The Doctrine of One Actor: Junayd’s View of Unity (Tawhīd)

Abstract

The most oustanding figure among the early sufis is undoubtedly Junayd's. More than any other of that age he contributed to the growth of what constitutes the mainstream of sufism. The famous eighteenth century lndian scholar and sufi, Waliy Allah (d. 1176/1762), in an exceedingly illuminating review of the development of sufism, describes Junayd's contribution as follows: "All founders of sufi tariqahs and expounders of sufi doctrines, or at least the majority of them, agree on the fundamental principles of the sufi tariqah, even though they differ with regards to the methods of their practical realization. These fundamental principles are associated with the name of Junayd, the leader of the sufi community (Sayyid 'l-ta'ifah); for, most of these principles have been formulated by him. The sufis of his age turned to him, and in fact all sufi orders originate from him, except of course such leaders as claim to have no teacher."

Keywords

• junayd al-baghdadi
• tawhid
• the doctrine of one actor