The Emergence and Development of Mysticism: 1st-Late 5th Century Hegira

In Islamic culture, what has been introduced as "mystical states and stages" was first presented as moral and faith-related concepts in Quran and the Prophet's Sunna, and gradually transformed into Prophet's companions, followers and other Muslim's actions. The inwardly and spiritual aspect of the states and stages and their impact upon human soul changed their state form moral to spiritual and inwardly; the phrase "mystical terms", therefore, came into being. According to some of Sunnite mystics, the first person to discuss mystical states and stages in Islam was Imam Ali. Afterwards the subject of mystical states and stages has been taken into consideration and developed by his companions and also ascetics and mystics. Drawing upon the original mystical texts, the present study examines when the concept of mystical states and stages emerged and how it evolved until late 5th century Hegira.