The life, works, and sufi thought of Abû al-ʿAbbâs Ahmad al-Bûnî

This dissertation examines the intellectual and Sufi dimensions of Abu al-'Abbâs Ahmad al-Bûnî within their historical context through a text-based analytical approach. The central research problem lies in the distortion of information in the existing literature, the inconsistent use of sources, and the lack of a systematic evaluation of al-Bûnî's Sufi perspective. In this regard, the primary aim of the study is to identify al-Bûnî's Sufi views based on classical sources and manuscript evidence, to analyze these views within the framework of the concepts of tahalluq and tahaqquq, and to contribute to the re-evaluation of his intellectual legacy. The evident insufficiency in source identification and the methodological inconsistencies observed in previous studies on al-Bûnî further underscore the significance of this research. Through a critical perspective, the study addresses contradictions in existing texts and brings to light several neglected aspects in the current scholarship. The thesis is structured into three main chapters. The first chapter evaluates al-Bûnî's life and works based on classical biographical sources, manuscript copies, and authorship records, and categorizes his works according to the degree of authenticity attributed to him. The second chapter focuses on his Sufi thought, particularly through the lens of the concept of tahalluq. The third chapter elaborates on his views of spiritual realization and human perfection, centered on the concept of tahaqquq. The findings of the study reveal that al-Bûnî occupies a distinctive place in the history of Sufism and in the broader tradition of Islamic knowledge and wisdom. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the necessity of developing a critical sensitivity toward issues such as textual corruption, anachronism, historical inconsistencies, and inaccuracies in source attribution. In this respect, the dissertation aims to offer a more accurate and methodologically sound reassessment of al-Bûnî's scholarly legacy. Keywords: Sufism, Bûnî, Shams al-Ma'arif, Asma al-Husna, Ilm al-Huruf.