Abu Mansur al-Isfahani and his Nahj al-Khass: Text and textual analysis

The 4th century of the Islamic calendar is a period of special importance in the history of Sufism. The works that we now refer to as Sufi classics were written during this period, and important Sufis and authors emerged during this time. Abu Mansur al-Isfahani is also a sufi who continued his life and scientific activities in this period. The main subject of our study is to determine the effects and contributions of Abu Mansûr al-Isfahani's work called Nahj al-Khass to the sufi literature. In addition, Abu Mansûr's life and works were also examined in terms of being the author of Nehcü'l-hâss. In this framework, the study consists of introduction, chapter and conclusion parts. The introduction section presents the subject, purpose, significance, and methodology of the study. It also provides an overview of the sources used in the research. In the first chapter, the political, social, and religious situation of Isfahan during the 4th century of the Islamic calendar is examined. Subsequently, the life, scholarly environment, and works of Abu Mansur al-Isfahani are studied to determine his Sufi portrait and his place in the history of Sufism in terms of influence and contributions. The second chapter focuses on Nahj al-Khass. Firstly, the concepts of spiritual states and stations in Sufism are discussed, along with the development of literature encompassing these concepts. Then, Nahj al-Khass is thoroughly examined in terms of its form and content. The position of the work within the literature, as well as its impact and contributions to subsequent works, are presented with examples. The third chapter includes the Arabic text of Nahj al-Khass and its Turkish translation, aiming to further familiarize the reader with its content. By comparing three available copies of Nahj al-Khass any variations in wording are analyzed and highlighted. In the conclusion of the study, it is concluded that Abu Mansur's understanding of Sufism was centered on the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet, and that his ideas influenced subsequent authors, as evidenced in their works. It is also concluded that Nahj al-Khass influenced later works in terms of form and content. Keywords: Abu Mansur al-Isfahani, Sufism, Sufic, Nahj al-khass, Ahwāl and Maqāmāt