What question did this study set out to answer?

To explore the development and revision of Imamology in Twelver Shīʿism during the Il-Khanid period.

April 3, 2026Open Access

The Influence of Philosophy and Sufism on the Imamology of Twelver Shīʿism in the 14th Century

Key Points

To explore the development and revision of Imamology in Twelver Shīʿism during the Il-Khanid period.
Historical analysis of theological texts from the Il-Khanid period
Examination of philosophical integration by Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī and al-ʿAllāma al-Ḥillī
Assessment of Sufi influences on Shīʿite theology
Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī and al-ʿAllāma al-Ḥillī largely maintained traditional Imamology despite philosophical influences.
Most Twelver theologians initially resisted Sufi ideas in their theology until the emergence of Ḥaydar Āmulī.
Ḥaydar Āmulī's views indicate a significant shift towards integrating Sufism into Shīʿite thought.

Abstract

Although Imamology has always been central to the theological doctrines of Twelver Shīʿism (al-Ithnā ʿAsharīya), the matter of how it was developed and revised during the Il-Khanid period has not yet been satisfyingly studied. According to previous research, although Naṣīr al-Dīn al-Ṭūsī (d. 1274) and his disciple al-ʿAllāma al-Ḥillī (d. 1325) tried to integrate the Islamic philosophy which had been systematized by Ibn Sīnā (d. 1037) into their traditional theology, the philosophy had little effect on their Imamology. With regard to theologians’ attitude to Sufism, it has been the common view that most Twelver thinkers did not approve of merging Sufiideas into their theology before Ḥaydar Āmulī (d. 1385), who is known as a Shīʿite adherent of Ibn ʿArabī (d. 1240).

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