Converted sufis views on the heart, soul and spirit

Humans are considered to be living beings that contain spiritual elements beyond being physical entities. Therefore, in one sense, they are members of the visible world, and in another sense, members of the unseen world. While humans are connected to this world through their bodies, they are connected to the unseen world through their invisible parts such as the heart, the soul, the soul, and the mind. The metaphysical elements of humans have been among the most striking topics in human history, as they occupy a central position in shaping feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. The heart, soul, and spirit, which have frequently been the subject of recent research in the field of psychology, have received the attention they deserve in Islamic thought since its early days and have been subjected to the most profound analyses. These elements are particularly noticeable in Islamic literature, especially in works written by the Sufi community. Undoubtedly, this is an orientation nourished by the special emphasis in the Qur'an and the hadiths on the heart, the soul, the spirit, the states and illnesses of the heart, its purification, and its perception. In recent times, it is noticeable that some Western intellectuals who have been honored with Islam through Sufism have authored works on similar topics. This study examines the views on the heart, the soul, and the spirit of four Western intellectuals who were raised in Western culture and attained guidance through Sufis and spiritual masters they encountered at some point in their lives. The primary objective of this research is to reveal the function of the heart, the soul, and the spirit—frequently discussed in the Islamic intellectual tradition and constituting the main variables in the human spiritual journey—in the journey of human perfection through the lens of converted Sufis. The study also covers the views on the heart, the soul, and the spirit found in the Sufi tradition. The goal here is to evaluate the compatibility of the views of converted Sufis with the views found in the tradition and to identify the Sufis who influenced the converts. The research revealed that the concepts of heart, soul, and spirit occupy a central place in the internal transformation processes and the construction of new identities of converted individuals. It was determined that the views compiled from the books of the converted authors are in harmony with the views presented in Sufi sources. The influence of Mevlânâ on the converts, especially regarding divine love and affection, was noteworthy; it was concluded that their perception of existence and creation was shaped around the doctrine of wahdat al-wujud (unity of existence). Qualitative research methods were predominantly used in the study. First, the lives of the Sufis in question were briefly discussed, then some concepts that would accompany the reader throughout the study were emphasized, and finally, the steps that mature the human being, bring them to perfection, and reveal the perfect human being were examined. Key Words: Convert, sufi, heart, soul, spirit.