A Manuscript about Sufi Sheikh Miracles from R. Fakhretdinov's Archive in the Collection of the IOM, RAS

Abstract

Rizaeddin Fakhretdinov (1859–1936) is one of the most prominent figures among Muslim scholars at the turn of the 19–20th cc. whose sphere of scientific interests was biographies. Among the materials of R. Fakhretdinov on the preparation of his famous work “Asar” there are texts related to Sufism, and of particular interest are descriptions of the miracles performed by Muslim righteous men. One of the documents about the miraculous deeds of a righteous man named Abd al-Latif b. Subhankul b. Ramkul under the title (Fī bayān manāqib ‘al-'imām ‘al-shaiḫ ‘al-kāmil) “Explanation of the virtues of al-Imam al-Sheikh al-Kamil” (the Imam, the Sheikh who should be followed) is stored in the Institute of Oriental Manuscripts in the archive of R. Fakhretdinov (Fund 131, Inventory 1). The stories in many ways resemble or even coincide with similar Sufi texts from other Muslim countries. This is a sign of cultural and ideological interaction between brotherhoods, as well as transmission of the perfect image of Sufi righteous men. In addition, miracles and their number enhanced the importance of a sheikh — mentor in the eyes of his followers and made his authority undeniable. It is worth mentioning that the text is written in a good Arabic literary language, which testifies to a high education level of the author. The present article contains a short biography of Rizaeddin Fakhretdinov, facsimile publication of the text and its translation into English.