The Sociological Approach to Sufism in Orientalists’ Researchs Based on Their Khanqah Studies

   Due to the constant presence of mystical attitude in the individual and social conscience of Iranians, in the flowology of Iranian cultural events, the nature and functions of the school of Sufism must always analyzed. Orientalists in the study and analysis of Iranian-Islamic Sufism have used various comparative studies, approaches and research methodologies. Mysticism, from the perspective of society and the masses, is an important part of Orientalist research. Using descriptive-analytical method and using library resources; the present paper seeks to analyze the sociological approach in the mystical researches of Orientalists. Through this critical exploration, this article has tried to reveal thee compatibility and divergence of Sufism and society in their research. The system of Sheikhdom, the freedom of religions, and the essence of Sama are prominent in the Orientalists’ Khanqah studies. A careful examination of their research reveals the “connection between Sufism and Fotovvat”. The results of this study show that the majority of orientalists value the Khanqah mass-oriented Sufism and the general tendency of people to Sufism due to the social equality of the classes, and on the other hand, have criticized the tendency of the Mashayekhs to the power. In their view, although the foundations of Sufism Fotovvat have formed the basis of Sufism's social popularity; nevertheless, due to its avoidance of indulgence in Sufism, the elitism of mysticism in the first period of Sufism had results that were more effective.