Shaykh Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari, a Moroccan-born Sufi teacher and founder of the Karkariya Sufi order (established in 2007), and the Al-Karkari Institute for Sufi Studies (established in 2023), recently led a series of workshops at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. The Karkariya order traces its spiritual lineage through classical Sufi traditions and emphasizes direct experience of divine reality. Its affiliated institute works to bring Sufi knowledge into contemporary academic and cultural settings. These December 2024 events exemplified the Institute’s ongoing mission to advance emic (insider) perspectives in the study of Sufism, aiming to challenge predominantly Western-centric or reductionist approaches within Islamic studies.
Engaging with al-Hallaj at Stanford
On December 12, 2024, Stanford University hosted a workshop focusing on the poetry of the renowned Islamic mystic al-Hallaj (d. 922), whose writings remain central to understanding the heart of Sufi spirituality. Attendees—ranging from Stanford scholars to visiting academics from Yale and Harvard Universities—explored themes of fanāʼ (self-annihilation) and divine witnessing. For readers unfamiliar with these terms, fanāʼ refers to the dissolution of the individual ego in the presence of the Divine, while divine witnessing involves profound spiritual insight into the presence of God in all aspects of existence.
Shaykh al-Karkari’s analysis illuminated al-Hallaj’s philosophical and ethical dimensions, prompting robust discussion on the concepts’ relevance to contemporary debates on subjectivity, transcendence, and moral responsibility. Participants examined how these themes resonate beyond historical contexts, informing modern spiritual seekers and scholars alike. To ground the conversation, Shaykh al-Karkari recited from his own poem in The Chalices of Spirits, reading lines that conveyed the theme of divine love as a luminous presence in the heart of the seeker. For example, a short excerpt of what was shared of his writings:
Engaging with al-Hallaj at Stanford
On December 12, 2024, Stanford University hosted a workshop focusing on the poetry of the renowned Islamic mystic al-Hallaj (d. 922), whose writings remain central to understanding the heart of Sufi spirituality. Attendees—ranging from Stanford scholars to visiting academics from Yale and Harvard Universities—explored themes of fanāʼ (self-annihilation) and divine witnessing. For readers unfamiliar with these terms, fanāʼ refers to the dissolution of the individual ego in the presence of the Divine, while divine witnessing involves profound spiritual insight into the presence of God in all aspects of existence.
Shaykh al-Karkari’s analysis illuminated al-Hallaj’s philosophical and ethical dimensions, prompting robust discussion on the concepts’ relevance to contemporary debates on subjectivity, transcendence, and moral responsibility. Participants examined how these themes resonate beyond historical contexts, informing modern spiritual seekers and scholars alike. To ground the conversation, Shaykh al-Karkari recited from his own poem in The Chalices of Spirits, reading lines that conveyed the theme of divine love as a luminous presence in the heart of the seeker. For example, a short excerpt of what was shared of his writings:
“Beyond the seven gardens — and the throne, and the pedestal
Shone forth, the secret of Ihsan — My sun was set ablaze”
Shone forth, the secret of Ihsan — My sun was set ablaze”
This connection between classical and contemporary Sufi poetry underscored the living nature of these traditions in academic environments.
Exploring Abu Madyan’s Legacy at UC Berkeley
On December 14, 2024, a second workshop took place at UC Berkeley, turning the spotlight on the Sevillian Sufi master Abu Madyan al-Ghawth (d. 1198). Widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the Maghrebi Sufi tradition, Abu Madyan’s teachings bridge devotional practice and philosophical inquiry. The workshop centered on his poem When I Remember My Lord, which Shaykh al-Karkari situated within its historical and intellectual setting.
Here, the Shaykh highlighted Abu Madyan’s role as both a teacher and exemplar, focusing on the pedagogy of ontological poverty—an ethical and spiritual ethos where one recognizes absolute dependence on God—and the practical discipline of dhikr (the remembrance of God through repeated invocation of divine names or attributes). To clarify, dhikr is a core Sufi practice aimed at maintaining constant awareness of the Divine, often through recitation and contemplation.
Shaykh al-Karkari explained Abu Madyan’s theology, emphasizing the primordiality of divine essence, attributes, names, and actions as an indivisible whole. In this vision, God alone truly exists, while all creation is a mere trace, a reflection of divine disclosure in the cosmic mirror. The ensuing discussion, enriched by questions from both established scholars and graduate students, illustrated how classical texts still inform contemporary understandings of religious epistemology, moral philosophy, and mystical experience. Attendees grappled with how to translate this intricate theology into modern philosophical discourse and how to appreciate its relevance without distorting its original spiritual significance.
Interdisciplinary and Emic Approaches
These workshops form part of the Al-Karkari Institute’s broader initiative to foster dialogue between traditional Sufi practitioners and academic scholars—regardless of their personal religious affiliation. Marouen Jedoui, a PhD candidate in religious studies at Yale, facilitated translation and interpretation. His role exemplified the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that the Shaykh’s perspectives were communicated accurately and that specialized Islamic metaphysical terms were rendered meaningfully for an academic audience.
This careful mediation underscored the methodological challenges inherent in bringing insider knowledge into academic frameworks. While scholarly studies often favor analytical distance, an emic approach seeks to respect Sufism’s internal coherence and spiritual realities. The result is a more nuanced understanding of Sufi literature and practice, one that honors the lived dimensions of mysticism rather than reducing it to historical data points or abstract theories.
Rethinking Religious Knowledge Production
The workshops at Stanford and UC Berkeley raise broader questions about how religious knowledge is produced, disseminated, and understood in contemporary society. As the humanities face calls for more inclusive, decolonized, and ethically sensitive methodologies, initiatives like those by the Al-Karkari Institute challenge existing paradigms. They encourage scholars to move beyond exoticizing or reductive interpretations and to engage directly with practitioners who embody and transmit long-standing intellectual and spiritual traditions.
Exploring Abu Madyan’s Legacy at UC Berkeley
On December 14, 2024, a second workshop took place at UC Berkeley, turning the spotlight on the Sevillian Sufi master Abu Madyan al-Ghawth (d. 1198). Widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the Maghrebi Sufi tradition, Abu Madyan’s teachings bridge devotional practice and philosophical inquiry. The workshop centered on his poem When I Remember My Lord, which Shaykh al-Karkari situated within its historical and intellectual setting.
Here, the Shaykh highlighted Abu Madyan’s role as both a teacher and exemplar, focusing on the pedagogy of ontological poverty—an ethical and spiritual ethos where one recognizes absolute dependence on God—and the practical discipline of dhikr (the remembrance of God through repeated invocation of divine names or attributes). To clarify, dhikr is a core Sufi practice aimed at maintaining constant awareness of the Divine, often through recitation and contemplation.
Shaykh al-Karkari explained Abu Madyan’s theology, emphasizing the primordiality of divine essence, attributes, names, and actions as an indivisible whole. In this vision, God alone truly exists, while all creation is a mere trace, a reflection of divine disclosure in the cosmic mirror. The ensuing discussion, enriched by questions from both established scholars and graduate students, illustrated how classical texts still inform contemporary understandings of religious epistemology, moral philosophy, and mystical experience. Attendees grappled with how to translate this intricate theology into modern philosophical discourse and how to appreciate its relevance without distorting its original spiritual significance.
Interdisciplinary and Emic Approaches
These workshops form part of the Al-Karkari Institute’s broader initiative to foster dialogue between traditional Sufi practitioners and academic scholars—regardless of their personal religious affiliation. Marouen Jedoui, a PhD candidate in religious studies at Yale, facilitated translation and interpretation. His role exemplified the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that the Shaykh’s perspectives were communicated accurately and that specialized Islamic metaphysical terms were rendered meaningfully for an academic audience.
This careful mediation underscored the methodological challenges inherent in bringing insider knowledge into academic frameworks. While scholarly studies often favor analytical distance, an emic approach seeks to respect Sufism’s internal coherence and spiritual realities. The result is a more nuanced understanding of Sufi literature and practice, one that honors the lived dimensions of mysticism rather than reducing it to historical data points or abstract theories.
Rethinking Religious Knowledge Production
The workshops at Stanford and UC Berkeley raise broader questions about how religious knowledge is produced, disseminated, and understood in contemporary society. As the humanities face calls for more inclusive, decolonized, and ethically sensitive methodologies, initiatives like those by the Al-Karkari Institute challenge existing paradigms. They encourage scholars to move beyond exoticizing or reductive interpretations and to engage directly with practitioners who embody and transmit long-standing intellectual and spiritual traditions.
In doing so, these events contribute to ongoing scholarly debates on how best to incorporate religious voices into academic discourse. The involvement of Yale and Harvard affiliates, for instance, highlighted how established scholars welcomed opportunities to test their hypotheses against genuine spiritual lineages rather than relying solely on historical documentation. By centering emic perspectives, these encounters foster a richer intellectual environment—one that allows the study of Islamic mysticism to unfold with academic rigor, cultural sensitivity, and spiritual depth.
A Living Tradition for Contemporary Challenges
By positioning Sufism as both a historical and living tradition, the recent California workshops underscore the need to broaden Islamic studies beyond narrow paradigms. This approach nurtures a deeper understanding of the intellectual currents that have shaped Sufism over the centuries and continue to do so today. It also recognizes the transformative potential of mysticism in addressing urgent contemporary challenges—whether those lie in interreligious dialogue, ethical leadership, or community-building.
In a time often marked by misunderstanding, polarization, and spiritual disconnection, Sufism’s emphasis on empathy, humility, and contemplative insight provides valuable lessons. The Al-Karkari Institute’s endeavors demonstrate how classical texts, recited and interpreted by living masters, can speak to modern audiences. Rather than confining mysticism to the past, these engagements illuminate its enduring relevance, inspiring self-awareness, moral integrity, and inclusivity. Such work not only enriches academic inquiry but also holds promise for building more harmonious and compassionate communities worldwide.
About Al-Karkari Institute
The Al-Karkari Institute aims to engage in research and discourse on the diverse dimensions of Sufism. By exploring the historical significance and contemporary relevance of tasawwuf, we aim to illuminate the path of Islamic inner transformation for a global audience of seekers. For more information about Al-Karkari Institute and their initiatives, visit https://www.karkari.org.
