Fadlallah Al-Hurufi and His World: Power, Religion, and Sufism

This article discusses Fadlallah al-Hurufi's relations with political and religious circles in detail from his early youth when he left Astarabad, until his execution at the behest of Miranshah, Timur's son, in 796/1394. The common opinion of why Fadlallah was executed is considered to be either his superstitious ideas or his pursuit of some messianic, and thus power-related, goals. We tried to find some clues to confute such stereotypical approaches. To this end, we tried to determine Fadlallah's view and stance in regard to power by taking into consideration his relationships with statesmen. It was the 'ulama' and the sufis who played the most critical and significant role in Fadlallah's relationships with commoners and statesmen, as well as in his execution. That is why we have placed special emphasis on Fadlallah's ties with the 'ulama' and sufi circles. We discuss how the 'ulama' and sufis tried to disqualify the other flourishing rival groups in the period leading up to Fadlallah's execution.