The Spiritual Practice in Islamic Mysticism: an Alternative to Revelation or an Imitation

Abstract

In the present paper an attempt has been made to give an outline of the development of Islamic mysticism (Sufism), the doctrine of direct cognition of the eternal. In particular, the author seeks to give a detailed account of the Sufi theory and practice, with reference to Islamic ontology and the three kinds of cognition (rational, intuitive and mystical). A study of the Sufi theory and spiritual practice as undertaken here is basing on the method of analysis of the ontological and gnoseological views of Islamic mystics.