Tasawuf Dalam Pandangan Orientalis: Antara Objektivitas Akademik Dan Bias Peradaban

Abstract

This research discusses the orientalist view of Sufism and the objectivity of the
study of orientalism in understanding Islamic spirituality. Sufism is one of the
important dimensions of Islamic teachings that emphasizes the purification of
the soul, the formation of morals, and the approach of oneself to Allah. In its
development, Sufism became the object of attention of Western orientalists
who sought to study the history, teachings, and figures of Sufi through various
academic approaches. The study of orientalism made a major contribution to
the development of Islamic studies, especially through the translation of
classical manuscripts, scientific research, and the introduction of Sufism to the
Western world. However, the study also raises various debates because some
orientalists are considered to have a civilizational bias in understanding
Sufism. Some orientalists view Sufism as the result of the influence of
traditions outside of Islam such as Neo-Platonism, Christianity, Hinduism,
and Persia, while Muslim scholars assert that Sufism has a strong foundation
in the Qur'an and Hadith. Data were obtained from books, journals, scientific
articles, and works by Muslim orientalists and scholars related to the research
theme. The analysis technique used is descriptive-critical analysis to
understand the contribution as well as criticize the objectivity of the study of
orientalism on Sufism. The results of the study show that orientalism has two
different sides, namely making a great academic contribution to the study of
Sufism while giving birth to interpretations that are sometimes influenced by
Western perspectives and interests. Therefore, the study of orientalism on
Sufism needs to be understood critically and proportionately so that Sufism is
still understood as an integral part of Islamic teachings and is inseparable from
its spiritual, theological, and moral dimensions.