Abstract

At the early period of mysticism, Sufis gradually, under guidence of the outstanding masters, set up Khanqah as their largest and the most societal institution. After stability of Sufism, Khanqah in Islamic-Iranian mysticism turned into a center both of gathering of scholars, Sufis and of training their disciples. Khanqāh played a key role in the education, training, and development of the followers. Since coping with rules and special customs are key to a peaceful, collective life, specific manners and rules were ordained for disciples’ entrance and exit so as to provide not only a place of peace and quiet for them there but also assure the punishment of those trespasser to stop the differences and in that way pave the way for the spiritual and ethical completion. This article is an attempt to reflect the key role of Khaneghah in the growth of Islamic Sufism based on the outstanding Sufi texts till the seventh century AH, also known as the era of practical mysticism.

Keywords

• Khāneqhāh
• Khāneqhah’s Rituals
• Islamic Mystical Texts
• The Evolution of Islamic Sufism