Nationalizing the religion: Sufism in the 'Persianate World'

This article offers a critical analysis of the notion of “Persianate Sufism” and its intersection with language, religion, and ethnicity. It begins by tracing the origin of the Persianate World, a term coined by Marshal Hodgson, and how Iranian scholars and historians have utilized it to promote a Persian-centric reading of religious texts across a vast region of Asia. We argue that the Persianate World echoes a Eurocentric and Orientalist model of knowledge that produces a skewed and exoticized representation of non-Persian histories and memories, overlooking their distinctive cultural contributions.We suggest that Sufism is not a monolithic phenomenon that can be reduced to or summed up under a single linguistic or cultural expression but rather a dynamic and multifaceted spiritual path that transcends linguistic and cultural boundaries. In this regard, our study invites a critical revision of the broad generalizations and cultural domination that the Persianate World concept entails, emphasizing the need for a more nuanced understanding of the diverse cultures and languages in Iran and beyond.