Journal of the stylistic of Persian poem and prose
volume Number 19، number In Volume 6، September 2026 ، issue Number 124

Minhaj al-Talibin by Mahmud al-Khafi; an example of the continuity of fundamental Sufi writings in the 9th century AH

Roya Gol Ahmadi , Gholamreza Amirkhani (Author in Charge), Bahram Parvin Gonabadi , Farhad Tahmasebi

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Minhaj al-Talibin was written by Mahmud ibn Muhammad ibn Abd al-Salam Khawafi in 825 AH. This work has a mystical content and the author has tried to explain the status, positions and ethics of Sufis using verses of the Quran, prophetic hadiths, poems, speeches and stories of sheikhs. Based on the only manuscript found, the present study introduces and describes the external and content features, examines the available information about the author, the stylistics of the work and explains its importance in mystical studies of the ninth century AH.

METHODOLOGY: This research is theoretical and was conducted using a descriptive-analytical method, the main tool of which was library studies. In this research, the author conducted a summary, analysis, and final review by examining the manuscript of Minhaj al-Talibin and based on the generality of the research.

FIND There is no complete and accurate information about the author, and research into the text of the book reveals that in shaping its structure and content, he used fundamental books of Sufism such as: Sharh Ta’ruf, Risale-i Qushayriyyah, Misbah al-Hidayah, and Miftah al-Kifayyah, and some mystical and ethical works of the eighth century AH, such as Rawda’ of Khold Majd al-Khafi. In terms of thought and content, the author has less analyzed and explained complex and profound mystical concepts, and has mostly narrated poems, anecdotes, and news of the sheikhs.

CONCLUSION: The author"s adaptation and imitation of ancient Sufi books is quite evident, and he has narrated narrations from these works that are very similar to the original in terms of wording and word structure. Unlike other mystical works of the author"s era, the opinions and theories of the mystics and sheikhs of the author"s era are not seen in Minhaj al-Talibin. And from this point of view, there is no sign of the beliefs of the famous schools and paths of the author"s era in it, it is exceptional. In this regard, this research is considered an effective step towards understanding this work and its place in the history of mystical literature, especially the ninth century.

Keyword
Minhaj al-Talibin , Mahmoud Khafi , manuscript correction , Sufism , status and authorities