The Emotional and Doctrinal Approch to the Prophet’s Househod, Particularly Imam ʿAlī, in Persian Mystical Prose (Until the End of the Ninth Century AH)

Muslim Sufis consider their tradition as the heritage of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), especially Imam Ali (AS), and consider them as the great shaykhs and founders of their way. Nevertheless, because Sufism emerged ang grows up in a non-Shiite context and, it has known as a Sunni religion. Recognition of this duality in the Sufi belief, that is adherence to Sunni Religion and Shiite originality, seems to be a fundamental issue for understanding the Sufi thought; Therefore, this research wants to answer two questions: First, what is the Sufi’s emotional-ideological approach to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), especially Imam Ali (AS) and his speech in Persian mystical texts until the end of ninth century? And what is the tendency and devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) among the Sufis? The present study, which has been prepared in an analytical-descriptive approach and based on library studies, proves that Sufism has an evolutionary course that consists of a neutral encounter with the Innocents (AS) and the alikeness of Imams with others, and then a slight elaboration of the Ahl al-Bayt. (AS) begins and gradually reaches the peak of devotion and compassion to them and finally to Shiism.