On the Hulaguid Khans’ Attitude Towards the Sufi Sheikhs
On the Hulaguid Khans’ Attitude Towards the Sufi Sheikhs

Summary/Abstract: This article describes the historical role of Sufism in the adoption of Islam by the Hulaguids and explains why Sufism was the easiest approach for the Mongol pagans. This study also further supports the assertion that Sufism was one of the most successful forms in which Islam spread. The Mongol rulers, having established central power in the cities of South Azerbaijan – Tabriz, Sultaniye, Maragha – nevertheless endured constant pressure from the Mongol nobility, which unlike the ruling Hulaguid dynasty formed a serious political opposition. To establish themselves in this territory, the Mongol rulers needed the support of the local Muslim population. The only way to ensure this support was to accept Islam as a state religion, which was done by Ghazan Khan. However, this process took time. The Islamic religion seemed too complicated to the Turko-Mongol pagans and shamanists. The most accessible form in which the Islamic religion could be perceived was thus Sufism, which appealed to them with its mystical elements, tales of miraculous healings, and even curses of Sufi sheikhs. In turn, the sheikhs of the Sufi orders sought friendly relations with the Hulaguid rulers in order to achieve their highest goal – the spread of Islam. In return, the Hulaguid rulers gave them much financial and moral support, which the Sufis enjoyed (as clearly indicated in the letters of Rashid al-Din Fadl-allah, most thoroughly studied by E. Browne at the beginning of the 20th century). It was obviously a multi-hued process, rich with interesting events and accompanied by vivid episodes related in sources. I have collected and used wide-ranging examples from a variety of sources and scholars in one article. I cite the works of Al-Juvaini, Mustouvi Kazvini, Rashid al-din Fadl-allah, Fadl-allah ibn Ruzbihan Khunji, Tawakkul ibn Bazzaz, together with research, editing and translation of these sources by modern scholars.

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