The problem of the origin of tasawwuf in early orientalist studies

In this study, the theories of the researchers in the early period of orientalism about the origin of taṣawwuf were examined in three sided: The emergence, development and problems of the theories. It has been observed that the views of the researchers on the problem in question have become clear within a certain approach in time. It has been determined that the first owner of the view and approaches on the backbone of this clarification is Kremer. Snowball sampling was used by taking Kremer as the center in this study. In this respect, Kremer's views were examined in comparison with the views of Goldziher, Browne and Nicholson, who came later. Consequently, it was determined that Kremer's views were repeated and strengthened by the references and foundations of the researchers in question and thus his views turned into a theory that became clearer. This theory has three basic pillars: Christianity, Neoplatonism and Buddhism. With the clarification of the theories, it has become more evident that the claims of orientalists about the origin of taṣawwuf are the extension of their approaches towards Islam in a larger scale. In this respect, it has appeared that the orientalists, who do not accept that Islam has a authentic field, primarily focused on the issue of origin in their sufi studies. On the other hand, some fractures appeared on the developing theories related to taṣawwuf literature in the early period. It has been understood that the theories of orientalists about the origin of taṣawwuf weakened with these fractures, and a new viewpoint about taṣawwuf was progressed in connection with this situation. As a result, this study shows that the claims of orientalists about the origin of taṣawwuf had turned into a vicious circle in process between the fractures related to the literature in question and their general approaches about Islam.