The Impact of the Mongol Invasion on Religious Life and Sūfism in Khurasan

This study investigates the impact of the Mongol invasion on the religious life and sufi structures in the Khurasan region. Beginning in the early 13th century, this invasion led to profound transformations in Khurasan, a key center of Islamic civilization regarding knowledge and spirituality. The study's primary aim is to analyze the consequences of this devastation not only on the material level but also on the spiritual and social dimensions, focusing specifically on sufism. The study uses a qualitative research method to evaluate historical sources from the period, sufi literature, and contemporary academic approaches. The content includes an overview of the historical development of sufi life in Khurasan and the social functions of sufis while also discussing the effects of the Mongol invasion on these structures. Additionally, the study emphasizes the intellectual migrations that occurred following the invasion and the spread of sufis to other regions, particularly Anatolia. Ultimately, the study reveals that the destructive impact of the Mongol invasion did not lead to a decline in religious structures but triggered a transformation and reconstruction process. sufi figures became spiritual sanctuaries for the people; during this period, sufism evolved into a means of resistance and social cohesion, gaining broader dissemination and institutionalization throughout the Islamic world.