Exploring the Publication Trends of Ṣūfī Studies in European Languages: A Research-Based Analysis

Abstract

This paper examines the publication trends of Ṣūfī studies in European languages, analysing the development and dissemination of research work on Sufism in Europe from historical and contemporary perspectives. Sufism has been the interest of the Western academia as reflected in the publication of Western writes. Their approach to perceiving the phenomenon of Sufism remained different in terms of their cultural, religious, and empirical context. The study investigates the thematic focus, methodologies, and cultural contexts influencing the publication of Ṣūfī studies in European languages, highlighting key authors, and publishers involved in this field. By conducting a comprehensive literature review and bibliometric analysis, the paper identifies shifts in scholarly interest and the evolution of discourse around Sufism in European academic circles. The findings reveal the unavailability of authentic classical Ṣūfī texts based on the principles of the divine law and prophetic conduct as a gap that led to a specific comprehension of Sufism in Western literature from cultural exchange, academic scholarship, and the broader socio-political landscape in shaping the study of Sufism in Europe. This research contributes to a better understanding of how Ṣūfī studies have been approached, perceived, and evolved in the European scholarly community, providing insights into the future directions of this dynamic field.