Sanctity in the Medieval Muslim West: Questions of Genre, Cultural and Religious Identity

Dear Colleagues,

It is essential to recognize that behind the interest in studying Sufism lie several motivations, many of which are rooted in political considerations, as is well known, alongside scientific reasons. Concerning the political motivations, we can mention the conflicts surrounding the legitimacy of Arab–Muslim governments, which have been challenged by Islamist groups. This tension has prompted some states to promote research into Sufism as a moderate pathway to practicing Islam, distancing themselves from the orthodoxy that many perceive as extremist in its interpretation of religious laws and norms.

In recent years, we have witnessed an extraordinary surge in studies related to Sufism, mysticism, and hagiographic literature. These areas of study are understood not only as a literary genre but also as fertile ground for cross-disciplinary investigations. These studies explore the individual and collective identities of the groups around which much hagiographic writing has been composed, particularly within Western Europe and the Iberian Peninsula. The popular veneration of saints, almost universally extended across time and space and traditionally associated with the exemplary nature of their lives and their thaumaturgic capacities, has attracted the attention of scholars such as Lawrence S. Cunningham ("A Decade of Research") and Ángel Gómez Moreno ("Claves Hagiográficas"), among many others. They challenge the notion that these functions are merely superficial, proposing instead that saints serve as crucial conciliatory agents in conflicts, contributing to increased social cohesion as well as personal and familial well-being, as highlighted by Matilde Fernández in her study on Feminine Hagiographies. Culturally refined and popular traditions intertwine to mutually reinforce each other in the creation of hagiographic legends as well as the development and sustenance of the main personal and social expressions associated with them.

This Special Issue aims to provide a space for reflection, closely examining the various expressions of Muslim religiosity linked to Sufism, sainthood, and gender. These manifestations are deeply intertwined with the political, social, and religious history of the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula—both in their Andalusian phases and subsequent developments. Attention will be given to both individual and collective religious expressions, including masculine and feminine dimensions, as well as issues related to symbolism and questions of cultural and religious identity.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor (raelhour@usal.es; mmarin67@movistar.es) or to the of Religions Editorial Office (religions@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purpose of ensuring that they properly fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Rachid El Hour
Prof. Dr. Manuela Marín
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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• sufism
• hagiographies
• male and female saints
• gender
• Maghreb and Al-Andalus
• medieval period