The Author underscores the cohe-­ rence between Ibn Khaldūn’s ethical views and his political philosophy, which empha-­ sizes the importance of avoiding behaviour that could pose a threat to political stabi-­ lity. The conclusion states that while Ibn Khaldūn acknowledges the legality of the Sufi path under certain conditions, he is wary of its potential to undermine societal or-­ der through the promotion of unregulated mystical practices and the autonomous inter-­ pretation of divine messages.

Parole chiave:Islamic political thought, Ibn Khaldūn, Sufism, radical Islam, Muslim phi-­ losophy, mysticism

Luca Lissoni, L’altro Ibn Khaldun: il sufismo come problema politico in "RIVISTA DI STORIA DELLA FILOSOFIA" 4/2024, pp 635-651, DOI: 10.3280/SF2024-004001